Think big, think Milton's - Deli thrives in Del Mar - The San Diego Union-Tribune

DEL MAR -- Diners in the mood for comfort food in large portionscan find it -- and more -- at Milton’s in Del Mar.“Basically, it is a ‘wow’ factor,” co-owner Milton's - Del Mar - The San Diego Union-Tribune - is a popular destination for comfort food in large portions. The restaurant, founded 11 years ago, serves an estimated 5,000 customers a week and has more than 100 items on its menu. It also sells a variety of freshly baked breads, such as the traditional Jewish Challah orhard-to-find products, and is also a catering service. The two owners, Barry Robbins and David Levy, credit longtime employees and friendly environment for making the business successful. The company's success can be determined by one thing: how often customers say, “Let's meet at Milton’s.”

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DEL MAR — Diners in the mood for comfort food in large portionscan find it — and more — at Milton’s in Del Mar.

“Basically, it is a ‘wow’ factor,” co-owner David Levy said.”They (customers) rarely finish, and a lot of doggie bags areneeded.”

The restaurant, founded 11 years ago, serves an estimated 5,000customers a week.

Levy and Barry Robbins, childhood friends from Chicago, businesspartners and now residents of Rancho Santa Fe, said that for NorthCounty residents, the name “Milton’s” triggers several images –restaurant, delicatessen, bakery and caterer.

That’s because Milton’s, named after Levy’s father, is all ofthose things.

For starters, the restaurant’s menu has more than 100 items,including customer favorites such as the freshly made matzo ballchicken broth soup, the traditional Cobb salad with thickly slicedbacon bits, and the Reuben sandwich on freshly baked rye bread.

“Once you taste it, you will know why,” Robbins said of theReuben’s popularity. “It’s one of the ultimate sandwiches.”

Then, the delicatessen sells numerous, freshly baked Jewishtreats, such as Hamantashen cookies for $1.95 each and assortedcream cheese-filled Rugelach for $11.95 a pound, as well as otherpastries such as lemon bars and macaroons. It also sells a varietyof freshly baked breads, such as the traditional Jewish Challah orhard-to-find products, including a variety of smoked salmon.

The smoked salmon selection is one of the largest in San Diego,according to Jim Kenny, the deli and catering manager.

Finally, Milton’s is also a catering service, which providesfoods for such events as weddings, bar mitzvahs and businessmeetings.

Consumers might recognize the name Milton’s on a line of breads,crackers and other foods sold in nationwide grocery and health-foodstores. Levy and Robbins sold off that part of the business twoyears ago and now focus on the restaurant and its services.

Levy, who oversees menu and food preparation, said therestaurant is known for selling a variety of “scratch cooking”traditional entrees, breakfast plates, Jewish specialty foods,healthy foods and approximately 20 freshly made salads.

Both Robbins and Levy credited longtime employees — more than50 percent have been with the restaurant since its opening — andthe friendly environment for making the business successful. Andthen there’s their partnership.

“I think Barry and I have this tremendous relationship,” Levysaid. “If all marriages were like our friendship, then there wouldbe a lot fewer divorces.”

Before Milton’s, the two men worked with two other people tocreate a successful business, Chicago Bros., which included fourpizzeria and Italian restaurants and distributed frozen foodsnationally. After it was sold, the pair worked for a time asconsultants for frozen-food company Schwan’s.

Levy said the company’s success can be determined by one thing– how often customers say, “Let’s meet at Milton’s.”

Contact freelance writer Shannon Wingard [email protected].

Name: Milton’s

Owners: Barry Robbins and David Levy

Address: 2660 Via de la Valle in Del Mar

Phone: (858) 792-2225

Hours: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to9:30 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Sunday

Established: 1996

Services: Serves, caters and sells a variety of freshly madeentrees, sandwiches, pastries, soups and other food

Number of employees: Approximately 100

Estimated sales for 2007: $5 million

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Topics: California, San Diego

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