Ben’s Best Deli on Queens Boulevard in Rego Park was one of New York’s last great old-school Jewish delis, operating since 1945 and serving the pastrami, corned beef, and matzo ball soup that built its reputation across seven decades of Queens community life. It appeared in Season 11, Episode 9 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “From Crepes to Kreplach,” which aired March 14, 2011. Guy Fieri found hand-carved pastrami, overstuffed Reubens, and the full Jewish deli catalog done with the old-school commitment that most New York delis had long abandoned. Ben’s Best closed in June 2018 when owner Ron Dragoon, whose father founded the deli in 1945, decided to retire after 73 years of family operation.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Ben’s Best Deli
City: Rego Park, New York
Cuisine: Jewish Deli
DDD Season: 11
DDD Episode: 9
Episode Title: From Crepes to Kreplach
Original Air Date: March 14, 2011
Address: 96-40 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, NY 11374 (former location)
Status: Permanently Closed (closed June 2018)
Last Known Location
Address: 96-40 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, NY 11374
Status: Permanently Closed as of June 2018. Owner Ron Dragoon retired after 73 years of family operation.
Ben’s Best Deli appeared in Season 11, Episode 9 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “From Crepes to Kreplach,” originally aired March 14, 2011. The deli was founded in 1945 and closed in June 2018 when owner Ron Dragoon retired.