Tanya Jaynes, now Boatwright, grew up in New Haven, Connecticut in the 1970s and ‘80s and loved visiting the Italian, Jewish, and Polish delis in the area, as well as different bakeries, bodegas, and markets. Each one had their own feel, with unique menu items or certain products on sale. It encouraged a love of variety, as well as a love of food.

“I started cooking when I was 18 or 19 years old, but I didn’t understand the power of food until I saw it help my son after a medical issue,” Tanya said. “His nurses told me to keep doing what I was doing because it changed his whole demeanor.”

Tanya moved to Decatur in 1992 and moved to McDonough in 2001. She was encouraged by her husband, Kevin, to start a restaurant.

“He said, ‘The world needs to taste this food,’” Tanya recalled. “I first started selling food out of my kitchen with Kevin going to warehouses and workplaces to reach workers around lunchtime. After that was a food truck.”

The food truck indirectly led the Boatwrights to BoJaynes’ original location in McDonough.

“We just happened to break down near a Mexican grocery store that was going out of business. It had the layout and even some of the equipment we needed,” Tanya said. “We sold the truck and moved into the location. We were there for eight years before we outgrew the location and had to move.”

Now located at 371 Keys Ferry Road in McDonough, BoJaynes Gourmet Market and Deli has been serving quality items for 18 years. Customers were coming in for the sandwiches, salads, coffees, and pastries, but several items became among the most beloved; the chicken salads, the Tribeca grinders.

“The chicken salad was an accident,” Tanya said. “One day, I had overcooked the chicken for the grinders (subs) but I couldn’t waste it. I grinded the meat, added an aioli, and put it out for people to sample. Thanks to word of mouth, it just grew from there. Now I have three kinds and each one has their fans.”

The fans may be coming for the unique tastes that come from Boatwright’s spices and seasoning. The dishes at BoJaynes’ are flavorful because Tanya believes that comfort food doesn’t have to be bland. Among the spice blends that are for sale for individual use are the Nubian Blend, which is for Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dishes, the Collard Green blend, and the Lemon Pepper blend. Like nearly everything in the store, the ingredients are high-quality and all-natural.

“Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or an omnivore, we have something for you,” Tanya said. “I come in every day and feel connected with the food and the community. I want our customers to enjoy that vibe as well.”

To learn more about BoJaynes Gourmet Market and Deli, visit bojaynesspecialtyfoods.com or call 770-914-1154.

By Mike Boylan