Celebrating Noochies Deli's Resilience After Tough Times

2025 was a very bad year for the Connecticut restaurant and dining scene, we lost a few 70-80-100-year-old legends like Jimmies in West Haven , Charcoal Chef in Woodbury, Carvel in Waterbury, Watertown and Naugatuck, and Noochie's Deli & Cafe in Waterbury. Need some good news? Noochie's has returned.

Noochie's Deli & Cafe is located right off Highland Avenue in Waterbury at 72 America Street, but five months ago in July, they arrived at work to find that a pipe had burst, and the water had basically damaged everything. For most in 2025, that would have meant lights out for good, but not the D'Amelio family. They got to work, ripped everything out, and rebuilt.

Credit - Gianni D'Amelio

As of Monday, December 1, 2025, Noochie's has reopened and the Town Plotter and HC Crusader hot grinders are back. I spoke with Gianni D'Amelio and his son Noochie to congratulate them, not only reopening after such a devastating event, but it turns out the D'Amelio family was also celebrating the 43rd anniversary of D'Amelio's Italian Eatery on Monday. I started eating there when it was a deli, shortly after they opened on Highland Avenue, and my wife and I had our wedding reception in that wonderful space back in 2006.

Credit - Gianni D'Amelio

If you've never been, shame on you, you're missing out. The D'Amelio family has kept Waterbury and Town Plot satisfied with their proscuitto-stuffed cherry peppers, the flaming cheese wheel, and some of the best grinders that Connecticut has to offer. Congratulations, and thank you for your commitment to the Brass City and Town Plot.

I Finally Gave In and Ate a Piece of Waterbury Restaurant History

The Grotto Restaurant was a simple Italian food institution on Waterbury's Watertown Avenue for most of my life until it permanently closed 2 years ago in the Summer of 2023. I had a package of frozen ravioli from the Grotto in my freezer for the past two years, it's finally time to say goodbye to the last piece of pasta I've held on to for so long. Join me.

Gallery Credit: Photos by Large Dave

Four Businesses in Waterbury That Would Survive The Apocalypse

There are just some businesses too engrained in our neighborhoods that recession, price increases, cordyceps, and even the apocalypse could kill. I spent 50 of my years in Waterbury, and these four places have not changed, nor should they.

Gallery Credit: Google Maps

Ranking the Five Worst Parking Lots on Main Street in Watertown

Watertown has a population of just over 22,000 according to the most recent cencus, and it seems like everyone in town goes nowhere except Main Street (Rt. 63). Parking lots are always busy, and space is tight. I do not like driving through these five parking lots in particular.

Gallery Credit: Google

Source: Waterbury Welcomes Back Noochies Deli After Tough Challenges

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