11/18/2009
By Sandra Diamond Fox
Correspondent
Connecticut Post (USA)
In soon learned that his deli -- The Full Belly Deli on Padanaram Road in Danbury -- had been selected as "best deli" in The News-Times 2009 Readers' Choice Awards.
"I hadn't even known there was a contest," said In, 31, of Danbury.
More than 500 readers participated in the first-ever Readers' Choice Awards, casting more than 20,000 votes in 145 categories.
One reason In said he believes customers are attracted to his deli is because it offers healthier fare.
"We don't serve fried foods like hot dogs, burgers or fries," he said.
The Full Belly Deli, which seats five, serves breakfast and lunch. The menu contains about 25 sandwiches -- including a chicken club, meatball wedge, reuben and turkey melt -- that cost about $6 each.
Customers also can create sandwiches, using any combination of meat, bread, vegetables or condiments they choose.
The deli carries 15 kinds of house and deli salads including spinach, tortellini, peppercorn chicken and pasta, and chef, which range from $1 to $7. Chicken soup and chili also are sold. Recently, the deli purchased a panini press, which serves hot and grilled sandwiches.
According to In, 60 to 75 customers frequent the deli each day, traveling from as far as Southbury and New Canaan. "We have one customer who, whenever she's in the area, orders five or six grilled chicken pesto sandwiches to take home with her to upstate Pennsylvania," he said.
"Everything always tastes fresh. It's food that's good for you," said Danbury resident Helena Abrantes, who orders lunch at the deli three times a week.
One of her favorite dishes is the grilled chicken spinach salad with apples and grapes.
Last year, In opened another Full Belly Deli on Federal Road in Brookfield, which is managed by his sister Savoeun, 33.
In's long-term goal is to franchise the deli and open stores in Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury.
The deli has been in In's family since 2002, and was owned by his parents -- Chhem In and Noun Phoung -- until 2006, when In took it over.
In's parents immigrated to the United States from Cambodia in the early 1980s, and worked for years as assemblers in Danbury factories.
In 2002, after they were laid off, they used their savings from their years in the factory to purchase the deli. "They came here with nothing and were able to achieve the American dream," In said.
The Full Belly Deli, at 56 Padanaram Road in Danbury, and at 265 Federal Road in Brookfield, is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Delivery and catering are available. Call 203-778-3354 in Danbury or 203-885-0255 in Brookfield, or visit www.thefullbellydeli.com.
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