The Evolution of the American Deli in Millburn-Short Hills

When two guys from New Jersey with almost 30 years of combined experience as chefs looked to open a restaurant in Short Hills, they decided on a deli but with a Mediterranean flare — taking the typical deli to the next level.

"I like to tell people it's the evolution of what an American style deli is," co-owner Alex Gomes said. 

Gomes, 31, of Caldwell, and his business partner Jose Nolasco, 27, of Kennilworth, opened EVO Delicacies on April 15 to bring a European-style store to Short Hills.

The deli, located at 40 Chatham Road in Short Hills, is a cross between a gourmet food shop and deli with Mediterranean style cheeses and meats, most of which are locally made. 

Customers can still stop in for what they would expect from a normal deli — subs, burgers, or grilled cheeses — but with local ingredients that most people wouldn't normally be able to get. 

"Its just a twist an American grilled cheese with two kinds of cheeses, both them are Spanish, with a tomato on Pullman loaf bread," Gomes explained. "A lot of our sandwiches are based off of what you would normally get in a traditional deli." 

They make their own burgers in house, which they take to the next level loading a fried egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and matchstick fries to make the Brazucaa, priced at $10. [Pictured]

Gomes explained that all the ingredients — choizo, prosciutto, olive oils, truffle oils and cherry vinegars to name a few — the store uses in the food, customers can buy for cooking at home. 

"We emphasize more on the Mediterranean style like over in Europe [a deli] is place where you can get your food but also purchase the item your eating," Gomes said. 

When customers buy the ingredients, cheeses, meats or oils, whether Gomes, Nolasco or the store's other employee Ahmad TariqTurner is working, customers can ask about anything and they'll know the answer.  

"You can come in ask about anything that we carry and all of us know every because we've used everything," Gomes said. "We know where the cheeses and meats come from so every time someone comes in we give them a little education on it." 

For more information head to their Facebook page for daily specials and hours.