Saying Adios to the Deli Guy

After 33 Years of Slicing Meat and Making Sandwiches, Ralphs Market Staple Luis Moran Retires

By MICHAEL AUSHENKER | Pali Life Editor

You may not know his name but you know his face as one of the friendly faces working the delicatessen counter at the Ralphs Market on Sunset Boulevard.

Well, now, Luis Moran, who has been commuting by bus from his Koreatown residence to Pacific Palisades for 33 years, is retiring. His final day was Friday, Aug. 1.

“Luis is a sweet man,” said Palisadian-Post Staff Photographer Rich Schmitt, a longtime fan of Moran’s sandwich-making skills. “He is genuine and very polite. He always asks about [wife] Courtney and how she is doing. Many times, he would give me samples of the deli meats.”

“He is just conscientious, very work-oriented and just a very nice person to work with,” said the Ralphs location’s Sales Manager, Sue Hamilton. “Were gonna miss him.”

Preparing hot food, cutting meat and making sandwiches has been supremely rewarding for the family man, a people person who loves his customers.

“I like when they have big smile and say thank you,” Moran said. “They don’t ask for a sample but I offer them a sample.”

“Luis had great tips on weekly daily specials and savings,” Schmitt said. “He was great at offering value for your dollar selections on name and premium deli brands, including Boar’s Head and Private Stock. In addition, he had wonderful knowledge of the different offerings of cheeses, both imported and domestic.”

TV and movie stars such as Jeffrey Tambor and Ray Liotta may breeze through Ralphs but Moran doesn’t distinguish celebrities from the hoi polloi.

“I never ask names. They are all customers, I serve them person-to-person but I don’t ask them what do you do,” Moran said. “For me, it’s the best way.”

When Moran started out as a bag boy back in January 1982, that Ralph’s was a Hughes Market. By 1988, Moran was working at the deli counter and a decade later, Ralphs bought out the outlet and he went from working for a family-owned business to going under the employ of a corporate chain.

Moran has had a good run manning the deli counter, but as of Aug. 1, he has shifted gears to enjoy much more free time.

“My plan is to relax, take care of my family, taking time by myself,” Moran said.

That includes quality time with wife Rosa and their four children: Eric, 24, Luis, 21, Victor, 17 and “my baby girl,” Andrea, 11.

Schmitt is going to miss his favorite sandwich-maker.

“He’s the kind of guy you would want to sit at a bar with and shoot the breeze,” Schmitt said. “I’ll miss the terrific sandwiches he made with generous meat portions. He was very helpful with deli suggestions and recommendations on the more satisfying selections of the day.”

Even though Moran will no longer be working in the Palisades, he’ll certainly be returning for social visits.

“Many customers tell me they would like to see me again,” he said.