This Century-Old Italian Market In Iowa Feels Like A Little Slice Of Italy

A sandwich called the Knuckle Sandwich comes stacked with coppa, hot soppressata, pepperoni, and hot pepper cheese. Another one is named Mose With The Nose. Somebody behind that deli counter clearly has a sense of humor.

The jokes stop at the sausage, though. It follows a Calabrian-style recipe built on fennel, paprika, and red peppers. Two teenage brothers brought those flavors to Iowa after arriving from Italy in 1903.

Today the shelves hold truffle oils, Castelvetrano olives, fresh ravioli, tinned fish, and cannoli. The air carries the scent of spices. There are no tables, so every order leaves in a bag.

I appreciate a place that skips the fuss and lets the food do the talking. Honestly, I’d probably grab a sandwich and a pound of sausage before deciding anything else.

Two Teenage Brothers Built Something That Outlasted Everyone’s Expectations

Back in 1903, Francesco and Luigi Graziano left San Morello in the Calabria region of Italy. They landed in America as teenagers with big plans and very little else.

Their first jobs had nothing to do with groceries. Both brothers worked for the Great Western Railway in Des Moines before opening their own shop.

Graziano Brothers opened its doors in 1912. That makes it one of the longest-running family food businesses you’ll find anywhere in Iowa.

Kindness shaped the story too. During the Great Depression, the brothers extended credit to neighbors who were struggling to put food on the table.

That kind of generosity tends to stick in a community’s memory. It also explains why the store became a cornerstone of the neighborhood instead of just another shop.

Family still runs the show today. Frances Graziano, granddaughter of Francesco and great-niece of Luigi, now leads the business as president and CEO.

I love that the name on the sign still belongs to the people behind the counter. Over a century later, the founders’ footsteps are still being followed, one sausage link at a time.

South Union Street Was Once The Heart Of Little Italy

Street names rarely carry much emotion. South Union Street is different, because it sat at the center of what Des Moines called Little Italy.

The store’s address is 1601 S Union St, Des Moines, IA 50315. It sits on the south side of the city, close to downtown and across the river from Principal Park.

Italian families once filled this part of town with their bakeries, gardens, and traditions. Graziano Brothers became one of the anchors that held that community together.

Plenty of old neighborhoods change beyond recognition. This market stayed put, which gives the corner a sense of continuity that feels rare in a growing Iowa city.

Getting there is easy if you’re already downtown. A quick drive south puts you right at the door, so it pairs nicely with errands or a ballgame day.

Plan around the hours, though. The store is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday until 5 p.m.

Sundays are a day off. Show up then and you’ll be staring longingly through the window, which is nobody’s idea of fun.

Your Nose Will Know You’ve Arrived Before Your Eyes Do

Spices hit first. The aroma greets you the moment the door swings open, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.

The space itself is small and packed tight with shelves. Every inch seems to hold something imported, homemade, or hard to find at a regular supermarket.

That compact layout works in your favor. You can browse the whole store fairly quickly, though resisting a second lap is a different challenge entirely.

Refrigerated cases hold fresh pasta and homemade products. Nearby shelves carry olive oils, truffle oils, tomato sauces, and bulk herbs that make a home kitchen feel instantly more ambitious.

The vibe leans authentic and historic rather than polished and trendy. It feels like a working neighborhood market because that’s exactly what it has been for generations.

One thing to know before you go: there are no indoor or outdoor tables. Every order is takeout, so plan a picnic spot or prepare for some creative car dining.

Honestly, a crowded little store full of good smells beats a sprawling, echoey supermarket any day. Smaller can definitely mean mightier here.

Fennel, Paprika, And A Sausage With Serious Bragging Rights

If one product carries the family legacy, it’s the Italian sausage. The recipe leans on traditional Calabrian flavors like fennel, paprika, and red peppers.

You can choose between sweet and medium heat. It comes in bulk, links, or patties, so it fits nearly any recipe you have in mind.

Pasta sauce, pizza, breakfast patties, or a simple pan of sausage and peppers all work. I can’t imagine leaving the store without at least a pound tucked under my arm.

The reach goes well beyond South Union Street. Graziano Brothers sausage is distributed to other grocery stores around Iowa, including Hy-Vee locations.

Still, buying it at the original counter feels special. This is where the recipe started, and the family has been grinding and seasoning it here for generations.

The company expanded into wholesale distribution in 1948. That move helped turn a neighborhood favorite into a name recognized far beyond Des Moines.

Housemade meatballs are worth a look too. Pair them with one of the store’s five varieties of pasta sauce, and dinner basically handles itself.

The Grinder Is A Des Moines Legend In Sandwich Form

Sausage, fried peppers, mozzarella, and sauce, all piled onto a hoagie bun. That’s the Grinder, a signature Des Moines sandwich built around the store’s famous sausage.

