Staten Island still has delis where the mozzarella is made in-house, the heroes are stacked high, and the counter staff know how you like your cutlet. In a city full of grab-and-go chains and self-checkout lanes, these shops have held onto the old way of doing things.
We rounded up eight Italian delis, pork stores, and salumerias spread across the borough, from Bay Street down to Amboy Road. Some are family-owned spots with decades behind them, while others double as butcher shops, pasta makers, and catering kitchens.
Every one of them gives you a real reason to skip the supermarket deli case. If you grew up on Sunday sauce and fresh muzz, this list should feel like home.
Save it for your next lunch run, or send it to the friend who always argues about who makes the best sandwich on the Island.
1. Little Italy Gourmet, Staten Island, NY
Warm mozzarella is the calling card at this North Railroad Avenue market. The fresh mozzarella here is reportedly often still warm, pulled right out of the pot, which is about as old-school as a deli gets.
Little Italy Gourmet runs as an Italian gourmet market, so the menu goes well beyond cold cuts. Fresh prepared meals and sandwiches fill out the counter, and the shop is also known for solid produce.
I would save this one for a weeknight when cooking is not happening. Grab a tray of something prepared, add a ball of mozzarella, and dinner is mostly handled.
The shop sits at 1375 N Railroad Ave in the 10306 area. Hours run 8 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 4 PM on Sunday.
Weekday mornings and Saturday afternoons tend to be busy. Tuesday evening is usually the quietest window, and delivery is available if you would rather stay put.
2. Montalbano’s, Staten Island, NY
Bay Street has a pork store that still makes its own mozzarella, and that alone earns Montalbano’s a spot here. The long-standing, family-owned deli handles Italian lunch fare, charcuterie, and specialty grocery items under one roof.
The homemade fresh mozzarella pairs nicely with the roasted peppers on a hero, ideally with a light swipe of mayo. Beyond sandwiches, the counter carries homemade eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, grilled artichokes, Sicilian pastas, and store-made soups.
Prices stay reasonable, with most people spending around $10 to $30. There is also a full catering menu for parties and holidays.
You will find it at 1140 Bay St in the 10305 zip code. It is closed Mondays, open 8 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and 8 AM to 2 PM on Sunday.
Parking is easy, with a free lot and free street parking nearby. Just note there is no restroom, so plan a quick in-and-out stop.
3. Pastosa Ravioli & Andy Pasta Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY
Plan on spending more time than you expected. The Italian pantry section at this Forest Avenue shop is big enough to wander through, aisle after aisle of imported goods and staples.
Pastosa built its name on fresh pasta, and the store carries plenty of it alongside prepared foods for easy dinners. Fresh mozzarella is made daily, and getting it home without eating a chunk in the car takes real willpower.
I like this stop for stocking up before a big family meal. Pasta, cheese, and pantry basics all come from one counter run.
The address is 764 Forest Ave, 10310. Hours are 8:30 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, 8:30 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, and 8:30 AM to 3 PM on Sunday.
Sunday afternoon draws the biggest crowd, so weekday mornings are the calmer bet. Delivery, including no-contact delivery, is also offered.
4. Italo A&S Fine Foods, Staten Island, NY
Forest Avenue packs two Italian staples within a short stretch, and Italo A&S sits right across the way at number 725. It works as both an Italian deli and a butcher shop, which makes it handy for lunch and dinner shopping in one stop.
Fresh mozzarella is a big draw, and around the holidays the early-morning supply tends to go in larger pieces. The lunch selection is wide, with ready-to-go food and sandwiches for people on a schedule.
The staff have a reputation for being friendly and quick with a smile. Most visits land in the $10 to $20 range per person.
Doors open at 9 AM daily, closing at 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 4 PM on Sunday. Weekends and Friday mornings get busy, while Thursday morning is usually quieter.
Takeout and delivery are both available.
5. Novelli’s Pork Store, Staten Island, NY
A meat department, an on-site bakery, and a cooking kitchen all share space at Novelli’s. That combination makes this Amboy Road pork store feel like a full Italian neighborhood market rather than just a sandwich counter.
Daily fresh meals rotate through, and the sandwiches have a strong following. The homemade mozzarella is another reason people keep coming back.
Catering is a big part of the business too. Staff are known for treating customers like family, which fits the old-school pork store spirit.
Find it at 3161 Amboy Rd in the 10306 area, with on-site parking. Hours run 8 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, and 8 AM to 2 PM on Sunday.
6. Ariemma’s Italian Deli, Staten Island, NY
A $2.99 breakfast hero still exists on Hylan Boulevard. Ariemma’s has offered a sausage, egg, and fresh mozzarella hero at that price, which feels like a small miracle in today’s New York.
This family-owned deli serves authentic sandwiches and house-made specialties. One standout hero stacks fried chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto di Parma, roasted red peppers, and red onion.
Portions run big and the sandwich options seem endless. The storefront and old-school door handle give it the look of a shop from an earlier era.
It is at 1791 Hylan Blvd, 10305. Note the schedule: closed Monday and Tuesday, open 9:30 AM to 7 PM Wednesday through Friday, and 9:30 AM to 5 PM on weekends.
Thursday and Friday afternoons are the busiest. Free street parking is available, but there is no restroom.
7. Antonio’s Gourmet Salumeria, Staten Island, NY
Down at the south end of the Island, near Tottenville, Antonio’s keeps the salumeria tradition going strong. The shop combines a gourmet Italian grocery with a proper butcher counter.
The deli case is full of custom-cut meats and fresh sausage, laid out with clear care. Fresh bread, a large variety of salads, and subs round things out.
The rice balls and fresh mozzarella are reportedly among the best around. If you live on the South Shore, this is the kind of place I’d visit before a weekend barbecue.
The address is 7319 Amboy Rd, 10307. It is closed Wednesdays, open 9 AM to 6 PM on other weekdays and Saturday, and 9 AM to 4 PM on Sunday.
In-store pickup and delivery are both options.
8. Belfiore Meats, Staten Island, NY
Steaks, pork chops, seafood, and fresh muzz in one trip is a pretty good deal. Belfiore Meats on Victory Boulevard runs as both an Italian butcher shop and a deli.
The deli meats are a strong point, along with homemade take-home meals and roasted peppers. The shop is known for being clean, organized, and friendly, with music playing at the counter.
Catering is available for gatherings, and on-site parking makes pickup simple.
Find it at 2500 Victory Blvd, 10314. Hours are 8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 8 AM to 2 PM on Sunday.
Sunday mornings get crowded, so a weekday visit is easier. Taken together, these eight shops prove Staten Island has not given up on fresh mozzarella, big heroes, and counters run by people who know your order.
Share this story
