Ragonese Italian Imports — Restaurant in City of Albany

Walking into Ragonese Italian Imports instantly reminded me of old-school delis I used to visit with my grandparents — the kind of place where the aroma of fresh bread, garlic, and cured meats hits you the second you walk through the door. The vibe is warm, a little chaotic (in the best way), and full of regulars who clearly know exactly what they’re there for. The staff treated me like a neighbor rather than a first-timer, which made the experience feel even more inviting. There’s something about being greeted with a genuine smile and a “what can I get you today?” that you just don’t get everywhere. I ordered their Italian mix sub — a classic — and honestly, it might be the best sandwich I’ve had in Albany. I added hot peppers and a drizzle of oil and vinegar, and it all came together beautifully. I also picked up a container of their house-made meatballs to take home, and they were so tender and flavorful, I ended up going back later that week for more. Ragonese feels like more than just a deli; it’s a staple of the community, a little piece of Italian-American tradition that still does things the right way. this place delivers and you wont...

This place is off the charts - fantastic. Their selection of Italian and Greek food is fantastic. Add on made-to-order hot and cold sandwiches/subs or homemade prepared dinners and salads, or that fact that they're a full service deli and you'd think they're in heaven. BUT, you need to consider their prices are crazily reasonable (ex: my favorite grated [to order] cheese is $6 less per pound that other Italian stores and $7 less than grocery stores). Top all of that off with the most knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive staff with an Italian grandmother running the register and you'll understand why I think it's heaven. I found this store when I moved to Pine Hills tucked neatly onto a corner on New Scotland Ave and almost fainted when I stepped in a experienced the smell of my childhood Italian store. Ragonese has perfectly maintained its' identity as a traditional "Italian store" while adding specialty items like outsourced bread, desserts, and other items - without needing us to dip into our retirement accounts to pay the bill. Still family run and incredibly...

There's a lot of REALLY good Italian delis and sandwich spots in the capital region. Make no mistake, Ragonese is in the top tier of the category. Every deli and sub place around here is a little bit different in it's own way, so I can't really say I have a favorite. What I CAN say is that 1) Ragonese's bread is just so fresh and amazing. 2) The bread to cheese, meat, and topping ratio is probably the best I've ever seen. The fillings STAY in the bread and don't shift around to make an off center sub...I hate it when that happens. 3) They use the perfect amount of oil, it's very prevalent in the sub but you're not getting one of those subs where the whole darn wrapper turns transparent and your hands get all greased up. I HIGHLY recommend anything with prosciutto on it, the after taste is...