Sam’s Italian Deli and Market was opened in 1980 by Sam and Angela Marzilliano and their son Nick. It’s a popular place as you read online but reality proved it, in that we arrived at 10:10, they open at 10:00 and there was already a line to order food. They offer freshly made deli sandwiches and a huge selection of Italian meats, cheeses, pastas, salads, dry goods and a large selection of wines. There’s a lot of parking on 2 sides of the corner building with a small covered patio and tables next to the entry if you want to eat on site. As you enter the building get your number and then study the huge menu hanging above the deli counter so you can order when your number is called. You can then pay or shop and pay when you name is called and your food is ready. You can also pre-order online and pick it up that way. The sandwiches were cut in two and first rate in quality. I’d go back often if I lived nearby. Check it out on your way to visit Yosemite or if you’re in the Fresno area.
Set-up
Food
Sam’s Special Sandwich contained ham, mortadella, turkey breast, dry salami and Jack cheese. We ordered this with the works which means adding mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato, wax peppers, Kosher dill pickles, onions, and house dressing. This one was available in 2 sizes and we got the small which was plenty for one. The sandwich was well stuffed and equally distributed in the ingredients. The bread was a soft one topped with seeds and slightly sweet. It was great with the fillings as it held up to the sauces and wasn’t too thick to overpower. This was a tasty sandwich.
The Paisano Piccante contained spicy Calabrese salami, spicy red Capicollo, Molinari hot salami, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and jalapenos. I added wax peppers on the advice of the counter person not the works. It came on the same great bread that the Sam’s Special did but this one’s meats had way more flavor and a nice helping of spiciness. It was delicious and hands down the favorite of the two, by both my husband and I. If you can take a little spice be sure and order this one.
Great looking roll and sandwich. That’s a classic looking Italian deli. We have a ton of similar looking, although usually a bit more cramped such places in this region.
Thanks! This was indeed a classic deli but huge. Bread very good and we really liked the spicy sandwich a lot more but both good. We have an Italian deli in Dallas that’s good, Jimmy’s. I’ll have to write it up some time!
Sam’s looks great! It reminds me of Tenuta’s in Kenosha, WI.
The Paisano Piccante sounds just about perfect for me, and the ratios of bread and the various fillings look set on
It was! I was pleasantly surprised by the spiciness of it too! You would love it!