A Clarkston Gem
Brioni Cafe & Deli Served First Smiles in June 2005
To celebrate 20 years in business, I thought it would be fun to reprint an article introducing Larry and Louise Stakle back in November of 2005. Who knew at that time that they would still be the best deli around - with no plans to close their doors for years to come! If you're a customer, you'll realize things are pretty much the same today as they were back then. Let's read:
Larry and Louise Stakle try to put a little bit of home into everything they make at Brioni Café and Deli.
From their fresh deli sandwiches and cool salads to their hot soups and drinks - the couple draws upon their heritage and their love of good food and fine products.
"Both my husband and I wanted to bring a little bit of the old world food finds right here in Clarkston." said Louise. "We wanted to create a place where customers are surrounded by exceptional food, taste and smells of the world - give the place a homelike feeling. Most of all, we greet every customer with a personal welcome. We want our guests to feel like royalty."
Larry and Louise immigrated separately to the U.S. from Macedonia in the late 1960's; Larry when he was 18 and Louise at age 13. The couple met here in the U.S. at church and were married in 1976.
Larry retired from Daimler Chrysler after 32 years. Louise worked in the banking industry for over 10 years and took time to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. Now, with the opening of Brioni's on June 6, she is a fourth generation bakery/deli owner.
"We have lived in the Clarkston area for eight years and knew there was a need for this type of deli." said Louise. "I like the small town feeling, everyone knows everyone, she added. I can give a personal touch to the service. I just love this town - this is just like where we grew up."
Brioni's offers a variety of deli sandwiches featuring Dietz and Watson Premium Meats and Cheeses (which are 97 percent fat free with no fillers) and Zingerman's Bakehouse bread from Ann Arbor.
"I chose these companies because of their quality," said Louise. "They offer the high standards and freshness we were looking for."
Brioni's Ruben is the signature sandwich with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye bread. However, the deli also offers everything from turkey and chicken to pork and fish as well, and can even accommodate vegetarians.
Not interested in a sandwich? Brioni's also offers several fresh salads (such as Cherry Bomb with Romaine lettuce and spring mix, dried cherries, granny smith apples, blue cheese, walnuts and a raspberry vinaigrette) and hot soups served with Zingerman's thick-sliced bread.
"Everything is made fresh here," said Louise. "Our salads are not done the day before or anything. It takes a little longer than fast food, but you get the quality and taste of homemade."
In addition to all this, Brioni's offers a full line of hot beverages featuring Lavazza Coffee, Ghirardelli Chocolate/Caramel 1883 Syrups.
Larry and Louise run Brioni Cafe and Deli with the assistance of their son Robert, a pre-med student at Wayne State University, and a staff of four employees. "Our employees are very special, they do their job well both in the kitchen and in the service area," said Louise.
"I would just like to say thank you to the wonderful Clarkston community. Everyone welcomed us from the start." Louise added. "My only home for the future is to continue to bring Clarkston the best food and service we can."
So, there you have it. Twenty years have gone by and Larry, Louise and Robert (who changed his major to marketing) and with their employees they treat like family - are still bringing the Clarkston community the best food and service for all of us to enjoy! Stop in and check out the menu that remains so much the same as when the doors opened back in June of 2005!