LOVE OF COUNTRY
EDGMONT » Most people call the Delaware County
911 Center to ask for help. Dawn Carroll phoned to offer it.
Carroll and her husband Bryan, who operate the Country Deli, told staff at the Emergency Services Center challenged by restaurant and sandwich shop closings due to the COVID-19 virus that their dining troubles were over.
The Carrolls donated specially prepared takeout dishes from the family operated Country Deli, a three-minute drive south on Route 352 if you hit the only traffic signal along the way.
“I noticed that all of the hospitals were being taken care of, so we adopted the
911 Center,” Dawn Carroll said. “They’ve been great customers of ours and they’ve kind of been forgotten through this. Three shifts, about 75 people, and now we’re going to feed the crime lab, the Delaware County Medical Examiner, this week. We’re going to get them all on board.”
In addition to the 911 Center, the Country Deli is accommodating Troop K of the Pennsylvania State Police. Breakfast fans with Western Omelet appetites, the cops cannot enjoy the sit-down meals of months past. Judging by a recent visit, troopers appreciate the thoughtfulness of the to-go option.
“It’s a super-nice thing with all the difficult times going on now, for the small businesses to offer their support to the people that work on the front lines,” said a trooper who asked to remain anonymous. “Sometimes these small businesses don’t necessarily get all the financial support during these tough times. Especially the small delis. Their act of kindness will make us come back even when things are up and going.”
The Country Deli has reinvented itself during the coronavirus shutdown, transitioning to a takeout operation from a dine-in establishment where it wasn’t uncommon for celebrities to drop in and enjoy the steak - just not the public sizzle, if you will.
The list of luminaries who visited during the 38 years the Carroll family has operated it includes, among others, Phillies World Series MVP Cole Hamels and teammate Shane Victorino. The celebrated Flying Hawaiin enjoyed it so much he brought a bunch of Boston Red Sox teammates with him after they won a World Series.
Another
interesting guest was actor Andrew Shue, who was Billy Campbell on “Melrose Place” and now owns the popular website CafeMom.com.
Actor Richard Gere was so impressed with the ambiance and the food at the Country Deli he wanted to film scenes here from the motion picture “The Benefactor.” Gere settled for shooting the automobile crash scene that flashed through the movie on neighboring Sycamore Mills Road in Glen Mills.
Though the loyal customers still show up, and in many cases donate to feed the 911 Center, the Country Deli is having the same tough times other food businesses are due to health regulations and executive orders that restrict them from doing anything more than takeout.
Nonetheless the Country Deli has a wide range of foods to satisfy appetites. In addition to the regular menu, specials are tailored to days of the week. The trademark pumpkin muffins, cinnamon buns and gourmet pancakes are popular, as are Pasta Nights.
There’s a mini grocery with all types of products including locally produced milk, specialty condiments., bread, prepared meals even toilet paper.
In a typical week, the Country Deli feeds around 300 first responders, call center staffers and police. The deli partnered with the Front Line Appreciation Group (FLAG) of Southeastern Pennsylvania to supply meals to other institutions.
The Country Deli went out of its way to help the 911 call center staff have a happy Easter, as it delivered a hot breakfast to the midnight shift and a ham dinner for the midday and evening shifts. None of that went unnoticed.
“I happen to be the beneficiary of one of their hamburgers,” said Timothy Boyce, Delaware County’s director of emergency services. “It was fabulous. We get random deliveries from people. We get pizzas and cookies and cakes and stuff, and it’s very much appreciated. But to feel adopted, to feel that they’re making it expressly for us and going out of their way to do it and people are donating money to help them do it, that connectivity is really unique. We’re grateful for everything they do for us. It’s a home-cooked meal to us.”
Bryan Carroll, who played football and baseball at Strath Haven High, works the grill at the Country Deli. The place has been a dream come true for him. Carroll was a customer when he dropped by and met Dawn. Sons Aidan and Nolan, who played basketball at nearby Penncrest High School, are always stopping in with their friends.
The Country Deli is composed largely of family staffers dating back to 1982, when the late Don Butler bought it.
The loyalty, the togetherness runs through the staff. No one has pushed harder or done more to help the first responders than Daneen MacDonald Pierangeli of Wallingford, who is part of the current staff.
“We appreciate what they do on a daily basis,” she said. “It’s our way of saying thank you.”