When COVID-19 put restaurateurs into a tailspin, Matthew Kuscher decided to change things up.
The owner of Stephen’s Deli in Hialeah infused new life into the spot while it was temporarily closed during the pandemic. Changing the name to Kush by Stephen’s was the first step. But that was just the beginning.
“The closure gave us the time we needed to revamp everything from the menu and bar program and even décor,” Kuscher explains in a press release. “This is far more than a new name and some menu items. It truly is a rebirth of this historic space and an ode to my own Jewish background.”
New to the menu are the house-made Goy-ish Croquetas, with pastrami and “Reuben” fillings, and the Chili con Plantanitos, which join longtime deli favorites like Bubbies Matzoh Ball Soup and the Reuben. All-day breakfast is still available with faves like Don Francisco’s Bacon, Egg & Cheese and the signature Chicken-N-Waffles.
Diners will also find expanded beer selections with an emphasis on locally brewed and hard-to-find craft selections, including Kaptain Kush, a pale ale made by a Hialeah brewery.
There’s an emphasis on fun here, evident in the Señora Butterworth cocktail, a mix of Old Forester, mezcal, sriracha maple syrup and bitters, served in a miniature maple syrup jug with Kuscher’s mother-in-law’s face on it.
Kush by Stephen’s is located at 1000 E. 16th St., Hialeah. For more information, call 305-887-8863 or visit stephensdeli.com.
