STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Beyond the Shell V-Powered Nitro pumps and the neon glow of a typical Staten Island gas station, something unexpected is happening at 1414 Victory Blvd. Patrons might catch the scent of sautéed garlic or hot bread wafting across Victory Boulevard — a sensory clue that this Shell station is far from ordinary.
Gerardo and dad Italo Perito are the owners of the Fresh To Go concept, their second Italian specialty store on the North Shore. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
For those who step for the first time through the unassuming deli door of Fresh To Go, the surprise is immediate. Audible “ooohs” and “wows” come from customers who realize they’ve stumbled into something special.
Rice balls and prosciutto balls are fried throughout the day. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
On a recent afternoon, one woman came in for a cup of iced coffee and left with a bag of hot, crusty bagels and a personal pizza. Another stopped in for a soda and walked out with a bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant — plus a hefty muffin.
Baked ziti, prosciutto bread and other entrees can be purchased at the Sunnyside gas station. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
The concept is the brainchild of the Perito family, owners of Italo’s A&S Pork Store in West Brighton. Inspired by Italy’s Autogrille — elaborate, affordable roadside eateries that rival sit-down restaurants — Fresh To Go intends to bring that very European vibe to Staten Island.
Fresh To Go makes personal pizzas. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Italo Perito says the gas station owner, a longtime friend and customer, wanted to recreate that experience. To make it happen, Perito pulled from his own playbook, incorporating popular dishes and grocery items from his butcher shop and salumeria, originally founded in Port Richmond and now thriving in West Brighton.
Ben Ritacco is the store manager who produces Italian specialty items including this popular eggplant and fresh mozzarella towers. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)What to Expect
Fresh To Go blends the convenience of a gas station store with the heart of a New York deli. Yes, you’ll find the usual suspects in a service station ‘mart— motor oil, gas cans, Advil, ChapStick, birthday candles, and Listerine — but there’s much more. Here on Staten Island Italian potato chips, imported small-batch olive oil, dry pasta, and Italo’s proprietary tomato sauce line the shelves.
Specials are listed daily. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Beverages are a major draw. Perito and his son Gerardo estimate that about half of all sales come from drinks — from White Claws and cold beer to soft drinks and milk. “With every bagel or sandwich, customers grab a drink,” he says.
Fresh fruit salads are served in a grab-and-go format. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
And those bagels? They come hot from the oven every hour. In just two months, Fresh To Go has become a go-to breakfast stop for families, especially on weekends. With Clove Lake Bagels now closed and a now shuttered S&T Bagels of West Brighton soon to be replaced by a cannabis dispensary, locals have found a new favorite for their morning fix.
The store also stocks traditional deli items alongside groceries particular to the Italian pantry. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)A grab-and-go model that works
True to its name, Fresh To Go is strictly takeout. Gas station regulations prohibit tables or even designated parking spots designated for dining. The shiny new building features wide aisles — but not a single chair. Still, the model has worked beautifully, even with a 7-Eleven and a pizzeria nearby.
The store manager Ben Ritacco makes all items from scratch including several cream cheeses for the hot bagels. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Its location — across from a main entrance to Clove Lakes Park and a Little League ballfield — makes it a convenient stop for cold drinks, a container of milk, or a quick bite. It’s carved out a niche in the neighborhood, offering quality and convenience in equal measure.
From Amalfi to Staten Island
Italo Perito, originally from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, has been in the food business for 25 years. Before launching Fresh To Go, he ran a deli on Forest Avenue. When the opportunity arose to bring an Italian-inspired concept to a gas station, he embraced it.
Every hour Fresh To Go puts out hot bagels roasted in a sleek rotating oven. The apparatus also turns out fresh bread. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Among the deli’s standout offerings is a chilled pasta dish with caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, dressed simply with oil, salt, and pepper. Store manager Ben Ritacco, said among the deli’s popular offerings is a chilled pasta dish featuring caramelized onions. It’s an item with which he cannot keep up.
Quinoa, pasta salad with roasted red peppers (lower left) and traditional potato and macaroni salads are part of the regular display case. The store also makes meatloaf and entree items. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
He said, “The dressing is just oil, salt, pepper. We caramelize the onions, then infuse it with sun-dried tomatoes and basil. People really love it.”
And while Perito appreciates the art of the traditional Italian espresso, it’s something he can’t quite replicate at Fresh To Go. He called the barista talent with the product a “craft” and said making a true macchiato is persnickety and “delicate depending on the hand that makes it…plus the weather.” Italo laughs and admits, “American coffee is so much easier.”
The store can be found across from Clove Lakes Park and the skating rink. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Fresh To Go is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.The Shell station operates from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The business can be found at 1212 Victory Blvd., Sunnyside and reached via facebook.com/FreshtoGoSI.
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Dining and Cooking