Ritchie's Deli to celebrate 20 years in Amenia

AMENIA — For 20 years, the unique sandwiches at Ritchie’s Deli have kept Amenia fed. That’s cause for celebration — and on Oct. 25, they’ll do just that.

The deli will offer breakfast and lunch specials, a cannoli bar, and host vendors with a photo booth and mocktails in the plaza from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Opal Revival, the neighboring women’s apparel store, will also offer sales for the occasion, and a cozy fire for warmth and ambience.

Ritchie’s owner Lucy Abad has run the deli, located at 8 Old North Road off of Route 44, since taking over for her parents in 2018. The family started Ritchie’s in 2006. “We realized immediately that the area had a great community,” Abad said. “Even if you don’t know someone, people will just sit with each other and start talking to get to know one another. Some people call it ‘Cheers’ in here,” referring to the iconic TV show set in a neighborhood Boston bar.

When Abad became the proprietor in 2018, she kept the menu intact. The deli is best known for its Cowboy sandwich — roast beef and mozzarella with bacon and barbecue sauce. It was even mentioned in a New York Times article on Amenia in 2025.

What she did instead was expand the deli’s catering business. Over the past eight years, Ritchie’s has become a go-to for private parties, weddings, and any other area event that needs bellies filled. “I don’t really do a lot of advertising,” said Abad, “so a lot of it is really word of mouth.”

After 20 years, Ritchie’s impact in the community can be measured in more than dollars and cents. “It’s amazing now to see these kids that I saw grow up,” she continued. “They’re getting married, starting careers, and now they’re coming back in with their own babies. It’s an honor, to be honest.”

Ritchie’s deli is located on 8 Old North Road in Amenia. The sandwich shop is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday’s hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.