5 delis that bring a taste of Italy to North Jersey

Rebecca King | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: North Jersey's best chicken sandwiches Owner Cosmo DePinto breaks down the chicken cutlet sandwich, with fresh prosciutto, at Cosmo's Italian Salumeria in Hackensack.

The National Italian American Foundation lists New Jersey as the state with the second highest population of Italians, right after New York. So, it’s no surprise that the Garden State has some pretty unbeatable Italian delicatessens.

Here are five Italian delis you should know about.

Tommy's Taste of Italy, Woodland Park

Tommy’s Taste of Italy is a true Italian deli, with crowded rows of chilled cheeses and salads stocked in glass displays and huge hams hanging from the ceiling. We recommend diving into one of Tommy’s overstuffed heros. The American hero is made with ham, roast beef, salami, turkey and Swiss ($18.95 per foot). This massive sandwich comes with a side of potato and macaroni salad, coleslaw and pickles, so you might need a friend (or two) to take it on.

Go: 654 McBride Ave., Woodland Park; 973-341-9073, tommystasteofitaly.co.

Michael's Salumeria, Lyndhurst

The folks at Michael’s Salumeria have been known to whip up mini calzones, piles of fried shrimp and big orbs of house-made mozzarella. Stop in to see what’s hot that day in either the Lyndhurst location or at its satellite location, Suprema Café and Market in downtown Rutherford. Menu options include a variety of insalate, pasta dishes and customizable subs.

Go: 536 Valley Brook Ave., Lyndhurst; 201-939-9654, michaelssalumeria.com.

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Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace, Ramsey

A rainbow of fruits and vegetables line the shelves at Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace. More than a deli, this shop has enough space to offer a variety of raw produce, platters of salads and party-ready meat trays, a large selection of imported Italian pastas, sauces and boxed goods, tempting desserts and more. Select locations (like the one in Ramsey, the only in New Jersey) include a pizzeria, where you can get Roman-style pizza, calzones and stromboli. You can find other Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplaces in New York in Melville, Smithtown, Port Washington, Port Jefferson Station, Massapequa and East Meadow.

Go: 10 Triangle Plaza, Ramsey; 201-995-6800, uncleg.com.

Belgiovine Delicatessen, Montclair

This family-owned deli focuses on supplying its customers with Italian fare as authentic as it can be on this side of the Atlantic. Belgiovine Delicatessen makes its mozzarella daily on site, imports its prosciutto from Parma and offers slow-aged, seasoned Citterio sopressata. A great way to try these specialties is by ordering the Belgiovine’s Special hoagie, made with prosciutto, sopressata, Genoa salami and fresh mozzarella ($7.95).

Go: 714 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-744-2221, belgiovines.com.

AS Pork Store, Woodland Park

For any and all meats that come from a pig, head to AS Pork Store. The shop is stacked with a selection of imported Italian goods, cheesy stuffed breads, meats ready to be sliced up into cold cuts and more. Specialty subs include the Alfonso Special, with ham, salami, fresh mozzarella and sundried tomatoes or red peppers ($9.50); and the Raging Bull, with ham, salami, soppressata, provolone and roasted red peppers ($9.50).

Go: 281 Browertown Road, Woodland Park; 973-256-0115, asporkstore.com.

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