Deli-licious: J.P. Graziano

By Molly Durham in Food on Oct 24, 2011 7:00PM

As if the made-to-order fresh food, informal ordering and tiny store didn't say "mom and pop" enough, at J.P. Graziano, when you order your sandwich you're told yo "go pay mom" at a vestibule in the corner of the store.

At this West Loop gem, you're hit hard with the smells of fresh spices and meats when you walk through the door. Sandwiches come on thick, crusty bread that's perfectly soft on the inside and tastes like it's right out of the oven. The meat is sliced to order. The Italian is a sure winner if you're looking for a classic sub. It comes with hot capicola, volpi salami, genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, tomato and lettuce with red wine vinegar & oregano.

Other sandwich options include many with prosciutto di Parma, two different veggie options and their specialty, the Mr. G, similar to the Italian but also includes truffle mustard balsamic vinaigrette. Don't see that very often.

While you watch them make your sandwich, you're free to browse their fresh ingredients for sale. Fresh breads from D'Amato's bakery, fresh mozzarella in buckets, huge wheels of all sorts of cheese and even spices in large barrels on the floor are all available for purchase. A huge wall of packaged goods like olives, tomatoes, pasta and oils makes it feel like a fully stocked kitchen.

You can also order products on their site and have them shipped to you, if you can't make it in.

J.P. Graziano is located at 901 W. Randolph.