Italian delis are a significant part of the American deli experience that introduced affordable and quality Italian food to the masses.
When you enter an Italian deli for the first time, you may experience the ultimate sensory experience as you smell sharp Italian cheese, hear the crackling of fresh Italian bread, see pink and red cured salamis and thinly sliced deli meats, and taste fresh house mozzarella.
You will see various imported Italian products on the shelves, such as peppers, pasta, olives, and, best of all, Italian sodas.
From tangy lasagnas to creamy pasta dishes, we have listed the top 20 Italian delis in the US, serving patrons the best Italian deli dishes.
Here Are the Top 20 Italian Delis in the United States
20. Corti Brothers [Sacramento, California]
Corti Brothers is an Italian grocery store and deli that takes its delicacies very seriously. From antelope meat to kangaroo meat, you can find all types of meat stock at Corti Brothers.
Locals and tourists describe their sandwiches as iconic. Their products are all the rage in the region as their newsletter regarding their offerings has been in print since 1967.
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19. Molinari Delicatessen [San Francisco, California]
Nobody does Italian deli food better than Molinari Delicatessen in San Francisco. The eatery was first established in 1896 and has been known for its homemade products and imported Italian goods.
You will be able to find sandwiches on their menu featuring authentic and quality mortadella, prosciutto, salami, and other delectable meats topped with fresh vegetables and Italian cheese.
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18. Caputo’s Gourmet Market and Deli [Salt Lake City, Utah]
This market is known for its wide variety of cheeses and delicious Italian sandwiches. You can find outstanding Italian subs like The Soprano with a delectable roasted red pepper spread.
Chocolate lovers can also find delicious and authentic Italian chocolate at Caputo’s and take classes like Craft Chocolate 101.
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17. A Taste of Italy [Wilmington, North Carolina]
This old-school Italian deli was started in 1994 by a duo of brothers with Italian American heritage from the Bronx.
These brothers worked together to deliver exceptional quality products to the people with dishes that were designed to bring people together. From various types of cold cuts to delicious deli cheese, you can find all classic Italian deli products at A Taste of Italy.
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16. Sugar Hill Sub Shop [Atlantic City, New Jersey]
At the Sugar Hill Sub Shop in Atlantic City, you can find an array of Italian subs priced affordably and taste outstandingly delicious.
The Italian Stallion from the Sugar Hill Sub Shop features black pepper ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo or olive oil, and other imported cold cuts wrapped in basic white Italian bread. The size of the sandwich is large and filling, and the taste surpasses most Italian delis in the area.
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15. Monica’s Mercato [Boston, Massachusetts]
Any local from Boston knows Monica’s Mercato is the place to go for authentic Italian cold cuts and delicious artisanal condiments.
Monica’s Original Italian Sub from the establishment is a must-try item whenever you are in the area since it is made with fantastic attention to detail, from freshly baked bread to thin slices of meat.
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14. Bub & Pops [Washington, DC]
Bub & Pops is known to sell the most delicious Italian sub in all of Washington, D.C. Their Bub’s Italian Hoagie checks all the boxes for a well-prepared and delicious Italian sub.
The sandwich features paper-thin slices of capicola and pepperoni, provolone cheese, and all the deli classic vegetables and condiments. Moreover, Bub’s vinaigrette and Pecorino Romano cheese add an irresistible zing of flavor to the sandwich.
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13. Lioni’s Italian Heroes [Brooklyn, New York]
Lioni’s is the place to visit when you want an Italian sub that won’t disappoint. Most Italian sandwiches at the establishment are named after famous Italians (Sinatra, Stallion, etc.) and have unique, delicious flavors of their own.
Sandwich #62 is a customer favorite that comes with a breaded chicken cutlet with prosciutto di Parma, a pesto sauce made from scratch, and mouth-watering mozzarella.
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12. Uncle Paulie’s [Los Angeles, California]
Uncle Paulie’s is a recent Italian deli spot in Los Angeles that has amassed a loyal following due to its fantastic, fresh flavors.
Their Gloria sandwich consists of spicy soppressata, arugula, olive oil, provolone, and a balsamic glaze that is to-die-for delicious.
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11. The Italian Store [Arlington, Virginia]
Aside from delectable pizza flavors, you can also find mind-blowing Italian subs at the Italian Store in Arlington, Virginia.
The Milano is a customer-favorite sub that comes in a hard roll and a heap of Genoa salami and ham. Along with the delicious, cured meat, you can find provolone cheese, shredded lettuce, and other flavorful condiments in the Milano, which make it a best-seller for the store.
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10. DiPasquale’s Marketplace [Baltimore, Maryland]
This corner store, founded by Luigi DiPasquale almost a hundred years ago, showcases some of the best Italian offerings in the region. You can find fresh pizzas, cookies, and Italian salads sold by the pound at the store.
