D & D Foods — Restaurant in Bloom Township

Whenever I am traveling north from my home in Central Illinois, I hope to make a pilgrimage to the blessed confines of D & D Foods. Even just the sight of the building off south Halsted brings joy as it takes one back to an older era when family owned businesses thrived and wove neighborhoods together. Upon entering inside, the wondrous aroma of salami is evident and sweetly welcoming. The whole north wall is covered with family photos from the decades and underscores the importance of this family owned business by the Damiani family.

They offer a fine array of pastas, red sauces, cheeses and best of all, the iconic "Marconi" Italian bread which offers the pleasure of soft insides and a chewy crust that offers one the kind of resistance that is hoped for and delighted in. The deli is a real gem with all sorts of meats and cheeses to enjoy. You've gotta buy this amazing legendary sandwich known as "The Guido" that sees thick piles of Italian sliced meats and cheeses set inside a Marconi loaf.

Upon checking out, you might even be blessed to have Mrs. Damiani stacking your items in a bag with a kindly smile. Heavens, life is good because of places like the D & D Italian grocery store reminding us of what is best about our country and how family stories flavor our reality. Che Dio benedica e protegga la...

D and D Deli is a premier family-owned and operated boutique grocer, featuring noted local and imported Italian food. Take home some fresh dough, learn the tricks with timeless local cookbooks, or raid frozen section to pass the delicious food off as your own. The deli is notoriously amazing with real deal cheeses, unbeatable sausage and cold cuts: it is notorious for the best made to order sandwiches. Serious yum.

The women could not be more helpful - even sensing your silent deliberations with self and offer assistance.

The deli guys are you ng handsome dudes who likely trip over themselves with the young ladies, or for those with whom they grew up with.

Which leads me to feel a bit of discomfort as an occasional shopper. I have been going there for the past 15 years on a semi-regular basis. This, after learning the family attended the same high school as me 45 years ago. Athletes all, probably still. Being one percent Sicilian I could disappear even without a crowd as I did today. I am hesitant to send people not from the old hood because I have a higher level of acceptance than most. Guests from our of town get my personal escort but haven't requested a repeat visit. Yet. They haven't realized what they...

So disappointed! I grew up in this area but moved away several years ago, I loved this old Italian Deli/Store for years as there are so few true Italian Delis left. I just can’t figure out how they can justify $7.00 per pound for Italian Sausage! $5.00 per pound for Ricotta Cheese! I am in the foodservice business and have been for years and certainly understand the crazy prices and increased costs over the past few years, but clearly this family has gone off the rails at the cash register! If you go, ask what the prices are before you order as they have made the conscious decision to remove all of the prices for all their Deli products with the idea you won’t reject it after you order it. This has to be done as they are clearly taking advantage of unsuspecting customers. It’s a bit of a drive, but head to DelSantos in Steger, Rabino’s in Tinley Park, Frangella’s in Oakland or Whittinghams Meats in Alsip. They care enough not to dishonor their customers by overcharging them! B&B’s Foods has lost my Italian family’s...