Di Palo's Fine Foods — Local services in New York

This place used to be across the street, which is now a pharmacy. I remember when I was a kid entering this place and it smelled so bad. There used to be saw dust all over the floor and I always wondered as a kid why would someone want to enter into a store that smelled so foul and the floor was not clean. As a kid I didn't understand a lot of things...

Now that the store has moved to a bigger location, the saw dust on the floor is no more, but the smell is still there. I don't remember it being as strong as the old store, but the smell of cheese and cured meats still linger around the air. Now that I'm older and more mature, I have a much better appreciation for the smell of good cheese and meats.

Just like the old store, you still have to take a number from the front and wait for your magic number to be called. Depending on the time and day you come, even if it seems empty, it can take quite some time before your number is called. The staff takes their time in assisting you and making sure you get what you need. There is so much cheese and meats to choose from, and I'm glad this place lets you try some before picking one or more out.

I have no idea how to pronounce some of the names they have for cheeses and meats, and I definitely have no idea what they mean. All I wanted to do was make a spicy sandwich with cheese that is smooth and flavorful. The middle aged lady recommended come meat that started with the letter "C" (capicola ?), peppered ham and some provolone cheese. I'm sure I've seen the names of these in the supermarket section, but never really knew what it tasted like or what it means. When she gave me a few tastings, it already knew my sandwich was going to be awesome. It is much different than just buying regular ham and cheese from a market. They slice the meats and cheeses razor thin, and I'm convinced that the thinner they slice it, they more flavorful it is. They wrap the meat and cheeses in a old fashioned plastic sheet with another waxed paper sheet around it. When I get home, I simply just put it in a zip-lock bag to keep it fresh, because I know my fridge smells like crap.

The sandwich I made come out to be awesome with some rosemary olive oil and some mayo...

Wow what a gem this place was.

Not only was the foods great here so was the service. The owner took some time to explain the history behind some of their products, from how the cheeses were made and aged. How each one of their products came to be and the history behind them.

We decided to get a decently sized order to bring some things back to the family (and my boss who is italian)

We got some great focaccia and Italian bread. We also got some amazing parmesan and provolone cheeses (mind you I usually dont like provolone) they were out of this world, I havent had cheese this good since my aunt smuggled some back directly from italy) these were high quality import cheeses here at di palo's. We also got some dry salami and pepperoni, wow absolutely amazing. If you are looking to wow guests with a charcuterie board, this is the place to source your ingredients your guests will be talking about it forever. We also got some amazing fresh Mozzarella that was beautifully smoked.

Our family (and boss) was blown away by the quality of these ingredients, and all claimed it was the best provolone & parmesan they ever had. The dry salami and pepperoni were our of this world. We saved some of the dry salami, pepperoni and smoked mozzarella and used them to make homemade pizza, it blew us away how good it was as we make this often but not with these ingredients. If you are in New York city and you want to bring a taste of italy back to friends and family we highly recommend stopping at this place you will not regret it.

In fact I went way over budget because once they gave us some samples I knew we had to grab as much as we could.

Next time we visit NYC we will be returning to once again willfully go over budget with these fine imported products. And the owner was absolutely amazing he is happy to explain in detail why each product is of high quality, how it's made, and where it comes from.

DONT MISS OUT AND MAKE SURE YOU...

I have grown up learning about, buying and enjoying various delicious imported, domestic meats, peppers, pastas, and stuff that only Italians can pronounce correctly, from Di Palo's. I remember how the floors where covered with hay, and how PACKED, and I mean PACKED, the store was on any given day. Nothing has really changed except maybe, the store is a bit bigger and its across the street...and no hay (I miss the hay). The service however never faltered. From Louie, Sal, and Maria, and their extended family of staff, I have never in over 30 years experienced greater customer service. From buying a simple pound of ham, to I'll take this, that, and everything in between, not once was I ever treated with anything but with respect and patience. With this great service though, expect a wait and we do, because it's worth it! SO worth it. Along with this great service, you will get fed. They let you try everything, even stuff other customers are buying, without you having to ask. The food, I will swear that their cold cuts are superior to all. I eat a lot of boring ham but it always tastes better at Di Palo's. Really, no joke. I have learned so much about Italian food from them. From buffalo mozzarella, guanciale, prosciutto, prosciutto cotto (this is to die for!), cheeses I don't know the names of (point and nod) and imported anchovies. They have a huge selection of imported foods, too many to name. Go and try them all! I am totally blotching this... Di Palo's really isnt a review type place. Its a place where you need to go and experience. So go..taste...experience. You...