Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues that provide goods and services to our community. This week, we travel to Queens and home of the mouthwatering Oxtail DatMacPatty created by the family owned and operated Datz Deli. 

Queens, New York, is a great place to be if you have a great idea, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a lot of dedication. It was true forty years ago when Broadway Stages got its start and it remains true today, as proven by 31-year-old Joshua Dat. He said of his home and workplace, “It’s so diverse, so many amazing people, so many amazing stories, and it’s where I grew up too.”

When he started Datz Deli on Hollis Ave in Queens last December, Dat said, “My father inspired me to start. We didn’t have an easy life growing up. I wasn’t born into money, so saving and staying disciplined helped a lot. Also, keeping my eyes on the prize, knowing that missing out and not wasting my money would one day allow my family and me to get everything we want in life.” He thought, “I wanted to be different. I wanted to give people something new to try.”

And people have not just tried it. They love it! Customers line up around the corner for the now-famous Oxtail DatMacPatty. This sandwich features a delicious Caribbean-style beef patty with flavors inspired by Dat’s father’s native Guyana. Partnered with the beef patty is an island favorite, shredded oxtail meat. And instead of the traditional slice of American cheese, Datz Deli heaps a scoop of everyone’s favorite comfort food (extra cheesy) mac and cheese on top. All of this is placed on warm sweet coco bread. It’s a slightly sweet bread that’s firm on the outside but soft on the inside. WOW!! We’re ready to place an order right now!

But the menu doesn’t end there. Datz Deli has Chicken, Beef, and Goat Curry versions of the DatMacPatty and a Jerk Chicken version too. And if you aren’t in the mood for a sandwich, you can get large or small orders of Curries or Jerk chicken. And, when asked, Joshua Dat suggests his favorite, “Corned beef with white rice and spinach, for sure,” We recommend you add an order of fried plantains to whatever you order too. If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to save a little room for an order of Fried Oreos with a caramel and/or chocolate drizzle.

Datz Deli has become a sensation quickly because the food is so fantastic. But Dat’s wisdom in using social media doesn’t hurt his cause at all, either. Since opening in December 2022, the deli has garnered over 55,000 followers on Instagram and countless TikTok views. This chef’s hustle is not limited to the kitchen!

And hustle, he does! Alongside his parents, siblings, uncle, nephew, and a few close friends, Datz Deli is open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm, and on Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm. Feel free to call ahead to place an order (929-356-3400).  And don’t forget to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!