Seventy-year-old Glorioso’s in Milwaukee is one of several fine Italian deli/groceries the city has to offer.
If it’s even remotely Italian, Glorioso’s has it on the shelf, in the counter or in the cooler. It’s a wonderland for foodies and cooks alike. Naturally, I stocked up. Sausages. Cheese. A muffaletta sandwich. So let’s talk about that. Purportely invented a zillion years ago by immigrants in New Orleans, the “muff” is traditionally a nine inch round loaf, bedazzled with sesame seeds, with two or three types of Italian cold cuts, cheese, and topped with “olive salad” – which is finely diced vegetables and olives in oil.
The result is a messy wonderland – most people can’t eat a whole one, and happily, Glorioso’s has “halves” in their counter.
I put away more than my share, living in New Orleans, and have written about several of them. Tourists like to go to the store that is supposedly the birthplace. I prefer a dive bar uptown.
Glorioso’s could easily pass in New Orleans. I enjoyed it. If I knew how much I was going to like it, I’d have stocked up. Only “complaint?” A little light on the olive salad. (I bought a jar of their mix to bring home, as well).
Scored a fantastic dry salami, “Licini Cacciatore.” I love when processed meats actually taste like the animal they came from, and this is some great pork. BTW, the name means (Cacciatore) “hunter” and (Lincini) Bent or pointing upwards. It’s a very hard salami, with a robust flavor.
Their beef/pork meatballs have a great flavor, run about a buck apiece, I brought home four to try. They have an awful lot of ingredients compared to the ones I make at home, which are just beef, pork, milk, bread, fennel, parsley, garlic and basil. Glorioso’s balls are a very fine grind, good for the mass appeal market. My own balls have a rougher texture, chewier. My preference only.
Salads, olives, meats, cheese, entrees, they are all in the counter. You can order a sandwich or a plate, pasta, panini or pizza. (They have take and bakes also). Their full menu is below.
Staff is personable and knowledgeable about the products.
Really worth a stop if you are passing through. Really worth being on your regular shopping route if you live there. I will be back. Often. (I had planned on writing more, but doing this made me hungry, have to go see what I have left from my trip!)
Gloriosos Italian Market Review
Gloriosos Italian Market Review