Claro's Italian Markets — Restaurant in Tustin

This place had been calling out to me for a couple months at least before I actually ever set foot 👣 in it. As I suspected it was at least a good 20-45min "browsing adventure" for my first jaunt into the gorgeous little Italian food boutique. There was everything from prepared, ready to bake lasagna and eggplant parmigiana🍆 for two to twenty plus, freshly made deli pasta salads for a quick bite on a lunch break from work. But ideally, if you have a family, a big chef's kitchen or just live to cook & eat as much as I do then you'd want to start by collecting some hard to find aged balsamic vinegar's in pretty bottles for display. Jardiniere, artichokes, capers and quality tomatoes to make a great Bolognese or Spaghetti 🍝 to impress your five year old or maybe a nice Putanesca, (of course you'd have to grab some anchovies, 🫒 olives & fresh herbs to add to the dish but no sweat it's all right there at your fingers), to impress the inlaws, significant other or anyone that loves a good old fashioned Italian meal. Oh & grab some Napoleon or Tiramisu @ the bakery on the way out. They have all the traditional Italian cookies you can think of including the perfect biscotti, macaroons dipped in chocolate or the amaretti with slivered almonds and dried fruit yum 😋!!! They are way to generous with the samples of cookies too. Prepackaged so it's more like a lil 🎁 or surprise than just a sample. I say leave it alone until you arrive home or be prepared for crumbs in the car!!! Lol 😂 Take home an interesting Italian white wine or a 🍾 of Chianti Classico and you should be all set. I think 🤔 I'm going to create an Italian 🧺 picnic next time I go in the only question is whom shall I...

I needed to spoil the Hubz this weekend; as golf was booked for the afternoon, I drove myself down to Tustin to visit Carlo’s for a deli sandwich for a mid hole snack. With 6 locations in and around California, they’ve made quite an impression; with years of experience and a string of loyal patrons to back what a staple they are. Arriving on a Saturday, there was already quite the crowd around the Deli Area. Like clock-work, people were coming in and seamlessly grabbing a ticket while moving cautiously to the side as they anxiously waited for their number to be called. The market itself had all your Italian cooking essentials. Loads of pasta and pasta sauces, a glass counter filled with bread and pastries, not to mention the prideful Italian sweaters and t-shirts stacked on the side for novelty?

Now, the sandwiches, I got the Great Grandpa Joe and the Angry Joe, both large running for about $11 each. These were HEAVY subs, they were also packed with fillings. Seeming as they both have similar fillings, one was spicy and one was mild. Both hubz and I could honestly say this was probably our favorite Italian Sub ever. We couldn’t recommend this place enough! The portion and price ratio is such a good deal, and service was friendly and efficient. You’ll be guaranteed a wait time with the amount of people coming in and out of this place as well though!

**Side Note! If you check in on Yelp you’ll get a coupon for a free pop with a sub. (canned...

My mother-in-law ordered Claro's catering for my father-in-law's "Celebration of Life" last weekend and we were all really impressed.

The Italian sandwiches on the sandwich platters were absolutely delicious with lots of flavor. You know, sometimes, you order Italian subs and they just don't have that much flavor? Yeah, I'm talking to you, Subway. The meat they use seemed to be of good quality and the bread was great and crusty. I'm still eating leftovers on Day 5 and they're still fantastic (after heating up in the toaster oven).

Similarly, usually pasta salad is just so-so but this one was packed with goodies (not just pasta) and lots of flavor. Thankfully, no mayonnaise here, just a wonderful vinaigrette and a variety of different veggies and things.

Now for the platters of marinated olives, artichokes, mushrooms, pepperoncini and roasted red peppers. Wow...these were out of sight delicious. The standout, for sure, were the spicy green olives. Holy smokes...thankfully, we have tons of leftovers and I'm still eating these suckers too. Flavor BOMBS. Kalamata olives were great too but the marinade with those spicy ones...wow.

My MIL also got platters of Italian cookies and those were absolutely fantastic as well.

The two delivery men were prompt, courteous and set up the trays nicely on the tables.

We will definitely be ordering from Claro's again and not just for catering. Thank you for making such a difficult day at least...