A Taste of Italy is a small neighborhood Italian grocery and deli with a few tables for dining inside or out.  Todd Ferin opened it in June 1996 to provide quality Italian products to customers and sandwiches featuring premium meats and cheeses.  Clive is a small town just north of West Des Moines, so about 15 minutes from the city center.  One of their most popular sandwiches is the Chicago beef sandwich, which is what we split.  The counter is at the back of the place and your order there and they will call your name if it’s to go or bring it to you at your table if you want to eat in.  It was an incredible sandwich and one I’d heartily recommend to you if you are in the Des Moines area.  The people are friendly and the flavor will totally satisfy you.  It was so good when we tried another place the next day we tossed those sandwiches and came back here for another.  Don’t miss this place.

Set-up

Food

The Chicago style Italian roast beef sandwich can be garnished with several toppings but we asked the counter person how she liked to eat it and it was with cheese and a mix of peppers – spicy and mild.  While that was good, on the repeat visit we just had spicy peppers.  It comes with a container of well-spiced dipping liquid on the side.  It’s warm with the bread just lightly toasted to give it a crunch but keep the inside doughy and easily biteable.  The first day we split one sandwich but the return visit had us each getting our own.   Honestly it was so good you really wanted a lot of it.  The jus had a depth of flavor you could drink the remains.  Don’t miss this one when you visit the area.