This Unassuming New Jersey Deli Makes Old-Fashioned Italian Sandwiches Worth Going Out Of Your Way For

The mozzarella here gets made fresh every single day, right on site. New Jersey Monthly once called it the best in the state. That’s a big title for a small deli counter.

The family behind it traces its food traditions to Puglia, Italy. The shop opened in 1975, and a nephew has carried it forward since 2004. Your sandwich still comes wrapped in wax paper, the old-school way.

The menu reads like a cold cut lover’s daydream. Sopresata, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes all crowd into one sandwich with a nickname you’ll recognize. I appreciate a deli that gives its heroes real personalities.

The shelves hold imported pastas, truffle products, and cannoli filled to order. I can’t imagine leaving without something sweet tucked in the bag. So which sandwich would you grab first?

A Family Story That Started In 1975 And Never Hit Pause

Andrea Salumeria began with two people and a shared dream. Andrea and Elisa Scivetti opened the deli in 1975, bringing the flavors of Puglia, Italy, with them.

That southern Italian region sits in the heel of the boot. Its food leans simple, fresh, and proud of good ingredients, which explains a lot about this counter.

The story didn’t stop with the founders. In 2004, Andrea’s nephew, Pete Soriano, took over the business and kept it in the family.

He continues the legacy today alongside his own family. That kind of handoff matters, because recipes and habits travel best from person to person.

Think about how rare that is now. Plenty of shops change hands, rebrand, or vanish after a few years.

This one has stayed family-owned and operated for more than five decades in New Jersey. That staying power says more than any flashy sign could.

So when you order here, you’re tasting a long chain of choices. Each one kept the old ways in place instead of chasing trends.

I appreciate that kind of loyalty to a craft. It makes a simple lunch feel like part of a bigger, ongoing story.

The Mozzarella Gets Made Before Your Sandwich Does

Fresh mozzarella is the star of the show here. The deli crafts it on-site daily, so it never sits around waiting for a buyer.

That effort earned serious attention. New Jersey Monthly recognized it as the best mozzarella in New Jersey, which is no small claim in this cheese-loving state.

You’ll find it all over the menu. It shows up beside mortadella, prosciutto, hot or sweet cappicola, and roasted peppers.

Want smaller bites instead? Bocconcini are also available, and those little balls make an easy snack or salad add-on.

The Mozzarella Salad puts the cheese front and center too. It’s a smart pick when you want something lighter but still satisfying.

Here’s my tip for planning ahead. Grab extra mozzarella to take home, because a fresh batch makes weeknight dinners feel fancier.

Slice it with tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil. Or tuck it into pasta right before serving.

Honestly, I’d probably order a sandwich and a separate tub of cheese. Having a backup supply seems like the responsible choice, right?

Daily cheese-making might sound old-fashioned. That’s exactly the point, and it shows.

Sandwiches With Names Bold Enough To Match Their Fillings

Nicknames tell you plenty about a deli’s sense of humor. At Andrea Salumeria, the specialty heroes come with personalities you’ll remember long after lunch.

The Soprano stacks sopresata, prosciutto, mozzarella, and sundried tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil. It’s a crowd favorite with a name any New Jersey fan will appreciate.

The Combo goes full heavyweight. Ham, salami, sopresata, cappicola, mozzarella, sharp provolone, and sweet peppers all pile on together.

Like a little heat? What’s Up brings ham cappicola, hot sopresata, hot cappicola, mozzarella, sharp provolone, and hot peppers.

Then there’s Pete’s Special Tuna, a namesake for the man behind the counter. The tuna gets mixed with mayo, peppers, oregano, olive oil, vinegar, and more, then topped with fresh tomatoes.

Classic pairings round out the list. Mortadella with sharp provolone or fresh mozzarella feels simple and smart.

The Italian Flag shows up seasonally with mozzarella, roasted peppers, and pesto. Red, white, and green, just like the name promises.

Every sandwich can get lettuce, tomato, onion, and the signature oil and vinegar. I can’t imagine skipping that last part.

Wax Paper Wrapping Keeps The Old-School Spirit Alive

Plastic clamshells have no place on this counter. The food here gets packaged in wax paper, sticking with traditional Italian deli practice.

That might seem like a tiny detail. Yet small habits like this shape how a place feels from the moment you pick up your order.

Wax paper is classic for a reason. It wraps snugly around a hero and keeps things neat for the trip home or back to work.

It also signals that nobody here is trying to look trendy. The deli simply keeps doing what has worked for decades.

Unwrapping a sandwich this way feels a bit like opening a present. There’s a crinkle, a reveal, and then that stack of cured meats and cheese.

Planning a picnic? A wax paper bundle travels easily in a tote bag and opens up flat like a little placemat.

Andrea Salumeria leans into tradition across the board. The wrapping just happens to be the part you hold in your hands.

I love when the packaging matches the food inside. Here, both say the same thing: old ways still win.

