This Small Delaware Italian Deli Has Served Its Italian Subs To Generations Since 1956

The street outside this sub shop is named after the shop itself, not the other way around. That tells you how deep its roots run in this corner of Delaware.

An Italian immigrant bought a small neighborhood grocery here in 1956, and the business officially kicked off on Labor Day. When chain supermarkets started squeezing him out, he pivoted to subs and cheesesteaks.

I can’t help but think that was one of the smartest moves in sandwich history. Four generations later, the same family is still slicing, stacking, and wrapping.

All nine of the founder’s children worked in the business, and so did his grandchildren. So what does a roll taste like after seventy years of practice?

A Grocery Store Gamble Turned Into A Sandwich Legacy

Back in 1956, Luigi Casapulla and his wife, Anna, opened a neighborhood grocery store in Elsmere, Delaware. Luigi had come to America from Italy decades earlier, in 1921.

That shop grew into Casapulla’s Elsmere original STEAK and SUB SHOP, though most folks simply call it Casapulla’s. The business officially opened its doors on Labor Day of that year.

Running a corner grocery wasn’t easy for long. Big chain supermarkets moved into the area and started pulling shoppers away.

Luigi didn’t pack up and quit. He leaned harder into the deli counter and started making Italian subs and cheesesteaks instead.

That choice changed everything for the family. The little grocery slowly became a full-service Italian delicatessen with an eat-in restaurant.

Honestly, it’s a great lesson in adapting without losing who you are. Luigi didn’t try to out-supermarket the supermarkets.

He simply made something they couldn’t copy. A freshly built sub from a family who knew their neighbors by name is tough competition for any chain.

Casapulla’s marked 70 years in 2026. Not bad for a backup plan that started with a deli slicer and a lot of stubbornness.

The Italian Hoagie Is The Whole Reason For The Trip

Salami, capicola, and pepper ham. That trio forms the backbone of the Italian sub that put Casapulla’s on the map.

You can add sharp provolone, and many people would argue you should. It brings a tangy bite that stands up nicely to the cured meats.

Now for the part that sparks friendly debates. Casapulla’s dresses its Italian with oil and skips the vinegar entirely.

Sweet peppers and hot peppers are both optional extras. Pick sweet for a mellow sandwich or hot if you like a little kick with your lunch.

The roll deserves its own spotlight. Roadfood described it as just short of crispy on the outside and soft yet still firm inside.

That balance matters more than you’d think. A roll that’s too soft turns soggy, while one that’s too hard fights back with every bite.

Here’s a practical tip for first-timers. Order the classic version before you start customizing, so you know the baseline.

Then come back and play around with peppers and cheese. After all, the shop has had decades to perfect this sandwich, so it’s fair to taste their version first.

Old School Fans Have A Sub With Their Name On It

Hot soppressata, old fashion capicola, sharp provolone, and prosciutto all share one roll. That lineup is called the Old School Italian, and the name fits perfectly.

It’s a sandwich for people who like bold, cured flavors. Think of it as the regular Italian’s louder cousin.

Prefer to keep things simpler? There’s also an Italian with Prosciutto for anyone who wants that salty, silky upgrade without the extra heat.

The cold sub list keeps going from there. Ham and Cheese, Roast Beef, Imported Ham, Corned Beef, and Tuna all have spots on the menu.

Seafood Salad and Chicken Salad subs are available too. Vegetarians aren’t left out, thanks to a Veggie Sub and a Mixed Cheese option.

Turkey lovers get a surprising number of choices. You can pick Home Cooked, Deli, Stuffer, or Boar’s Head turkey.

That’s four turkey styles at one sub shop, which feels almost like a personality quiz. Choose wisely.

A handy strategy for groups is to order a few different subs and split them. Everyone gets a taste of the menu, and nobody suffers from sandwich envy on the ride home.

Hot Sandwiches Make A Strong Case For Ordering Two

Cheesesteaks were part of Luigi’s original comeback plan, so they carry real history here. At Casapulla’s, they come stuffed with meat and freshly made.

Out and About magazine praised the perfect blend of cheese and grease. That’s honest sandwich talk, and it’s meant as a compliment.

Want to customize? Ketchup and hot peppers can be added on request, so speak up when you order.

The steak family runs deep. Regular Steak, Cheese Steak, Mushroom Steak, and Chicken Steak all appear on the hot side of the menu.

Then come the Italian-leaning favorites. Meatball subs and Italian Sausage, in hot or sweet, round out the lineup nicely.

One sandwich stands out for anyone who loves bitter greens. The Hot Pork, Broccoli Rabe, and Sharp Provolone combo is a true Italian deli classic.

Morning crowds have options too. Ham and Egg, Pepper and Egg, and Pepperoni and Egg sandwiches make breakfast feel properly old-school.

