Originally opening in 1982, Felice’s Pork Store and Deli (29263 U.S. Highway 19) has been an adored community hub for generations. Maybe it’s the homemade sausages, fresh mozzarella, loaded sandwiches, fine wines, or creamy gelato. Yes, being a foodie paradise is part of it—but more so, entering Felice’s Pork Store feels like stepping into a family kitchen during the holidays. Felice’s is essentially that, and all who enter are folded into it.
Co-owner Gabriella D’Elia has been working here since she was 11, alongside her brothers Marco and Kenny. They took over when their gregarious and inimitable Italian parents, Felice and Nancy—whom even customers called Mamma and Pappa—passed away. Now, their legacy lives on through their children. That legacy? Generosity: giving new and longtime customers a little extra at checkout—a free cannoli here, an extra sausage there.
“We’re lucky to be successful. But it’s really about community…momma always gave people extra,” says Gabriella. “We’re trying to run it the same way.”
Their generosity extends beyond the store, too. Felice’s Pork Store partners with Diana Kopec of Feeding the Fosters, and each month the staff cooks meals for 30 to 40 foster families, including on Christmas.
Co-owners Gabriella, Marco, and Kenny are pictured above. Homemade sausage and salami are pictured bottom left, and an array of fresh sandwiches is pictured on the bottom right. Photo via Gabriella D’Elia.Feast your eyes at this 5-star deli
Almost everything at Felice’s Pork Store is homemade, except for some wines, oils and desserts imported from Sicily and Brooklyn. The cream for the cannolis is made in-house, while the shells come from Sicily—which Gabriella says makes them genuine. Shelves are stocked with sauces: rich, vinegary, sweet. Sausage bundles weigh down baskets near the deli counter, where there’s always a steady buzz of activity.
The deli offers fresh sandwiches and hot meals, making it a perfect stop for lunch or dinner. Hot meals include meat lasagna, eggplant parmigiana and baked ziti, among many others. As for subs, there’s The Godfather, Romeo and Julieta, Mamma Mia, Mona Lisa and Ricky Ricardo. Check out the full menu here. Many deli items can also be catered for parties up to 500 people—see the special catering menu for details.
For adventurous home chefs, a cookbook titled Cooking With Mamma is available to teach D’Elia’s homestyle recipes. An assortment of homemade sauces and pastas will help you follow Mamma’s method—though honestly, I’ll leave the cooking to the pros if only to have another excuse to visit the store.
Felice’s offers homemade sauces and a cookbook titled “Cooking With Mamma.” Photo via Felice’s website.