Some of the best meals in North Carolina hide inside buildings you would drive right past without a second look. I walked into one expecting a quick sandwich and walked out with a bag of fresh mozzarella, homemade sauce, and a serious plan to come back.
The air smelled like cured meat and warm bread, and for a few minutes it felt like I had left the state entirely. If you love food with a story and a little old-world charm, keep reading.
A Little Corner of Italy on New Garden Road
Tucked along New Garden Road in Greensboro, Giacomo’s Italian Market looks modest from the parking lot. Step inside, though, and the whole mood shifts.
Hanging meats, cheese cases, and shelves of imported goods greet you right away.
Officially, it is an Italian grocery store, but most folks know it as a deli first. Locals and road-trippers come for subs, sides, and specialty items that are hard to find anywhere nearby.
One longtime Greensboro resident admitted they had no idea it existed and felt a little upset about all the missed lunches.
The address is 2109 New Garden Rd, in the northwest part of the city. It sits close to a movie theater and a local park, which makes it easy to fold into a relaxed afternoon out.
Think of it as a market, a sandwich counter, and a pantry stop rolled into one cheerful room.
The Family Story Behind the Counter
Family-run shops have a certain glow, and visitors pick up on it quickly here. Regulars describe Giacomo’s as a small family operation that makes much of its food in-house.
That personal touch shows up in the greetings as much as the groceries.
Many guests grew up near the famous delis of New York, Connecticut, and Long Island. One former Long Islander says he searched for years after moving to North Carolina before finding a place that matched the subs of his childhood.
He has now visited dozens of times over a decade.
The owners clearly enjoy that connection. In replies to guests, they talk about sharing flavors similar to back home and welcoming people in anytime.
When a customer once mentioned there was nowhere to sit, the shop added an outdoor table for fair-weather eating. Small gestures like that build loyalty that lasts for years.
Subs With Names Worth Remembering
Menus that name sandwiches like old friends usually mean business. At Giacomo’s, you will find the Frankie, the Dino, the Phillipo, the Giuseppe, and the Italian Stallion.
Each one has its own fan club.
The #4 Bruscino gets special praise. It stacks hot sopressata, hot capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and cherry peppers, then finishes with a house oil and vinegar that one visitor wished came in bigger pours.
The Italian bread has a light crunch outside and a soft middle.
Guests also say the shop is not shy with the meats. Prices run a bit high, according to some, but the generous fillings help balance things out.
Chicken parm fans are mostly happy too, though one diner found theirs soggy on a busy Friday night. Most agree the cold subs and the stuffed meatball shine brightest.
Ordering a favorite becomes a ritual fast.
Fresh Mozzarella, Cannoli, and House-Made Treasures
Fresh mozzarella every day might be the sweetest promise a deli can make. Giacomo’s makes its own, and the staff proudly confirm it.
Visitors pair it with tomatoes and house bread for a simple, delightful snack.
On Fridays only, look for the marinated small mozzarella balls. Regulars rave about them and plan their week around the timing.
The house-made sausage also earns steady love, as does a rosemary ham that one family now considers a kitchen staple.
Then there is dessert. The cannoli are made in-house, and several guests call them the perfect finish to lunch.
Others mention stromboli, baked rolls, and big stuffed meatballs worth trying at least once.
Many travelers say the meats, pasta, and bread are made right there. That freshness shows up in every bite, from the first slice of cheese to the last crumb of pastry.
A Pantry Built for Sunday Dinner
Leaving with only a sandwich is surprisingly hard here. The shelves are packed with imported cheeses, olive oils, canned goods, pastas, and sauce ingredients.
Plenty of shoppers come in for lunch and leave carrying dinner too.
Homemade sauces get repeat praise, including a frozen spaghetti sauce that guests take home by the container. Fresh pasta, cheese ravioli, sundried tomatoes, and premade dishes like baked ziti and veal cutlets round out the cases.
One couple bought meatballs, sauce, and ravioli, then added their own touch for a cozy night in.
Gift-givers love the place as well. A California visitor picked up pasta and sauce to share with someone back home.
Another family took sausage and sauce on the road to Virginia.
For parties, the shop handles bigger orders. A guest once ordered an antipasto platter and two dozen rolls, and everything was ready on time.
Aromas, Atmosphere, and Who Will Love It
Close your eyes at the door and your nose does the touring. Visitors talk about the scent of hanging meats, cheese, and fresh bread the moment they walk in.
Several say it simply did not feel like North Carolina.
Even a guest disappointed by one sandwich praised the warm, inviting space, calling it a little corner of Italy. Friendly staff and quick greetings add to the welcome.
Families feel at home, too, and one parent mentioned both kids loved the food.
Who suits this spot best? Transplants from the Northeast craving a real deli will feel right at home.
Home cooks hunting for imported ingredients will find plenty to explore.
Curious locals looking for an easy, flavorful outing fit nicely as well. Just know that seating is very limited, with only an outdoor table, so plan to take your feast elsewhere.
Hours, Phone Orders, and a Picnic Plan
Timing matters, because the shop keeps a short week. Giacomo’s is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday through Friday it runs 11 am to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday 12 to 5 pm.
Saturdays get busy, so expect a short wait at the counter. Calling ahead at 336-282-2855 can save time.
One traveler phoned in an order from far away, and everything was ready when they arrived. The owners say to leave a message if you miss them, and they will call back.
Since indoor seating is not available, many guests make a picnic of it. A group from Clemmons grabbed hero sandwiches and headed to a nearby park shelter.
Others drive home, though crusty bread holds up best eaten soon.
In spring or fall, a park lunch turns a deli stop into a lovely afternoon outing.
Worth the Drive From Almost Anywhere
Road trips for food say a lot about a place. People come from Clemmons, Bermuda Run, and even Raleigh, a 90-minute drive, just for these subs.
One fan happily drives 40 miles for lunch.
Is everything flawless? Not always, and a few prices run a little high.
Still, most visitors leave impressed by the fresh ingredients, warm service, and a menu that tastes like the delis they grew up with.
Greensboro locals have an easy treat close to home. Travelers passing through on Interstate routes can grab a sub and a cannoli for the road.
For the best visit, go midweek, try a named sub, and grab a container of homemade sauce for later. Add Friday mozzarella if your timing lines up.
You might not land in Rome, but your taste buds may happily believe they did.
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