Rare Ducks

A Columbia County Treasure: The Elizaville Deli & Diner 

Elizaville doesn’t have a village. Instead, it has the Elizaville Deli and Diner. For those who live and work in the area, a stop here is a part of daily life. For those passing through, it’s a detour worthy of the gram. For those NYC transplants feeling nostalgic, it’s the closest thing to a bodega. 

First came the deli. Dale Strong and his business partner Brian Pitcher began with the basics. Over the years they’ve upgraded and renovated to be able to better serve their customers, but it remains a no frills spot. They do a lot of takeout business and will deliver just about anywhere. They’re always ready for the big orders that come in – 50 pizzas for a nearby camp or the antique car club. 

The deli has its quiet moments but there aren’t many. On any given morning, pickup trucks idle out front, some already loaded up with lumber and drywall, while workers run in to grab coffees. Retirees in muck boots brag about the day’s catch. A crossing guard watches the news on the small TV and scratches off his lotto tickets. A mother pops in for a quart of milk. A young woman in pajamas orders her egg and bacon on a roll, to go. The cashier knows half the customers. She chats and keeps things moving.  

The diner next door is straight out of the 1950s with its chrome exterior and red leather banquettes. Rescued and carefully transported from Lebanon, PA, it drew visitors from all over the country when it made its debut in Elizaville. The original terrazzo floors are exquisite. It’s no wonder it’s been featured in several films. Weekend brunch is the busiest time and the booths quickly fill up with Bard students, families, kayakers navigating the Roe Jan, bicyclists, and those en route from the TSP to Rhinebeck.

Deli and diner sit beside a quarry that has become a large pond.

Over the years, Dale has strategically planted trees to highlight the pond and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. “Rare ducks come here,” explains Dale.

The minerals in the quarry keep the water from freezing. Even in the middle of winter, the pond attracts birds and bird-watchers. Dale always dreamed of building a dock and pavilion by the water’s edge for live music and a flea market on the lawn. 

The Elizaville Deli & Diner is remote and peaceful, especially by the water where you can’t hear the road, yet there’s a constant flow of people coming and going. At least 5,000 people live within a short drive. There are three different school districts in this area, and the diner was the first place in the community where people could come together and sit down with their neighbors. People know they can count on this place for breakfast, a six-pack, and last minute household staples. 


The next steward of this special spot will not only inherit occasional visits from rare ducks but also a community committed to its success!

 

The Elizaville Diner & Deli is currently listed by Upstate Down Agent Doreen De Carolis.

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