The Neighborhood Ohio Italian Deli That Always Has A Line Of Locals
An Italian deli with its own piazza and fountain, where wedding parties stop for photos. That alone got my attention.
Then I learned there’s a sandwich called the Reuben brick.
The shelves hold imported groceries, cut-to-order meats, and bread baked fresh every day. A hot food counter serves cavatelli, meatballs, and chicken parmesan.
Somewhere nearby, a bakery case waits with cannoli and cookies. That’s a lot of temptation under one roof.
This Ohio spot started small, with a family selling Italian gifts out of a garage. A customer smelled homemade bread and asked to buy a loaf.
Everything grew from there.
On Christmas Eve, the seafood line reportedly turns into something like a neighborhood reunion.
A deli people treat as a gathering place? I’d make room for that on my list.
A Loaf Of Bread Changed Everything For This Family
Back in 1974, Jimmy and Irene Occhibove opened a small Italian gift shop in a garage on West Federal Street in Youngstown. They had come from Caserta, Italy, in the early 1970s.
The shop sold imported glassware, Capodimonte porcelain, Italian magazines, and music. Food wasn’t even part of the plan at first.
Then a customer caught the smell of homemade bread. That person wanted to buy a loaf, and a whole new business idea quietly appeared.
Bread led to more food, and the shop kept growing. In 1983, it moved to Colonial Plaza on Belmont Avenue in Liberty and added a full bakery.
Cookies, pastries, and deli items joined the lineup there. The family was clearly onto something good.
Today, Jimmy’s Italian Specialties is still a family operation. Son Frank Occhibove has played a major role in managing the store and continuing the business his parents started.
Other members of the family have also contributed to its growth over the years. That shared history has helped turn a small gift shop into a neighborhood institution.
The family has continued drawing on traditional recipes while expanding the bakery, deli, and specialty food selections. That connection to its roots matters to customers who have been visiting for decades.
Knowing the backstory makes every loaf feel a little more personal. It all started with one curious nose.
Order The Sandwich With The Funniest Name First
Some sandwiches have names that sound like construction materials. The Reuben brick is one of them, and it sits proudly on the menu at Jimmy’s.
Bricks come in other versions too, including a portobello brick. If the name makes you curious, that’s probably the point.
The sandwich board goes well beyond bricks. You’ll find meatball subs, Italian subs, the Italian Deluxe, and the Jimmy V Classico.
There’s also a Muffalatta for anyone who likes a stacked, hearty option. Picking just one could take longer than eating it.
Every deli sandwich draws from the same cut-to-order meats and cheeses sold in the case. So the ingredients are the same ones locals buy by the pound.
Pizza is available too, by the slice or as a whole pie. That’s handy if someone in your group refuses to commit to a sandwich.
My advice? Bring a friend and split two different sandwiches.
You get double the variety without needing a nap afterward.
Lunch crowds tend to know their orders by heart. Study the menu ahead of time so you can join them with confidence.
Dinner Is Basically Solved Once You Spot The Hot Counter
Cavatelli, meatballs, and chicken parmesan sit ready at the hot food counter. Somebody already did the cooking, and you get the credit.
The prepared meals lean deeply Italian. Baked breaded eggplant and sausage with peppers and onions join the lineup regularly.
Greens get serious attention here. You can find greens and beans, greens with sausage pieces, or greens with homemade hot peppers.
Each version brings its own personality to the plate. The hot pepper option sounds like a fine choice for anyone craving a kick.
Cold meals to go are available as well. They make it easy to stock up for tomorrow while handling tonight.
Feeding a crowd? Jimmy’s Italian Specialties offers family-sized meals like lasagna and baked cavatelli.
That’s a smart move for busy weeknights or Sunday gatherings. The store is closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan your pickup earlier in the week.
Soups round things out nicely. Wedding Soup and Pasta e Fagioli both appear on the menu, ready for chilly Ohio afternoons.
Grab a container, grab some bread, and you’re done. Cooking can wait for another day.
Save Room Because The Bakery Case Is Watching You
Fresh bread baked in-house is the foundation of the whole bakery. The selection includes traditional Italian loaves and other baked goods that keep customers coming back.
Remember, bread is how this business got its start. So it makes sense that the ovens still matter so much.
Sweets get plenty of attention too. The bakery turns out cakes, cookies, and pastries, with cannoli among the favorites.
Sicilian cannoli and old-fashioned ricotta cheesecake both show up behind the glass. Choosing between them feels like a test with no wrong answers.
Pepperoni rolls are a popular bakery item here. They make an easy snack for the drive home, assuming they survive that long.
Holidays bring special treats into the mix. Seasonal baked goods appear around times like Easter, so timing your visit can pay off.
