Capone Foods — Local services in Somerville

Being an Italian-American and Michigander, I've been surprised at how hard it is to find Italian markets here in Cambridge/Boston. Came to this store to buy ricotta for a pasta dish I was making (your non-italian supermarkets will put this sandy substance on the shelf I'm shocked is called ricotta). However, I was equally shocked to see how expensive the ricotta here was. In Michigan, I pay $3.50 per pound for ricotta that you can get literally pulled out of the pot, cut and placed for you. Here, I paid $4 for maybe 1/3 of a pound (no measurements provided) of ricotta that was already prepackaged. Luckily, the ricotta was good, but I'm going to make my own ricotta from now on -- it's super easy and you just need a $4 cheese cloth. Missing my reasonable Italian markets...

We've walked by this place a few times already but they have been closed. Finally stopped in today and witnessed an impressive array of Italian food (with some from other countries like Argentina). We got to sample the sun-dried tomatoes (best I've ever had), and the person at the country talked with us and shared a grid / menu of the pasta and sauce combinations they offer.

Really great products and very friendly store. We are already planning on stopping by again to grab some stuff for the beach this weekend, as well as some future dinners we have in mind utilizing their pasta.

Give this shop a go next time you are around; I'd even venture to say it's work going out...

Capone Foods is a fun stop for fresh pasta (made in the back of the store), and a wide selection of Italian specialty products. I personally enjoy the empanadas (even if I'm a bit confused why they sell these traditional South American treats), and the giant "Pasta Guide" behind the counter is helpful in matching pasta type to sauce (and amount needed for a particular serving). The prices are reasonable (not much of a 'deal', but fair), and the fresh mozzarella made daily is delicious. Feeling like a baller? They have a few bottles of $1200 (yes, Twelve HUNDRED dollar) balsamic vinegar. If you go for it, let me know...