Father-son team takes pride in deli's homemade food

The Rufinos are bringing a taste of home to their new business venture. Carlos Rufino Sr. and Carlos Rufino Jr. co-own Rufino's Deli & Pizza, located at the former site of Café De Luna on Arlington Avenue in North Brunswick. They offer a selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner items all day long.

JENNIFER AMATO Carlos Rufino Jr. hands a bagel to Jennifer Valentin, 13, of North Brunswick, at Rufino's Deli and Pizza, located on Arlington Avenue in North Brunswick. "My father has been cooking for 30 years. He can make anything you need," Rufino Jr. said.

For breakfast, the menu offers oatmeal, eggs, bagels and muffins.

With the help of deli manager Vinny Mungia, Rufino's offers personal pizzas; beef, veggie and turkey burgers; hot dogs, cheesesteaks; Reubens; chicken sandwiches; Boar's Head cold cuts; grilled cheese; sausage and peppers; chicken, eggplant, veal, meatball or sausage parmigiana; tuna, chicken, shrimp or egg salad; chef, Caesar or Greek salads; bread from Scala Bakery; and sides of french fries, onion rings and mozzarella sticks.

Rufino Sr. makes fresh soup every morning, such as lobster bisque, Manhattan clam chowder, cream of broccoli, split pea, lentil and chicken noodle. He makes his own marinara sauce and chili.

He also makes the chicken, tuna, macaroni, potato and pasta salads fresh, with little mayonnaise, along with the antipasto.

Rufino's wings come in hot, teriyaki or honey barbecue sauce. He fries the wings while the sauce is in a separate pan, whereas other establishments usually pour cold sauce on already-cooked chicken, he said.

"I'm a big wing eater. I think it makes all the difference because the sauce is hot. It's like the sauce is cooking at the same time," Rufino Jr. said.

There are three specials each day for lunch and dinner, including selections such as sandwiches, wraps, lasagna, penne vodka and chicken Alfredo.

Then, for dessert, Rufino Sr. makes his own rice pudding.

"I want people to enjoy what my father puts out there," Rufino Jr. said.

Catering is a big part of their business as well. Rufino Jr. said clients can discuss their ideas with him to develop a menu. Some featured homemade items are penne vodka, sausage and peppers, herb chicken with a Spanish flair, chicken Marsala and paella.

Rufino Jr., who has been serving and bartending for 10 years, said he also enjoys when customers come and sit down and watch TV in their "relaxed, loose atmosphere," especially kids and families, whom he welcomes.

"I love kids. Families come in ... and sit down for dinner all the time," he said.

The tradition of togetherness combined with food dates back four decades. Rufino Sr. emigrated from the Dominican Republic in the 1970s as a college graduate. Working for his native government, he decided to come to the United States to start a family and have a better life.

Because of the language barrier, he accepted any job he could, and began working as a line cook. He quickly moved through the restaurant business for more than 30 years, eventually working at the Rio Diner in Woodbridge and the Wyndam Hotel in Piscataway, and helping to expand Pierre's in South Brunswick.

The father-and-son team, who have Italian ancestry, as evidenced by their last name, looked for a location when Rufino Jr. was 14 years old, but it wasn't the right time, so the two decided last August to look into a new location.

As of October, Rufino's was established.

"I want people to come in here and have good quality food at a reasonable price," Rufino Jr. said. "We don't skimp on anything."

Rufino Jr. is trying to become a staple in the community. He said they have already made donations to the high school Rock-a- Thon, winter concert and yearbook, and that he is trying to coordinate with the Elijah's Promise soup kitchen in New Brunswick to donate their extra food.

In the future, Rufino's will set up its outdoor seating, hopefully with an ice cream parlor area.

The deli is open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, but is closed on Sunday.

The phone and fax number is 732-297- 1424. Local delivery is available.