Need a cake for a party? The bakery handles orders, which helps when a birthday sneaks up on you.
A smart plan is to visit the bakery last. Otherwise you might fill up on cookies before lunch even arrives, and nobody wants to explain that choice.
Wander The Aisles Like You’re Shopping In Italy
Shopping lists tend to fall apart in the grocery section. Imported Italian groceries and specialty pantry items fill the shelves in tempting rows.
Homemade pastas include cavatelli and spaghetti. Grated cheeses and fresh deli items make it easy to build a full dinner at home.
The deli case offers a wide selection of meats and cheeses cut to order. Tell the counter what you need, and they’ll slice it fresh.
That’s perfect for building your own sandwiches or a weekend snack board. Fresh slicing just beats prepackaged every time.
Gift baskets are another clever find. They typically hold ingredients for an Italian meal, which makes them a thoughtful present for almost anyone.
Here’s a fun extra. The store carries books on Youngstown history and the local Italian community.
That fits nicely with a family story that began in a gift shop. You can feed your stomach and your curiosity in the same trip.
Give yourself time to browse without rushing. Leaving with only the items you planned on would be a rare and impressive feat.
A Fountain Out Back Steals Plenty Of Wedding Photos
Wedding parties actually stop by for photos at this deli. The reason is a piazza with a fountain right on the property.
That’s not something most delis can claim. Usually the fanciest feature is a nice pickle jar.
The piazza was added during expansions at the current location. The family moved to 3230 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, OH 44505 in 2007.
Since then, the store has grown several times. Dining space and the courtyard came along as part of that growth.
The outdoor space adds a touch of Italy to a regular lunch break. Eating a meatball sub beside a fountain feels a bit like a vacation.
Bring your camera, even if you aren’t getting married. The brightly painted Italianate exterior makes a cheerful backdrop too.
On a nice Ohio day, this courtyard is the spot to linger. Grab your food inside, then carry it out and enjoy the scenery.
Just remember the hours run mostly daytime. The store closes in the late afternoon, so plan a lunch visit rather than a sunset picnic.
Grab A Table Inside And Make An Afternoon Of It
Plenty of first-timers expect a restaurant and discover a cafeteria-style food counter instead. Honestly, that format just means faster access to the good stuff.
A seating area lets you eat right after ordering. No need to sneak bites in the car.
Salads get their own spotlight. Custom-made salads are on offer, and a staffed salad counter lets customers choose their preferred ingredients.
That’s useful when someone in the group wants something lighter. Everyone else can still go full meatball.
A party room is also part of the space. It gives groups a place to gather without crowding the main dining area.
The family aims to make guests feel at home. That goal reflects their proud Italian heritage and decades in the community.
Eating first and shopping second is a solid strategy. Shopping hungry at an Italian market could get expensive quickly.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with Saturdays ending earlier in the afternoon. Arrive with a little time to spare, and you can enjoy lunch, browse the aisles, and still catch the bakery before closing.
Your Next Party Could Use A Tray From Here
Catering might be the easiest way to look like a great host. Jimmy’s Italian Specialties offers party trays, deli platters, prepared pasta pans, and salads for larger orders.
That covers plenty of occasions, from office meetings to big family gatherings. Pick the combination that fits your crowd.
Deli trays pull from the same meats and cheeses sold at the counter. Add baked goods, and you’ve got a full spread without lifting a pan.
Weddings are part of the catering picture too. The bakery has handled cakes and desserts for special celebrations.
Ordering ahead is the smart move for large events. It gives the team time to prepare everything properly.
Online ordering and curbside pickup make smaller orders simple. You can skip the browsing temptation, though that takes serious willpower.
The private parking lot helps when you’re loading trays into the car. Juggling platters across a busy street is nobody’s idea of fun.
Families across this Ohio community lean on the store for milestones. When a party needs food that feels like home, this kitchen knows the assignment well.
Christmas Eve Turns The Line Into A Reunion
Lines are part of the story at this store. Around holidays, they grow even longer, especially on Christmas Eve.
That’s when many families pick up seafood for their traditional celebrations. Local reporting describes the scene as a reunion for many locals.
Neighbors run into old friends while waiting. Suddenly the line feels less like a chore and more like a party.
It makes sense in a region with deep Italian roots. Holiday traditions here often start at a familiar counter.
Seasonal goods show up around other holidays too. Easter brings its own special breads and treats to the shelves.
If you’re planning a holiday visit, go early and be patient. Bring a good attitude and maybe a friend to chat with.
A line this loyal says a lot about a business. Families have trusted the Occhibove family since 1974, through three locations and plenty of growth.
This corner of Liberty Township keeps people coming back year after year. Once you’ve tasted the bread, the line might start looking pretty reasonable.
You may even save someone a spot next December.