It makes perfect sense as the headliner. When your sausage is the star of the show, you give it a sandwich worthy of the spotlight.

The hot side of the menu doesn’t stop there. A Spicy Meatball sandwich uses those housemade meatballs, which feels like a smart use of family recipes.

There’s also an Italian Beef Sandwich served with au jus and giardiniera. That combination brings tang, crunch, and plenty of reasons to grab extra napkins.

Every sandwich is made to order at the deli counter. While you wait, you can shop the aisles and fill a basket with dinner ingredients.

Remember the no-tables rule before ordering. A loaded hot sandwich in the car takes a little strategy, so maybe skip the white shirt.

I’d probably start with the Grinder on a first visit. Skipping the house specialty at a place famous for sausage seems like a missed opportunity.

Sandwich Names So Fun You’ll Want To Order Them Out Loud

Ordering a Badabing feels a little like delivering a punchline. The cold sandwich menu here has plenty of personality, and the fillings back it up.

The Franco pairs coppa and provolone with fried peppers and onions. The Mama Mia layers Italian turkey, prosciutto, and aged provolone.

Mortadella fans should look at the Luigi, with sharp provolone and pesto mayo. The Muffaletta stacks coppa, salami, mortadella, provolone, and olive spread.

Then there’s the Italian Stallion with Italian roast beef and provolone. The Knuckle Sandwich brings the heat with hot soppressata, pepperoni, and hot pepper cheese.

Panini get the same playful treatment. The Goomba pairs prosciutto with fontina, while Mose With The Nose combines brick cheese and salami.

The Guido adds pepperoni and pepperoncini for a little zip. A Caprese with fresh mozzarella and tomato keeps things lighter.

Picking just one might be the hardest part of your day. Bringing a friend and splitting two sandwiches seems like the most diplomatic solution.

Stock A Pantry That Would Impress Any Italian Grandmother

Home cooks, consider this your playground. The market carries a deep mix of imported and domestic Italian foods that can upgrade an ordinary weeknight dinner.

Fresh pasta includes ravioli, lasagna, cavatelli, and manicotti. Add Ginos tomato sauces from the shelf, and you’re most of the way to a feast.

The meat counter carries prosciutto, coppa, salami, mortadella, hot soppressata, pepperoni, and Italian roast beef. Building a snack board here takes almost no effort.

Cheese lovers get sharp provolone, brick, fresh mozzarella, and hot pepper cheese. Breads come from local bakeries with Italian roots, keeping the neighborhood connection alive.

Bulk spices and herbs deserve a spot in your basket. The store’s special blend of Italian seasonings is a handy shortcut for sauces, meatballs, and roasted vegetables.

Smaller treasures fill in the gaps. Castelvetrano olives, tinned fish, and cannoli all make easy add-ons when you’re already standing at the register.

I appreciate a store that lets you shop for one recipe or an entire holiday dinner. Either way, you’ll leave with more than your list.

Keep An Eye Out For The Sausage Mobile

Yes, there’s a food truck, and yes, it’s called the Sausage Mobile. Few names describe their purpose quite so honestly.

The truck takes the store’s flavors on the road. Its menu includes the famous Grinder, the Italian Beef, and the Spicy Meatball sandwiches.

It also branches out beyond the store’s deli lineup. Fried Ravioli and Fried Cheesesticks make easy appetizers for sharing, or for not sharing.

Salads show up too, including Pasta Salad and an Italian Wedge Salad. Those give you something fresh to balance out all that sausage.

Dessert comes in the form of Italian Lemon Ice. On a warm Iowa afternoon, that sounds like exactly the right finish.

The truck adds a fun twist to a business with such deep roots. A century-old family market rolling out a modern food truck feels like tradition with a good sense of adventure.

Spotting it around town might become your new favorite game. Following the family’s official channels is the best way to learn where it will park next.

A Few Smart Moves Make Your Visit Even Better

Timing matters more than you’d think. Graziano Brothers closes at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on Saturdays, so late-afternoon cravings need a head start.

Lunch is a natural time to swing by. Order a sandwich, then shop while it’s being made, and you’ve handled two errands at once.

Calling ahead with a sandwich order can save time on busy days. That’s a simple move that keeps your lunch break from turning into a lunch marathon.

Holiday hours shift a bit. The store closes early on New Year’s Eve and stays closed on New Year’s Day.

Bring a cooler if you’re driving in from elsewhere in Iowa. Fresh sausage, cheese, and pasta travel much better when they stay cold.

Plan your eating spot before you leave too. Since the store has no seating, a nearby park or your own kitchen table makes a fine backup.

Most of all, go curious. A family market with more than a century of history rewards people who take their time and try something new.