Criminal Cuisine: How ‘Deli Boys’ Transforms Philadelphia’s Deli Culture into Must-See TV
In the cutthroat world of entertainment, rejection is the norm—a reality Saagar Shaikh knows all too well. Time after time, he’d progress to callbacks only to face silence, later discovering the same rival actor claiming his desired roles. So when his manager delivered the disappointing news about Hulu’s “Deli Boys,” a fresh series chronicling two privileged Pakistani American brothers entangled in convenience store crime, it felt like déjà vu.
But plot twist: Shaikh wasn’t being rejected—he was being repositioned. Originally auditioning for Mir, the straight-laced business school graduate, Shaikh ultimately landed the role of Raj, the other brother in this deliciously criminal comedy premiering March 6.
The 10-episode series opens with an audacious scene: Raj and Mir, newly inheriting ABC Deli following their father’s unexpected passing, armed with nothing but Philly pretzels as they hunt down a near-dead man—their baptism into entrepreneurship, convenience store-style.
While the narrative itself is fictional, creator Abdullah Saeed anchored the show in authentic Philadelphia soil. The cornerstone deli draws inspiration from a real establishment at Third and Poplar Streets in Northern Liberties—a spot Saeed frequented during his Temple University days. “I used to live near this deli—they had a $3 hoagie, which is suspicious—but that’s the place I would think of for ABC Deli,” Saeed reminisces.
This Philadelphia-centered storyline resonated with executive producer Michelle Nader, a South Philly native. “I think Philly is a magical place,” she muses. “It’s a crazy place, and I think this show captures the eccentricity of Philadelphia in a way that a lot of shows don’t—I mean ‘It’s Always Sunny’ does—but this is a very particular lens into it.”
“Deli Boys” delves into a distinctly Philadelphian, Pakistani family saga—one that nonchalantly stuffs cocaine into achar (pickled vegetable) containers at their establishment. The deli’s name itself carries cultural significance: ABC Deli, where ABCD stands for “American-born confused desi,” a colloquialism describing South Asian Americans navigating dual identities.
The series has already captivated influential figures like “Queer Eye” sensation Tan France, who portrays Zubair, a British Pakistani gang leader. “They sent me this show and I was so proud of it,” France gushes. “Someone’s giving us a show that’s so specific—it represents us [South Asians] so beautifully. It gives us a chance to be real, fully formed humans.” His dedication speaks volumes: “I had to audition four times for this role, and I would’ve auditioned 40 times because I was part of a show that was life-changing.”
The authentic Philadelphian essence permeates the characterizations of both brothers, particularly Mir, described as a “Philly 10” and Drexel University alum. Shaikh and co-star Asif Ali (who plays Mir) elaborate that achieving “Philly 10” status requires culinary discernment, meticulously groomed facial hair, a “fresh-ish” haircut, the confidence to sport multiple chain necklaces (potentially including an Allah pendant), impressive footwear, and a legitimate—or honorary—business degree from Drexel University.
As “Deli Boys” prepares to hit screens, it promises more than just comedy—it offers cultural specificity, authentic representation, and a delightfully criminal twist on the American Dream, all served with a side of Philadelphia’s inimitable character.
