Abondanza Italian Deli — Restaurant in Venice

Being an Italian myself, it's disheartening to admit that this establishment falls short of embodying the true essence of an authentic "Italian" deli.

Firstly, their meat selection is quite limited. I've come across a greater variety of Italian meats at my local grocery store.

While it's often believed that Italians can be perceived as rude, it's merely a cultural trait. However, the people at this place are genuinely impolite. There's no greeting, no smile—just a sour attitude.

I visited on a Saturday during lunchtime and found myself to be the sole customer. That should have been my initial warning sign.

Moreover, their prices are unreasonably high. Despite this, I decided to give them a fair chance. I ordered a 1/4lb of capocola, but the person behind the counter mistakenly gave me a 1/2lb. It wasn't a big deal, but it was indicative of their lack of attention to detail. The package was labeled $6.88, and when it was handed over to someone whom I assume was the owner to ring me up, the price suddenly increased to $7. Instead of causing a scene, I accepted it as a learning experience—one I intend to share with others.

I have no intention of returning. This place was better off as a run-down gas station rather than masquerading as an Italian deli.

The owners had the potential for greatness, but their establishment is a poor excuse. It's important to note that simply displaying Italian flags and a few pictures of monuments on the walls doesn't make you authentically Italian—it just comes across as tacky.

I wanted to give this place a chance, but it failed miserably. Instead, I headed to Angelo's down the street and had an amazing experience. Now, that place is the real deal. I spent over $160 on various meats, Italian products, pizzas, and desserts. That could have been Abordanzo's success story, but their attitude forced me to look elsewhere.

I'm glad I did because Angelo's surpasses Abordanzo in terms of staff, selection, and quality by leaps and bounds. Save yourself the time, money, and frustration—steer clear of Abordanzo and treat yourself to a REAL Italian deli, Angelo's...

One of Venice‘s absolute hidden gems! Abadanza’s Is nestled in a remodeled gas station. So if you’re driving too fast, you might just think it’s a gas station with no pumps. But if you pump your brakes, you’ll get a taste one of the best meatballs that you’ve ever had in your life. Now, if you love your mother‘s meatballs, and you don’t wanna get her feelings, hurt, don’t taste the meatball! It will ruin your perception of what you thought of. Great meatball was! I don’t know if it’s the veal, the flavor, how they cook it, or the love that they put into it, but this place has mastered it!

And I’ll tell you something else, tiramisu never did it for me. I’m not the kind of guy that looks at the menu and says “I’ll have the tiramisu” but I’m glad that I gave it a chance at this place. This is the number one tiramisu in Venice And that I’ve personally ever tasted!

Also, I’ve been all around Chicago in the Midwest and had Italian beefs, but they nailed that too! The right amount of meat, flavor, peppers, and all you or whatever they call that Juice On the perfect role too.

Anyway, I’m starting to sound like a paid Promotion guy. I just love this place to death. The food is fantastic, it has a great quaint authentic feel to it, the owner is Franky and Susan are great and Rino is always in the back whipping up something perfect to eat! You don’t just come here for a bite to eat you come here to be amongst friends and smile before you eat. With America’s dining at the dinner table lesson less, the least you can do is go to a place that feels like family before you eat your food so it taste better lol.

Do yourself a favor and pop in and tell em Mine said try the meatballs…and out some Parmesan...

When I’m visiting an area and want to pick places to eat, I always try to check the reviews - positive and negative. In looking at the negative reviews for Abondanza I can only say I’m not sure what I’m reading. My wife and I went there twice during our visit to Venice. Not only were we kindly greeted by both the owner and his wife, but upon my asking what part of Italy he was from, the owner and I had a wonderful conversation and sense of camaraderie regarding our Italian backgrounds.

As to the food, once again I’m confused. On one day we had the Lukie, another day the meatball sub. Unless someone has literally NO teeth - or dentures made of eggshells, I can’t imagine how nice bread, tender (and tasty!) meatballs, and equally tender vegetables (in the Lukie) could in any way be considered tough. Did I say they were tasty? 😋

On top of all this, the bocconcini, tiramisu, and sfogliatella (all made by them) were fantastic! Sure, it’s a small place, and you could argue the selection is limited. But what’s there is good, and there are good Italian packaged products as well. Pricey? I don’t look in anyone else’s pocket so that’s not for me to say.

The bottom line is the folks are nice, the food was good, and my wife and I both had a very positive experience at Abondanza. For a place to remind me of flavors of the Bronx eateries of an earlier time, not to mention even hinting a bit at some of the flavors of Italy, to...