Infinite Zest
Rinaldi’s Italian Deli brings breakfast burritos and boundless hospitality to the table
Story and photos by Madison Rutherford
If you had to guess where to get one of the best breakfast burritos in North Scottsdale, an Italian deli probably wouldn’t be at the top of your list.
But Rinaldi’s, which has called the Scottsdale Promenade home for nearly 15 years, is best known for its breakfast. Mornings at Rinaldi’s often observe serpentine lines of early risers eager to bite into a lightly toasted tortilla packed with fluffy scrambled eggs, gooey cheddar cheese, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes and a choice of fresh bacon, sausage, ham or chorizo.
The burritos sing with the deli’s delicious homemade salsa, which owner John Sayegh says is made with garden-fresh tomato, cilantro and onions.
“If I tell you any more, I’ll give away my recipe,” he quips.
According to Sayegh, the burritos are the deli’s No. 1 item on the breakfast menu, which also boasts omelets, sandwiches and bagels. Carnivores will love the meat-centric Max Burro while vegetarians will relish the Easy Burro (egg, cheese and potatoes).
Sayegh was born and raised in the Bronx, a heritage that is not only reflected in the food, but the look and feel of Rinaldi’s. While one wall of the deli houses refrigerators containing every beverage you can think of, the opposite wall is lined with framed memorabilia from the Empire State — a signed Giants jersey, a black and white action shot of Joe DiMaggio circa 1941, and a collage dedicated to the firefighters who risked their lives during 9/11. Patrons can enjoy their meal at tables inside or choose from a spattering of umbrella-shielded seats outside.
For lunch, Sayegh serves made-to-order masterpieces created with care and Boar’s Head premium honey maple ham, mesquite turkey, prosciutto, pepperoni and more. Sayegh recommends the roast beef, which is hand-sliced and made in-house. The hot pastrami sandwich is also a crowd-pleaser. Daily specials include brisket of beef, chicken parmesan, meatballs, shells stuffed with ricotta and baked ziti. He claims he’s never had a single complaint about any of his food.
This is easy to believe if you watch him make a meal — he layers meat and veggies with the precision and attentiveness of an engineer building a car.
Rinaldi’s also offers catering, featuring six-foot subs that contain 30 slices and 8.5 pounds of precisely sliced meat, which Sayegh says feeds about 20 people.
“No party is too small or too large for us,” he says.
His food speaks for itself, but Sayegh believes that’s only half the battle. He wants his customers to feel at home when they walk through the door.
“The No. 1 item that should be on an authentic deli menu is customer service,” Sayegh says. “I have a personal relationship with every customer. I open up the doors at 7 a.m. If a customer’s knocking on my door at 6:30 and I’m ready to roll, I’ll open the door for them.”
Rinaldi’s Italian Deli
16211 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 4, Scottsdale
480-607-3354, rinaldisdeli.com
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