A new waterfront deli is serving its version of a classic American sandwich. Ava's Seaside Deli opened last month with a menu consisting of breakfast and lunchtime sandwiches. But the one sandwich that ranks among the early favorites is the Pastrami Nightmare: a Reuben-like sandwich served on rye bread, loaded with pastrami and sauerkraut, swiss cheese and homemade Russian dressing, according to owner Kristen Dugay.

The Pastrami Nightmare is a sandwich imported from Dugay’s home state of Connecticut. Her parents often stopped in an Orange, Conn., deli when they dated and regularly ordered the pastrami sandwich.

“When my dad heard about our deli, he said we had to serve the Pastrami Nightmare,” Dugay said. “And I told him absolutely.”

Dugay opened the deli after working in other cafes and bed and breakfasts in Boothbay Harbor. Her family moved here in 2007 after spending their vacations here during the past two decades. She first visited the region on her honeymoon in 1988.

Dugay runs Ava's Seaside Cafe with her oldest son, TJ, who recently took culinary arts courses in Arizona. The deli is named after his 7-month-old daughter. For the Dugays, the business combines two things they are passionate about: serving good food and the Boothbay region.

“I knew I wanted to open a deli, a cafe or a bed and breakfast here,” Kristen Dugay said. “I've always loved the people, the atmosphere and the food this area offers. And I thought this would be the ideal time to do it.”

The deli is a seasonal business. Dugay plans on opening each May and closing in October. The deli is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The breakfast menu includes egg sandwiches with a choice of ham, bacon, or sausage served on an English muffin, croissant, roll or bagel. The Breakfast Scramble Wrap is the other breakfast option. The wrap includes a scrambled egg, choice of ham,  bacon, or sausage and assorted vegetables.

Ava’s Seaside Deli also offers an assortment of cold cut options. Dugay uses ham, roast beef, pastrami, turkey and blackened turkey from Boar’s Head Meats. She uses the Boar’s Head Meats because the cold cuts have no preservatives. Other sandwich choices include tuna and chicken salad.The lunchtime sandwiches are served on white, wheat, rye or a sub roll.

Each Friday, the deli  offers a hot roast beef sandwich special served in its own au jus. Dugay wanted to promote the deli by offering a special dish each Friday. This led her to creating French Dip Fridays.

Ava’s Seaside Deli also serves garden, chef, Caesar and Cobb salads. For dessert, the deli offers a four-layer carrot cake and fresh fruit salads. For coffee drinkers, there is latte, mocha, French Vanilla, hazelnut and espresso.

The deli is located at 21 Wharf Street on Pier 1.