Graziano Brothers has been in business since 1912 and are known for their Italian sausage.  It was founded by Francesco and Luigi Graziano who immigrated to America in 1903, then worked for the Great Western Railway and finally settled in Des Moines to start a grocery business.  Now the small grocery is in an area known as Little Italy.  It looks like a large business from the building but it’s a relatively small indoor space that’s packed with shelves of Italian products.  In the back of the store is the deli counter where lots of people were standing with no sign of where to order.  It’s the midwest, though, and people are friendly so conversations start.  In a short while one of the staff behind the counter nods to who’s next and takes their order as well as a few folks behind and then leaves to go make the orders. With a number of people waiting for sandwiches it was hard not to get in the way of the shoppers with baskets but all was congenial.   There are no tables inside or out so all orders are to go or eaten in your car, but there is a lot of parking.  The latter is what we did, which isn’t the best for photos or neatness but the sausage sandwich was worth the trouble.  Give it a try when you’re in the area. Continue reading →