Steve Dubrinsky

Steve P. Dubrinsky (born c. 1962 in Detroit, Michigan) is the founder of Max's Delicatessen at The Colonnade and the former operator of Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina in Homewood.

Dubrinsky began in the restaurant business in Birmingham in 1983, operating franchises of Kenny Rogers Roasters and Little Caesar's Pizza. He returned home to Detroit for eight years before coming back to operate Salsarita's. He and Cliff Samen opened Max's, which was named for both of their fathers, in January 2009. He has often donated proceeds from restaurant revenues to various charities and supplied food trays to organizations working in the area.

Dubrinksy prepared a series of internationally-themed Kosher meals for Knesseth Israel Congregation in 2011.

In an October 2011 Birmingham News interview, he spoke out in support of his Hispanic workers, all of whom he believed to be legal residents, who felt threatened by the newly-passed Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. The story sparked national attention, earning him outrage from those who concluded that he supported illegal immigration, and support from other critics of the law. Discussion on the Matt Murphy Show led toward calls for a boycott while a story on "The Huffington Post" won him praise from around the country.

In 2013, citing the need to spend more time with his young sons, Dubrinsky sold Max's to restaurateur Kyung Chung.

References

• Carlton, Bob (January 23, 2009) "Max's an authentic Jewish delicatessen for Birmingham." The Birmingham News
• Williams, Roy L. (May 17, 2011) "Birmingham deli operator Steve Dubrinsky talks about giving back." The Birmingham News
• Carlton, Bob (January 25, 2011) "Steve Dubrinsky of Max's Delicatessen prepares kosher Korean food at Knesseth Israel Congregation's Around the World Dinners series." The Birmingham News
• Williams, Roy L. (October 12, 2011) "Alabama restaurant owners say some legal Hispanic workers are leaving as a result of the new immigration law." The Birmingham News
• Underwood, Madison (October 26, 2011) "Max’s Deli owner weathers criticism for speaking out on immigration." Weld for Birmingham
• Carlton, Bob (January 9, 2013) "Max's Delicatessen owner, who took stance on Alabama's immigration law, is selling his business." The Birmingham News