Many Montclairians know and love the Watchung Deli, which used to be located at 117 Watchung Avenue in Montclair. Grabbing “The Sandwich” or an “Angry Dwarf” in Watchung Plaza was always guaranteed to be a satisfying treat — and what many will be ecstatic to hear is that another local Montclair restaurant, Dan + Day’s, is collaborating with the deli to open a ghost kitchen at the 598 Valley Road burger spot, featuring Watchung Deli favorites. The project, called The Skinny Deli, will not only feature Watchung Deli menu items, but also some new gourmet sandwiches from Dan + Day’s. Read on for all the details about The Skinny Deli’s debut and Watchung Deli’s comeback at Dan + Day’s.
How Dan + Day’s Came to Be
Husband and wife, Dan and Dayanna Campea, the faces behind Dan + Day’s Burger and Shakes, opened just last year after closing the nearby location, Stuffed Grassfed Burgers. Dan, a lifelong Montclair resident, started Stuffed Grassfed Burgers at 24 years old. Although he and his wife made the decision to reinvent their restaurant dreams with a new name and location, the menu still features many of the Stuffed GB faves. Since its opening, Dan + Day’s has already become a popular spot to grab a bite to eat in Montclair.
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The Watchung Deli’s History
The Watchung Deli was a staple of Montclair from 1926 until 2020, when it closed its doors at 117 Watchung Avenue. Gary and Maureen Kiffer, alongside Robert and Jeanne Johannsen, ran the legendary deli until 2015, when it was bought by Peter and Anne von Hoffman. With the pandemic in 2020, the deli was forced to shut down permanently, leaving many Montclair residents in despair.
The Skinny Deli Concept
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Dan shared via Instagram, “When I was a kid, my dad and I had a tradition: before heading to Yankee Stadium for playoff games, we’d stop by for our ‘good luck sandwiches’. Robert, a die-hard Mets fan, would begrudgingly make them, probably hoping they brought us bad luck (they didn’t). I went there constantly—after baseball practice, after games, and during my lunch breaks at Montclair High School. It felt like everyone in town did the same.”
Dan shared that he had a full-circle moment when Watchung Deli owners Robert and Jeanne did a pop-up at his restaurant back in March, where they sold over 350 sandwiches.
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After the pop-up’s success, Dan shared with The Montclair Girl, “It was clear there was still a ton of demand for The Watchung Deli. Dayanna and I decided we couldn’t let this go.”
So, the two teams decided to open a virtual restaurant/ghost kitchen featuring many of the Watchung deli classics like “The Sandwich” (Dan’s favorite), “Ben’s Special,” “The Angry Dwarf,” as well as some of their own gourmet sandwich creations.
The vision is to make the virtual restaurant more of a gourmet sandwich shop rather than a deli, with a smaller and more focused menu.
The Skinny Deli’s Name
Dan shared with The Montclair Girl that they chose this name to pay homage to The Watchung Deli’s old nickname, The Skinny Deli. The owners of Jackie’s Grillette used to own a larger deli to the left of Mr. Dino’s, with the smaller deli, The Watchung Deli, on the right, giving them their respective nicknames. He also explained that with a smaller menu than a traditional menu, it made more sense to call it a skinny deli. The deli will hopefully be open within a few weeks, and we couldn’t be more excited.
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Looking Ahead
In the long term, Dan + Day shared their goal is to open a physical location for The Skinny Deli. In the interim, customers will only be able to order online through third-party apps. Orders can be picked up by customers with the cashier at Dan + Day’s just like they would pick up a burger.
Autism Acceptance Month: Resources for Parents
April is Autism Acceptance Month and is a time to educate ourselves and raise awareness about a disability that affects many children and adults worldwide. Also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), this disability appears in many different forms and varying levels of severity from person to person. Here in the Essex County area, there are a variety of resources for parents of children with autism. Read on to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how you can support those living with the disorder.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system and impairs the ability of children and adults to communicate and interact with others. Although there is no known cure for this condition, treatments such as behavioral therapies, family therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) are helpful in reducing symptoms and supporting development + learning. A child or adult living with autism may experience symptoms that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others, obsessive tendencies, or repetitive behaviors. These symptoms also appear in a variety of forms and severities from one person to the next.
Read More: Organizations + Non-Profits to Give Back to in Montclair
How You Can Support Autism Organizations from Afar
It is simple enough to support autism organizations from afar by donating to a variety of different charities. This list of well-known organizations is a good place to start:
Autism NJ, a nonprofit organization, is "committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them," according to its website. The agency provides clinical expertise, information on public policy, awareness resources, and more. Austim NJ also hosts various events throughout the year. See the calendar here. Those looking to donate, see here.
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) emphasizes ensuring that adults with autism reach their potential by providing scholarships to colleges, programs + resources for self-advocates, and a portal for employers interested in hiring adults with autism.
The Autism Society of America has chapters across the country that provide person-to-person support and advocacy, as well as an online database of information and recommendations for parents and caregivers.
Whole Spectrum Autism, a Jersey City-based non-profit, raises autism acceptance by hosting family-friendly, inclusive events throughout the year because "autism isn’t just one day or one month — it is everyday living for so many of us." Advocacy and education are the core of their work, with the mission to build inclusive communities. FYI: Whole Spectrum is hosting its annual Autism Acceptance Gala on June 20th, 2025, at Liberty House in Jersey City — more information can be found here.
AANE is geared toward families and provides a blend of virtual and in-person services to support adults with autism as well as their family members.
The Autism Science Foundation supports autism by funding scientists and organizations that conduct research.
The Art of Autism focuses on spotlighting talents in the visual arts of children and adults with autism.
If you care to do something more hands-on to support these organizations, consider volunteering for events such as fundraising walks in your neighborhood. Many community centers (such as the YMCA) or smaller local organizations are also looking for mentors or ‘buddies’ to participate in events and activities with children or adults with autism.
Resources to Support Autism Spectrum Disorder at Home
When a lack of structure or routine occurs, children and adults with autism tend to experience behavioral challenges. For parents and caregivers who are looking for effective resources to use at home with a child or adult living with autism, consider these online behavioral resources:
Autism Parenting Magazine is an award-winning publication aimed at improving the quality of life for families affected by autism. Established in 2012, the magazine publishes autism-related topics, events, developments, treatments, and news stories, as well as a variety of inspiring real-life success stories.
Supporting Your Autism Journey + Autistics on Autism
Supporting Your Autism Journey and Autistics on Autism are written by Hoboken resident Dr. Kerry Magro — a professional speaker, best-selling author, and autism entertainment consultant who is on the autism spectrum. You can read more about Kerry here.
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Apps to Use With Your Child at Home:
Touch and Learn - Emotions is a paid app that assists children in identifying emotions and recognizing body language.
Skill Champ is an iPad app that provides children with practice in foundational skills such as letter matching, identifying emotions, and more.
ChoiceWorks Calendar is another paid app that provides visually appealing options to create a schedule and alleviate transition anxiety.