Roast Beef au Jus and burgers in different sizes fill out the hot menu. Good luck picking just one, because that might be the hardest decision of your day.

Small Space, Big Energy, Zero Pretending

Fancy decor isn’t the draw here, and nobody seems bothered by that. The original Casapulla’s has been described as a hole-in-the-wall with a cramped space.

That same description adds that it’s bustling with activity. Honestly, those two things tend to go together at the best sandwich counters.

A tight room keeps the focus where it belongs. You’re there for the subs, the steaks, and a quick hello across the counter.

There’s no outdoor seating at this location. Plan accordingly if you were dreaming of a picnic table lunch in the sun.

The shop also doesn’t serve any alcohol. It’s a straightforward deli, and it wears that identity proudly.

Think of the space as part of the charm rather than a drawback. Places that have stayed busy for decades rarely need to dress things up.

A smart move is to know your order before you reach the counter. It keeps things moving and makes you look like a pro.

And if the room feels full, consider grabbing your food to go. A great sub tastes just as good in your car, maybe even better.

Four Generations Have Kept The Slicers Humming

Family businesses often fade after a generation or two. Casapulla’s has now been carried forward by four generations of the Casapulla family.

That’s rare in any industry. In the restaurant world, where long hours are standard, it’s downright impressive.

Here’s a detail that really sticks. All nine of Luigi’s children worked in the business at some point.

His grandchildren followed the same path, and today granddaughter Annlynn Casapulla oversees operations at the Elsmere store where she grew up. Luigi himself worked at the shop until he passed away in 1985.

Growing up behind a deli counter teaches skills you can’t get from a textbook. Kids learn speed, patience, and how to remember a regular’s order.

Those lessons get passed down along with the recipes. Over time, that creates a consistency customers can actually taste.

Luigi’s influence still shapes how the shop runs today. His values helped form the mission that guides the business.

Whenever you order here, you’re supporting a story that started with one immigrant’s grocery store. That’s a pretty meaningful way to spend your lunch break in Delaware.

Friendly Service Is Baked Right Into The Mission

Plenty of restaurants talk about service, but Casapulla’s built it into its official mission. The goal is serving the best subs, steaks, and deli items in a friendly and courteous manner.

That mission also promises the freshest ingredients at a reasonable price. Luigi Casapulla helped shape those values from the very start.

The family calls its approach customer care. The idea is simple: get to know customers and genuinely care about them.

That sounds old-fashioned, and that’s exactly the point. It’s how a neighborhood grocery earned loyalty long before apps and rewards cards existed.

The staff has been described as hardworking and nice as can be. One write-up even pointed out their perfect Delaware accents.

If you’ve never heard that local accent, consider it a free bonus with your order. It’s part of what makes the place feel rooted in its hometown.

A little kindness goes both ways at a busy counter. Be patient when it’s crowded and say thanks when your sub arrives.

You might even become a familiar face yourself. Around here, that seems to be exactly what the family hopes for.

Yes, The Shop Really Lives On Its Own Street

Most businesses get named after streets. Casapulla’s flipped that script, since Casapulla Avenue was named after the shop.

You’ll find it at 514 Casapulla Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805. The neighborhood is Elsmere, Delaware, which explains the original Elsmere label on the sign.

Having a street named for your sandwich shop is quite the badge of honor. It shows how tightly the business is woven into the community.

Getting there is refreshingly easy. The shop has its own private parking lot for customers.

That’s a real perk compared with many older delis. Circling the block hunting for a spot gets old fast when you’re hungry.

Hours start in the morning and run into the evening, with later closing times on Fridays and Saturdays. Call (302) 994-5934 to confirm current hours before you go.

Those early hours open the door for breakfast sandwiches. The egg sandwiches make a strong case for a morning stop.

Before heading out, double-check the hours in case of holidays. Then pull into the lot, grab your order, and enjoy lunch on a street with a delicious name.

Round Out Your Order With Sides, Salads, And Something Sweet

Skin-on fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks are waiting to join your sub. The sides menu at Casapulla’s is bigger than many people expect.

Jalapeno poppers, broccoli and cheese bites, and chicken tenders are on there too. Kids and picky eaters usually find something they like.

Cold sides keep the deli spirit alive. Potato salad, macaroni salad, pasta salad, and cole slaw all make classic partners for a sandwich.

Salads are available for lighter appetites. Choose from Tossed, Chef, Tuna Salad, or Chicken Salad.

Dessert might be the sneakiest part of the menu. Cheesecake, rice pudding, and tapioca pudding feel wonderfully old-school.

Rice pudding at an Italian deli just seems right. It’s comfort food that matches the shop’s long family history.

Not up for leaving the house? Casapulla’s offers takeout, plus delivery through DoorDash and Grubhub.

That makes it handy for office lunches or lazy Sundays. Either way, generations of Delaware families have trusted this counter, and one bite of that roll explains why they keep coming back.