Old Heidelberg Deli

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Old Heidelberg Deli...a Success Story
In 1984 a butcher named Dieter Dorrenberg and his wife Heidi, decided to emigrate from Germany to Florida. The nice weather Florida is famous for and to be able to enjoy the sunshine 365 days a year was the biggest reason for the move.
Dieter and Heidi built a sausage factory in Fort Lauderdale and after one year they had a Grand Opening for the wholesale business. They barely spoke English and this cost them a lot of time and money. In the beginning it was extremely and unbelievably difficult to start a new business and make ends meet. And there were some weeks Dieter and Heidi only had a couple of dollars in their pockets. The distributors were afraid to take a chance on a new supplier. Distributors told Dieter and Heidi "After you've been in business for three years, then maybe we'll take your products." But the Dorrenberg's didn't give up. With a lot of energy and very had work, the company became successful! And, only five years later they were making deliveries to all the cruise ships on the east coast of Florida.
In 1989, Dieter and Heidi opened Heidi's Deli in Miami Beach. This little Deli was very successful after only 3 months. Heidi's Deli was a meeting place for both Germans on vacation and the local people of Miami Beach. They came for breakfast and lunch and to enjoy authentic German food and Gemutlichkeit. The Deli was very small and their business was expanding. After two years later and many sleepless nights, Dieter and Heidi made a big decision and opened up the Old Heidelberg Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Three years after opening the Old Heidelberg Restaurant, they moved the sausage factory from Hollywood to Fort Lauderdale and opened the Old Heidelberg Deli next door. Now the Dorrenberg's could serve the fresh cut meat and fresh sausage in their restaurant.
Heidi often remembers the little mistakes in the beginning when her English was not so good, but today she is able to laugh about it. Years ago when the city of Fort Lauderdale sponsored an annual Oktoberfest, Dieter and Heidi sold sausages. They named their booth Dieter's Sausage. They were very surprised when American people kept coming to their booth asking for "Diet Sausage". Later, they found out that Americans were misinterpreting Dieter's name, thinking it was "Diet-er's sausage" (a diet sausage)!
In 2007, Dieter and Heidi sold the Old Heidelberg Restaurant to a very qualified Chef from Potsdam, Germany. After selling the restaurant, Dieter and Heidi devoted their skills to expand the Old Heidelberg Deli. Nowadays, the Old Heidelberg Deli offerings include delicious German bakery, featuring baked goods Germany is famous for: German breads, rolls, baguettes, pretzels, apple strudel, turnover's...also nice cheesecake, Black Forest Cherry Cake and unbelievable rum cake.
After twenty-five years of hard work, Dieter and Heidi Dorrenberg are very happy with their lives and the wonderful people they have come to know at Old Heidelberg and in south Florida. Dieter and Heidi are very happy that, like countless generations of German immigrants before them, they took a big risk and went across the ocean to a new world and a new life. But, they are happiest of all when they come home to their two dogs, and Honey and Goldie are waiting for them with wagging tails and kisses!