The Real Italian on DiPasquale’s Marketplace menu is the star sub featuring salami, mortadella, capicola, pepper ham, and provolone.
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9. White House Sub Shop [Atlantic City, New Jersey]
White House Sub Shop is one of the best roadside delis you will find in the U.S. that serves authentic Italian sandwiches made with the finest ingredients.
The establishment has served actors and politicians and has even been named an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation. Although there might be a lineup for their fantastic offerings, their products’ taste is definitely worth the wait.
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8. Giamela’s [Los Angeles, California]
Although Giamela’s is best known for its sliced cheese and cold cuts, their Hot Sub is a bestseller that no customer can resist. Giamela’s sandwiches are known to carry the authentic East Coast deli flavor.
People craving classic Italian deli delights can easily find hot and cold deli sandwiches at the establishment. Aside from that, Giamela’s also serves loaded pizzas, salads, and pasta to its patrons looking for comforting Italian food.
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7. Amato’s [Portland, Maine]
Nobody does the classic Italian ham and cheese sandwich better than Amato’s in Portland, Maine.
Aside from their range of traditional Italian subs, customers can also find a variety of different Italian wraps, pasta, and pizzas at the deli.
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6. Gioia’s Deli [St. Louis, Missouri]
People have made a pilgrimage to Giola’s deli for their classic thick sausage Italian sandwiches that are unlike any other.
If you ever have the chance to visit the establishment, we recommend trying the Hot Salami Sandwich that you can easily customize to your taste.
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5. Gonella’s [Detroit, Michigan]
Gonella’s is a popular Italian establishment that has been serving one-of-a-kind Italian subs to locals for more than 75 years.
The eatery is famous for serving freshly made subs made using the best quality ingredients.
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4. Sal, Kris, & Charlie’s Deli [Queens, New York]
This deli in Queens offers patrons heavy meat-laden sandwiches at the most reasonable prices. The Bomb is one of their most famous sandwiches that has received national attention from USA Today and The New York Times.
Try the sandwich out yourself to see if it lives up to the hype.
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3. J. P. Graziano [Chicago, Illinois]
J.P. Graziano serves the best mouth-watering, handmade Italian sandwiches in Chicago. Their most popular sandwich, Mr. G, is named after the founder’s father and has been called the best Italian sandwich in the US by Chicago Magazine and Thrillist.
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2. Bari Foods [Chicago, Illinois]
Bari Foods is another famous Italian deli in Chicago that serves authentic Italian sandwiches and other classic staples.
Their Italian Roast Beef sub is insanely popular and has been named the deli’s crown jewel by outlets like Eater, RoadFood, & Taste Atlas.
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1. Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery [Los Angeles, California]
Bay Cities is one of the most popular delis in Los Angeles. It has endless options but it is best known for its famous sandwich The Godmother. The Godmother is a delicious Italian sandwich that includes many different Italian deli meats in one sandwich – it includes mortadella, capicola, Genoa salami, ham, prosciutto, and provolone.
It is served on a delicious crusty bread the deli makes fresh all day long. And if you order with “the works” it includes mayo, mustard, onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, Italian dressing and hot pepper salad.
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Top 20 Italian Delis in the United States – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an Italian deli called?
An Italian deli can be called a salumeria, gastronomia, negozio di specialità gastronomiche, or bottega alimentare.
What is the most popular Italian meat?
Pork is the most famous Italian meat; however, many Italian sausages and salamis are made with other meats such as turkey, beef, goose, and wild boar. Pork is used to make many salamis such as mortadella, soppressata, and coppa.
What is the best Italian deli meat?
There is a large variety of Italian deli meats, among which the ones considered best are: porchetta, prosciutto, pancetta, mortadella, culatello, and mortadella.
The 12 Absolute Best Italian Subs from Delis in the US
Call it by whatever name you want: a sub, a hoagie, a hero. By any name, an Italian sub is a truly delicious mountain of meat, cheese, and bread. While you may assume that all the best Italian subs in the U.S. come from the northeastern corner of the country, the truth is that great Italian subs come from all over the nation.
So, if you’re curious if you can get one of the best Italian subs in the country where you live, watch and find out. Then get in your car and go to sandwich heaven. These are the 12 absolute best Italian subs in the U.S.
Summary
Although the East Coast is credited for being the hub of Italian deli food and subs, there are a variety of fantastic Italian delis all over the US that also deserve attention for their creativity and flavor.
All the delis mentioned above feature authentic ingredients, family recipes, and traditional preparation techniques in their dishes, making them stand out from the rest. Visit some of the top Italian delis in the United States from the list and check if the flavors and dishes live up to the raving reviews.
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The Interesting History of the Delicatessen
The Most Notable Deli in Every State
My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
