Here’s where you can find the best Italian deli-markets in New Jersey

Growing up in Union City we were never at a loss for great food. No matter what you wanted, it was within walking distance. When it came to Italian deli, we had some of the best. I know that because everytime I went into one of the five in my neighborhood, they would remind me.

I remember waiting at the counter at Frank's while he made fresh mozzarella in the back, and then came out and presented me with a fresh warm piece. "How do you like that?" he said. "Mmmm love it," was my reply to which he replied, "Not like that s**t you get down the block" (referring to those other places). Frank, like the others as well, took pride in what they made and sold. In order to survive in our predominantly Italian neighborhood, you had to be great.

One of my best field trips was when I spent an afternoon with Anthony at A and S Salumeria in Millstone. He not only made the mozzarella, but explained what makes it great!

For me, walking into an Italian store is like Christmas morning. I love seeing all the cheeses hanging, the smell of the salami, all the delicacies in the cases and, of course, the fresh mozzarella. Let's also not forget about the smell of the fresh Italian bread; so nice and soft.

Whenever I go to an Italian market or deli in New Jersey, I'm always taken back to my neighborhood. Sometimes, I can actually feel my grandmother who used to go there back in the day with her fold-out wagon next to me.

When it came to good Italian food, she was very discriminating; as I know most people are who visit these great places. With that in mind, I asked my following, who are also very discriminating, "Where is the best Italian deli in New Jersey?"

Tuscany Italian Market in Freehold, Marlboro and Manalapan

Uncle Giuseppes Italian Market in Morris Plains

Fiore’s (Hoboken)

Keith Vena

Giovanni’s Sea Isle- You can still get the cold cuts

Cliff Tone

Taliercio's Ultimate Gourmet in Middletown

Rob Brooklyn

Croce's in Cherry Hill

Scott Soffen

Carmen’s Deli in Barrington

Domenick Stellato

Pastosa’s in Manalapan

Barbara Smith Doyle

Abbruzzi's & Giunta's Italian Market on Route 38 in Mount Laurel

Bagiliani's on Rt 54 in Hammonton NJ

Bill Heller

Joseph's Delicatessen in Spring Lake!! Get your Roast Beef Sammy and enjoy it at the park or the ocean!

Erin Murray Hunt

Lenny's in Silverton

Jersey Shore Angel

Dolce and Clemente's Italian Gourmet Market

Junior Canonico

D'Angelos Italian Market in Freehold!! So good! They also own another location in Princeton and Jackson Tuscany

Va Nessa

Botto’s in Swedesboro.

John Daskas

D'Anglelos market Princeton.

Joseph Giletto

Best Italian Gourmet restaurant is Cordi’s Italian Gourmet rt 88 Brick NJ. Best in the state

Jim Dick

Porfirio's Italian Market and Cafe

Ray Chiste

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Steve Trevelise only. Follow him on Twitter @realstevetrev.

You can now listen to Steve Trevelise — On Demand! Discover more about New Jersey’s personalities and what makes the Garden State interesting. Download the Steve Trevelise show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.