Monica’s Mercato & Salumeria
After college, I moved back to Boston and lived in The North End (i.e., Boston’s Little Italy). Down the street from my apartment was the most amazing Italian Deli – everyone knows it as “Monica’s.” I finally gave it a try, and now I'm hooked. I end up there at least two times a week.
What does it mean to be the “Best”?
For nearly a year, I walked by the storefront of Monica’s and saw a sign in the window for “The Best Italian Sub.” Insert eye roll. So many people like to toot their horns as having the “best.” Best burger, Best pancakes, Best pizza. Truthfully, I found the sign off-putting. As a result, it took me almost a year to go in and try out this spot. I stand corrected. I was wrong. Monica’s does have “The Best!” And it’s not just the Italian sub. Everything at Monica’s is AMAZING. Pro tip – order a large. If you have a side of chips, this should easily last two meals.
A few of my faves
Now you know the best deli, but you must know the best of the best things to order! In no particular order, here are my faves:
Italian Sub: Prosciutto, mortadella, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, balsamic, hots, pickles. Served on soft ciabatta bread. Now there’s nothing revolutionary about making an Italian sub, yet somehow Monica’s goes above and beyond. All of the Italian cold cuts are premium quality and sliced wafer-thin for a melt in your mouth experience. The balsamic is mouthwatering too – it cuts through the fattiness of the meats.
Chicken Cutlet: Chicken cutlet, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, hots, balsamic. Served on soft ciabatta bread. It’s safe to say that Monica’s version of this sandwich is highly addictive. It’s the perfect combination of soft, crunchy, fatty, spicy, and acidic. The warmth from the chicken is a nice contrast to the cold lettuce and tomato, too.
Grilled Vegetables: Mixed vegetables (usually carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts, zucchini), tossed in oil, and grilled to a slight char. I’ll order these to bring home and toss in pasta or top with steak tips and eat them like a salad.
Steak Tips: Teriyaki steak tips, grilled to a medium-rare, with a slight outer char. Eat them there or take them home and get creative with them! See above.
More than just a sandwich
Sometimes you just need to grab some meat and cheese to take home for later. A stop at Monica’s will not disappoint. You can order all of your Italian deli meats as well as specialty cheeses to use in your custom creations. My favorite is the Cacio di Bosco, which is a pecorino Toscano with black truffles (it’s impressive to make risotto with). They also offer fresh-made pasta and ravioli that you can take home and cook.
Regardless of what you have in your pantry, make Monica’s a regular stop on your shopping route. You’ll get inspiration for many dinners to come.
