Gulf Breeze Italian deli and market, Seneca’s Deli, has permanently closed its doors at 3707 Gulf Breeze Parkway. However, a new chapter is beginning for longtime Navarre business, Sal’s Pizzeria & Grill, which will soon take Seneca’s place with a second Sal’s location, continuing the tradition of serving from-scratch pizzas and Italian cuisine.
Seneca’s Deli owners Boaz and Rachel Benzakry shared the news with their patrons in a social media statement on Dec. 1, garnering hundreds of responses from customers on how much they’ll miss their products, ranging from their anise cookies reminiscent of Italian recipes to the delicious Nonna’s Garlic Roast Beef special, composed of a thin-sliced London broil.
“We want to share an important update: Seneca’s has officially closed its doors. While this chapter comes to an end, we’re grateful for every customer, every meal, every conversation, and every moment shared with our Gulf Breeze community,” the statement read. “But there’s also good news — a beloved local favorite, Sal’s Pizzeria, will be taking our place! We couldn’t be happier to see the space handed over to people who truly care about this community and who will continue bringing great food and great energy to the area. Thank you for your support, love, and loyalty over the years. We’re excited for what’s ahead — and we’re confident you’ll love what Sal’s has planned.”
In March of 2024, the Benzakrys transformed the former J&J’s Pizza Shack into an old-school-inspired Italian bakery, deli and market. There, you could find a wide variety of sandwiches, including chicken parm, muffaletta, and several renditions of Italian sandwiches, along with homemade pizza, stromboli and nightly dinner specials, with beer and wine available to pair.
While Boaz lived in California and operated businesses for many years, he found no shortage of places that sold fresh bread and Italian goods. After he bought a house in Gulf Breeze in 2017, he realized there were fewer Italian eateries. So, he started his own.
“Why are we opening? Because I want it, and I know I’m not the only one,” Boaz told the News Journal in a previous interview. “I’m really excited to open. It has been a long road to get there.”
The space’s new tenant, Sal’s Pizzeria & Grill, whose Navarre location is currently open at 6903 Navarre Parkway, was founded in 1994 and has been serving the Gulf Coast for decades, according to the Sal’s website.
Sal’s is credited for crafting its New York-style pizza, pasta and entrees “from scratch daily using the finest ingredients and time-honored recipes,” the Sal’s website states.
The new Tiger Point location, which will be called Sal’s Pizza Café, will serve about 80% of the Navarre menu at the new location, including pizza, sandwiches, salads, desserts, beer and wine, according to Sal’s owner Bobby Ball.
While Ball was not actively seeking a Gulf Breeze location, after being contacted by Boaz, he decided to take advantage of the opportunity to open a second store serving the Tiger Point community.
Ball said they hope to get Sal’s up and running by early January and are in the process of crafting a website for the Gulf Breeze location, which will offer more updates.
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Dining and Cooking