Shelves Packed Like A Tiny Trip To Italy

Compact doesn’t mean bare. The space is small and cozy, with an old-school Italian vibe and shelves filled with authentic Italian products.

Those shelves deserve a slow look. You’ll spot imported Italian pastas, truffle products, and other specialty goods you won’t find at every supermarket.

House-made items add another layer. Fresh ricotta, guanciale, and Italian Parma butter are among the specialty products available here.

Then there’s a clever in-house touch. Dry sundried tomatoes imported from Italy get soaked in white vinegar right at the deli.

That’s the kind of step most shops would skip. Here, it’s part of the routine, and it ends up in sandwiches like The Soprano.

My advice? Bring a shopping list, then ignore half of it once you see the shelves.

Guanciale can turn a home pasta night into something special. Fresh ricotta makes a quick dessert or a filling for stuffed shells.

The cold case matters too. Meats get sliced to order, including Prosciutto di Parma, speck, mortadella, and sopresata.

Cheeses like imported sharp provolone, gorgonzola, and caciocavallo from Italy round things out nicely.

Soup Season Turns This Counter Into A Warm Hug

Cold weather brings a bonus menu. Homemade soups appear from September through May, and the lineup rotates daily.

The options sound like something from a family kitchen. Pasta fagioli, chicken noodle, minestrone, and lentil and pasta all make appearances.

Rotation keeps things interesting. You might come in for one soup and discover another waiting instead.

That’s not a bad problem to have. Every one of those choices feels built for a chilly New Jersey afternoon.

Pairing ideas come easily here. A soup and a half-sandwich mindset makes lunch feel complete without going overboard.

Salads offer another route. The Chef Salad, Tuna Chef, Tossed Salad, and Mozzarella Salad all sit on the menu.

Here’s a practical tip for fall and winter visits. Grab an extra soup to take home for dinner, since cooking after work is nobody’s favorite hobby.

Summer visitors miss out on the soup, sadly. Still, that gives everyone a reason to come back once the leaves change.

Honestly, a deli that plans its menu around the seasons earns my respect. It feels thoughtful and very homey.

Save Room, Because The Cannoli Get Filled Fresh

Dessert isn’t an afterthought at Andrea Salumeria. The cannoli come freshly filled, in both small and large sizes.

Freshly filled matters with cannoli. It keeps the shell from going soft before you even get a bite.

Not a cannoli person? First of all, bold choice. Second, there are assorted Italian cookies too.

The Mini Sfogliatelle Artuso might steal the spotlight. They come with chocolate, hazelnut, or pistachio cream.

Sfogliatelle are those flaky, layered Italian pastries shaped a bit like seashells. Adding a creamy filling makes them even harder to resist.

Here’s a smart strategy for groups. Grab a mix of small cannoli and cookies so everyone gets a taste.

Small cannoli also work great if you just want one sweet bite after a big hero. Nobody needs to know you bought three.

A box of cookies makes a solid host gift too. It beats showing up empty-handed to a family dinner.

I’d probably end every visit with pistachio cream. Some decisions just make themselves.

Big Party Coming Up? Let The Deli Handle Lunch

Hosting gets easier when someone else makes the food. Andrea Salumeria offers catering, which helps when you’re feeding a crowd.

Office lunches, birthdays, and family gatherings all fit the bill. A spread of Italian heroes tends to please almost everyone at the table.

Delivery is another handy option. It runs Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a minimum order required.

That window lines up nicely with a work lunch. Just plan ahead so your order meets the minimum.

Takeout remains the simplest route for most visits. Pop in, grab your sandwich, and head out to enjoy it wherever you like.

A quick planning tip goes a long way. Call your catering order in early, especially around holidays when schedules fill up.

Think about variety when you order. Mix spicy picks like What’s Up with milder classics like prosciutto and mozzarella.

Toss in some cannoli and cookies for dessert. Suddenly you’re the hero of the party, no cooking required.

I love that a small shop can stretch to feed a big group. It shows real kitchen confidence.

Plan Your Visit Around These Heights Hours

Finding the deli is the easy part. Andrea Salumeria sits at 247 Central Ave A, Jersey City, NJ 07307, in the Jersey City Heights neighborhood.

Timing takes a little more thought. The shop opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and closes at 6 p.m.

Saturdays run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays are closed, so don’t plan a lazy weekend sandwich run that day.

Early hours make breakfast-ish shopping possible. Grabbing fresh mozzarella in the morning sets you up nicely for dinner.

Hospitality adds to the experience. Owner Pete Soriano is known for chatting with customers and offering suggestions.

Not sure what to order? Ask, and let the people behind the counter point you toward a favorite.

Recognition backs up the hype too. In 2016, NJ.com’s Pete Genovese named it New Jersey’s Best Sub and Hoagie Shop.

That’s a serious honor in a state that takes its heroes personally. Nearly a decade later, the counter still keeps the traditions going.

Visiting from out of town? Build a stop into your trip. Your future lunch will thank you.