Our Story

Isaiah "Zay Zay" Barker is the heart behind Zay’z Artisanal Deli. With a passion for serving others, he’s dedicated to crafting not just incredible food but a welcoming space for his local community. Known for his personable and easygoing spirit, Zay’s unrelenting commitment and passion shines in every detail—from thoughtfully sourced ingredients to friendly, personalized service—all with a focus on creating memorable, high-quality meals. Rooted in a love for people, he believes in the power of a thoughtfully crafted meal to bring people together and celebrate life’s simple pleasures.

Crafted With Intention

At Zay’z, we believe great food starts from scratch. Our signature focaccia is baked fresh in-house, and nearly every component that touches your plate is thoughtfully crafted by our team. From our sauces and dressings to our pickled vegetables and specialty items, we take pride in making as much as possible ourselves. We carefully source premium ingredients and focus on doing the fundamentals exceptionally well—creating bold flavors, generous portions, and meals that leave a lasting impression. It's a slower, more intentional approach, but we believe you can taste the difference.

More Than a Deli

Zay’z was never meant to be a traditional deli. While we respect the classics, our goal has always been to create something uniquely our own—a place where old-world craftsmanship meets a fresh, modern perspective. We challenge the idea that a deli has to look, feel, or operate a certain way. From our menu and house-made ingredients to our hospitality and atmosphere, we're focused on building an experience that feels approachable, memorable, and distinctly Zay’z. At the end of the day, we're not trying to fit into a category—we're simply committed to serving food we're proud of and creating a place people genuinely enjoy returning to.