It’s more than a deli, it’s more than the best crab cake in the DMV, and it’s more than the homemade strawberry lemonade and Mumbo Sauce. MLK Deli is a community staple showing the District that there is a “new cool” in town. Owner, Tyrone White, incepted the idea of taking over the community deli in September of 2017 with a unique focus to inspire his community and bring new job opportunities to Wards 7 & 8.
The deli had been around for about 30 years, but never rose to the recognition of local spots like Ben’s Chili Bowl. So in 2017, White was convinced that through intentional branding and a food menu that spoke for itself, the DC staple could stay alive.
Today, the Congress Heights deli has expanded into the Entertainment and Sports Arena as the lead vendor and a concession option at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Reflecting back on what this expansion has meant, he simply said, “Pivotal…dreams come true with hard work.”
Next on White’s bucket list is to open a carryout fish market in Ward 7. He hopes that through the expansion effort he will continue to create jobs for residents, show youth the variety of trades available and expose them to different types of role models, such as small business entrepreneurs like himself.
With a new Rita’s storefront to the right and the historical Washington Informer to the left, MLK Deli is sitting in the middle of a changing DC. As a company, Events DC believes in homegrown DC and the critical role it plays in celebrating the beauty and culture of the city we love.
