Delis, Italian markets, gourmet stores, cheese shops and international markets explained: what each sells and when to visit which.
Delis
A deli, short for delicatessen, is built around a service counter: sliced meats and cheeses, salads, and prepared foods, very often with sandwiches made to order. The American deli grew out of German and Jewish delicatessens in 19th- and early 20th-century cities, and today the word covers everything from a corner sandwich counter to a full Jewish or Italian deli with a restaurant attached.
Italian delis and Italian markets
An Italian deli centers on Italian cured meats and cheeses and the sandwiches made from them. An Italian market is a grocery store first: pasta, canned tomatoes, olive oil, flour, baked goods and imported brands, often with a deli counter inside. Many businesses are both, which is why a listing can appear in more than one category.
Specialty and gourmet food stores
A specialty food store focuses on a type of food, a region or a quality level that a general supermarket does not cover well. Gourmet food stores are a subset aimed at premium and artisan products and gifts. Neither usually carries a full grocery range.
Cheese shops
A cheese shop cuts cheese to order from whole wheels and blocks. Expect to be offered tastes, and expect staff who can explain how a cheese was made and what to serve it with.
International markets
International markets carry groceries from many countries, or from one region not covered by a more specific category. They are often the best source for imported spices, staples and brands you cannot find elsewhere, and many include a butcher or deli counter.
Which one should you visit?
- For a sandwich or sliced meats for this week: a deli.
- For Italian pantry staples and imported products: an Italian market.
- For a cheese board or a specific cheese: a cheese shop.
- For a hard-to-find ingredient from a particular cuisine: an international market or a market specific to that cuisine.
- For gifts and premium products: a gourmet food store.