“I have always aspired to stay in this community and give back, everyone here has such a tight-knit bond,” he said. He said his interest in owning Old World Deli came from his past experiences at the deli and his desire to provide a new spot for community members to make memories. Jicha said his long-term goals for the deli are to create more of a “hangout atmosphere” and eventually open a food truck. In the past, the deli catered a Super Bowl party for the nonprofit organization Mom’s House in Johnson City, and they plan to support more events like that in the future. The Create-a-Sandwich contest is just one of the few ways Jicha plans to get Old World Deli more involved in the community. The winner will be announced on April 2 and the creator of the best-selling sandwich will win a free footlong sandwich each week for a year.

The sandwiches will also be judged on their “wow” factor, taste and creativeness. For each week of the contest, one sandwich will be featured in the restaurant and the sandwich that sells the most at the end of the contest will be the overall winner. That’s one thing the other manager didn’t do.” I have definitely seen a lot more people come in because advertised it. “And starting next week, we’re gonna start making them. “We have quite a few sandwiches that people have already dropped in the box,” Rojas said. “I wondered how I could bring that here and I realized we have sandwiches and people can create their own.”Īnyone in the Southern Tier who is interested in trying their hand at creating a new sandwich is welcome to submit their creation in person at the Old World Deli or online through their Facebook page or their website, .Ĭesar Rojas, a 12-year veteran cook at Old World Deli, said he is excited about the crowds this competition will bring in. “We did a lot of contests there and I always thought it was a cool way to get the community involved in your business,” he said. Jicha got the idea for the Create-a-Sandwich competition from his experience as director of business operations for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. We will also be open for brunch on Sundays.” “We are joining the bar scene here in Downtown Binghamton. “The only major change since my new ownership is that we are open on the weekends now - Friday and Saturday until 4 a.m.,” Jicha said. Jicha grew up in Conklin, New York and studied economics at Binghamton University before he took over the management of Old World Deli on Jan. Aside from making subs, the restaurant serves up fresh soups, salads and desserts. He’s looking to bring something to the area that chain sandwich shops like Subway or Jimmy John’s can’t he said he values the individual attention and quality each sandwich receives. “I am proud to be a member of the Southern Tier and will strive to provide the community the quality food and service it deserves.” “Being a native of the Southern Tier, I understand the strength in the community,” Jicha said in a news release.

But for new owner Jordan Jicha, ’15, it’s much more. Old World Deli is under new ownership and is looking to expand its menu with a Create-a-Sandwich contest.Īt first glance, the deli on Court Street may seem like a run-of-the-mill sandwich shop.

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