A long-time Racine tradition, Lee's Deli is a favorite among residents of all ages, as well as long- distance customers from as far away as Illinois. You’ll find Lee’s Deli housed in a frame building that was constructed around the turn of the century. The building had been home to several small grocery stores and delis over the years, and all have been family owned and operated. The Bonnar’s oper
ated the business as Bonnar’s Sausage Shop and eventually Bonnar’s Delicatessen. Bonnar’s Delicatessen operated from the front portion of the building, while the Bonnar’s resided in the rear portion of the building with their family. In 1971, the business was purchased by Leroy (Lee) Neu and the name was aptly changed to Lee’s Deli. It was under Neu’s ownership that the submarine sandwich was introduced, for which Lee’s Deli is now famous. In 1986, three Park High School graduates and friends, John Henes, Jim Dobbs and Steve Hurley purchased the business from Neu and continued offering the same great food that everyone had grown to love. In the summer of 2023, Nate Erhardt, nephew of John Henes, purchased Lee's Deli and is enthusiastically working to maintain the traditions that Racine-natives have grown to love. Nate has also continued work in service of the community, often providing food for HALO and a source for groceries in an area of town no longer rich with food resources.
