07/05/2025
Lakoma Delicatessen Ronkonkoma
Once known as Hoffman's Lake White House, the building that housed what we fondly remember as The Lakoma Deli, first appears in newspaper records circa 1938. It was a luncheonette, ice cream parlor and bakery. It was owned by Mr. Louis Giatras and then leased to Louis Hoffman. By 1960, it was more a bakery than a restaurant.
Somewhere around 1961, Joseph and Lillian Quigley filed a certificate of partnership naming the new business "Lakoma Delicatessen Ronkonkoma". The iconic Wooden Indian Chief may have made his first appearance around that time.
Scroll ahead to 1964 and Lakoma Delicatessen was purchased by Sonne Volkerts from Germany. It is Sonne's German recipes that made the food so special!
In September 2000, Sonne passed away and the business went to Tracy Sweeny who used the same recipes as Sonne Volkert.
Here's where the story of the Lakoma Deli may be ending.
Lakoma Deli was sold earlier in June, 2025. I am unsure if it will continue to serve as a Deli, but hear it may become a bagel shop. Or perhaps a deli that sells bagels as well.
One thing is for sure, generations of people remember that excellent German cooking in particular the potato salad.
Enjoy.
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