Pocket Deli commemorated its 40th anniversary with a recognition as Small Business of the Month from Assemblyman Josh Hoover alongside customers, staff and community members. Photo by Ornella Rossi

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - A lunchtime staple in Rancho Cordova celebrated a major milestone on March 6 as Pocket Deli marked its 40th anniversary and received recognition as Small Business of the Month from Assemblyman Josh Hoover.

The sandwich shop, known for its toasted panini pockets and deli sandwiches stuffed into freshly baked pita-style bread, commemorated the anniversary with customers, staff and community members gathering inside the shop at 11210 Sun Center Drive.

“I'm just really excited to be here to recognize Pocket Deli for all the amazing work you guys do in our community,” Hoover said during the presentation. “Your work with the chamber and just serving your customers every day and giving back all the time. We’re excited to make you our small business of the month.”

The dedicated staff at Pocket Deli prepare customers’ orders at the 40th anniversary celebration of Pocket Deli on March 6. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Hoover said the Small Business of the Month program began about three years ago after he was elected to the Assembly.

“We were talking about how we can highlight some of the people in our community, whether it’s a business or nonprofit,” Hoover said. “We decided to create a small business of the month program and recognize a different business in a different part of the district every single month. For Pocket Deli, obviously 40 years is an amazing accomplishment in our community.”

The Assemblymember said his district office works with chambers of commerce and community groups to identify businesses making an impact.

“Our office is always available to help and support businesses,” Hoover said. “If there is any issue that a business is having with a state agency, we have a whole team of people in our district office that can help them navigate that on their behalf. In addition to that, I really try to help at the state capital on the policy side, passing policies that are going to be better for small businesses and opposing policies that are going to be bad.”

Assemblyman Josh Hoover (center) presents the Business of the Month award to the owners of Pocket Deli Cari Zarou (left) and Allen Zarou (right). Photo by Ornella Rossi

Pocket Deli first opened in 1986 as Ike’s Deli, operating as a small mom-and-pop shop. According to the business, the original owners baked the bread in-house while running the register and serving sandwiches during limited lunchtime hours.

Today, the shop still bakes its signature pocket bread from scratch daily, a practice owners say has helped it stand out in the crowded sandwich industry.

Allen and Cari Zarou purchased the business in 2018 and kept the original bread recipe while expanding the menu and community involvement.

“Celebrating these 40 years is huge because not many restaurants can last that long,” said Cari Zarou, co-owner of Pocket Deli. “It’s because our bread is so unique. Nobody makes our bread the same way that we do.”

Zarou said the deli’s longevity also comes from maintaining a strong staff culture.

“It also has to do with having a good team and taking care of your team, because if you don’t then they won’t work well with you,” she said. “We actually kept three of the six employees when we started.”

Co-owner Allen Zarou runs the register at the 40th anniversary celebration of Pocket Deli on March 6. Photo by Ornella Rossi

While the Zarous have owned the deli for eight years, they said preserving the original recipes and traditions has been key.

“We kept everything the same in terms of recipe and keeping the originals,” Zarou said. “We have added sandwiches though. It’s just exciting to be able to have a restaurant be in business that long. It’s very rare.”

The shop has also become a gathering spot for workers and community groups across Rancho Cordova, she said.

“We are the go-to for the police department, the sheriff department, the fire department, the contractors, everyone around,” Zarou said. “It really is about community. People can enjoy a sandwich with friends, family or coworkers.”

For longtime customer Ian Cornell, the freshly baked bread and rotating specials keep him coming back.

“I have been coming here since Alan and Carrie took over ownership of Pocket Deli and it’s just amazing,” Cornell said. “They are baking their own bread, have fresh ingredients every day and it’s just delicious every day.”

Cornell said he often orders whatever the daily special happens to be.

“For anybody that hasn’t been here, it’s convenient, easy, very tasty and a good value. You’re getting fresh ingredients, a very fresh, unusual sandwich. It’s made in a pocket style with a fluffy, fluffy bread.”

Pocket Deli is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.