5 Questions With … Ruth Mayorga, the Hero Behind Your Wilton Deli Hero

Some things just go together… cream cheese and lox, hot dogs and beans, pastrami and rye; and perhaps if anyone goes with Wilton Deli and knows about truistic tandem tastes, it might just be Ruth Mayorga, the front face of this 20-plus years hub that keeps hungry Wiltonians satiated, satisfied and super thankful for upper crust food at middle class prices (a rarity these days). 

With her easy smile and affable flair for taming teenagers, toddlers and “time for a pick me up” travelers, Mayorga can do it all, all at once and twice as nice as anyone from here to El Salvador, which is where this mama with moxie, three kids and a whole lotta busy life originally hails from. 

She’s done a lot, seen a lot and definitely has our kids’ backs when not getting that Philly Cheese Steak out on the double might just total the tardy tally to one too many in that little app we (speaking for the masses here) love to hate, PowerSchool. 

Lesley Kirschner caught Mayorga in a rare quiet moment for a quick but candid interview with arguably one of Wilton’s most iconic figures. 

1. What first brought you to Wilton Deli? 

Ruth Mayorga: I used to work in the cafeteria at NCC, [Norwalk Community College], and one day, I ran into Steve [Francia] who I knew from the college and he asked me if I wanted a job working here [at Wilton Deli]. I told him, “You know I have kids?” He said he knew and then he said, “You know, it’s busy [at the deli]?” I said I knew and then I said “You know, if the school calls or the daycare, I have to go pick up my kids, right?” He said he knew and I came to work. 

2. Can you tell me a little bit about your own life growing up? 

Mayorga: I have a lot of brothers and sisters. There were 11 of us, but one passed away. Everybody is married. Everybody has kids. 

My daddy worked on a farm. I used to go out with him at five o’clock in the morning and help him milk the cows; and then one day, I told my daddy, I said “I want to see America.” 

When I came here, I wanted to work. I sent [my parents] money. I got married. I had kids. 

My dad is 80 now. My mom is 77. I have a lot of family over there and we do a lot of FaceTime. 

When I came here, I had to pay a lot of money to call home. It was very expensive. Then I got Verizon and there was no signal in here, no service in this whole area by the high school (laughs). I had to switch carriers. 

I miss home but I love living in Norwalk. I love Stamford too. This whole area is beautiful. Nice restaurants. One of my daughters lives in Stamford. 

3. What do you like to do on a day off? 

Mayorga: I go to church. I go at seven o’clock in the morning in Norwalk. I go shopping. I go shopping for the week. I do laundry. I clean the house. Sometimes I like to watch soccer. I like soccer. 

4. If you could order one thing off the Wilton Deli menu, what would it be? 

Mayorga: I like the “Barcelona” [sandwich with breaded chicken cutlet, mozzarella, roasted red peppers and pesto mayonnaise] … that’s my favorite and sometimes I eat it on the bread or without the bread . Some people put it on garlic bread. 

Sometimes I just like tuna with some onions, tomatoes, avocados and eggs. I cut the cucumber and take out all the seeds and then I fill it with the tuna and put the avocado on top. It’s really good. 

5. Why do you think Wilton Deli is such a special place for the kids? 

Mayorga: The deli’s been here a long time. They opened in 2004… almost 21 years ago! Steve came in and he put in this whole coffee station, the egg and cheese sandwiches for 99-cents. We have a lot at Wilton Deli — a lot of food, a lot of specials. The kids come in; you get to know their order numbers … the mozzarella sticks, the chicken tenders, the fries. You get to know the kids, their parents. I know everybody. They call on the phone and I recognize their voices. Sometimes I’ll be in Norwalk and I run into the kids. I love the Wilton kids. I love the people. I’ve been working here 20 years and I’m very happy.