By Andrea Gregory

It was 25 years ago when Victor and Rosa Moccia opened a mom and pop shop in Ball Square. The Italian couple hung up a sign at 710 Broadway. It was the start of Victor’s  Deli. It was the sign of the American dream.

Dad was a butcher his whole life, said their son Mike Moccia who now plays a major role in running the family business. Mom came from a family of six kids and learned cooking from home. There was no goal. It was just let’s go put our heart and soul into it.

Mike Moccia said his family story is one that shows big business is not always what is best for the local community.

We are old school, said the young Moccia. We‚ are making the food the right way. We have a good reputation.

Back in the days when Victor’s Deli was just starting to form its reputation and its local popularity was simmering with the community, Mike Moccia can remember being in the shop. He said his memories stretch back to when he was too short to see over the counter. The store was different then, he said.

His father had originally used the space to sell meat, grinding the hamburger and offering homemade sausages. He said his dad wasn’t really thinking of opening the store until he saw 710 Broadway was vacant. That’s  when the wheels started turning and soon after meat grinders started tuning. Victor’s was open for several years before it became a destination stop for lunch and dinner with eat in and take out.

It wasn’t what it is today, said Mike Moccia.

There’s a story to the evolution of the restaurant celebrating its silver anniversary. Mike Moccia said it goes something like this. His dad was upfront at the counter. His mother was out back making a sauce for the family dinner that night. The fumes of old Italian cooking secrets and traditional wholesome food carried on a breeze to the front of the store. A customer smelled Rosa Moccia’ s blend of herbs and spices swimming in a sea of delicious. It was irresistible. The woman who stopped in to buy a fresh cut of the day couldn’t help but ask what smelt so good. Then she couldn’t help but ask if she could have some.

Mike Moccia said his mother spoke rocky English when she told the customer she was only cooking for her family‚ supper. However, it did not stop her from searching for some sort of container to share her brewing sauce with the customer. The customer left the shop with her meat and complimentary sauce that day. Then she came back for more.

Soon the community would be stopping in for Rosa Moccia’s cooking creations.

As a cook you learn from trying. You use your imagination said Mike Moccia who probably inherited a few genes from his mother that now help him in the kitchen.

Today, still a family business, Mike and Rosa Moccia are often both back in the kitchen. Homemade meals have become Victor’s Deli’s specialty.

So what does 25 years in business really mean for the family who made it?

We are just everyday people, said Mike Moccia. We love to see someone happy. I  putting food in your mouth. If that makes you happy, that’s awesome.