Defalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery – Scottsdale, AZ

The problem with eating Italian food is that you’re hungry 5 or 6 days later…. Today I dropped by Defalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery in Scottsdale. I really wasn’t in the mood for Italian but rather I was continuing my expedition of finding the best cheesesteak in the Phoenix metro area. I pulled up to the strip mall where Defalco’s resides and didn’t waste much time standing outside to take pictures since it was a sweltering 104 degrees today in the Phoenix. When you walk in this place it looks more like a small Italian grocery store than a restaurant; they have tables spread out all over the store, intertwined between the pastas and the wines. I like it though, just a simple layout without the hassles of a big restaurant.

The ordering counter was all the way in the back of the store, right next to the deli counter (which also looked very good). Then it was my turn to step up to the counter and I was faced with a moral dilemma: which sandwich was I to order today? The menu is quite robust; they have cheesesteaks, chicken parm sandwiches, hot sausage, cold cuts, Italian beef… I could go on and on. Life is full of crucial decisions, this was one of them. At this point I’m between the cheesesteak (my original reason for coming here) and the chicken parm sandwich. I ask the gentleman behind the counter, which one he would recommend. He replied, “all of our hot sandwiches are fantastic, but I would go for the cheesesteak.” Done. Cheesesteak coming up. Actually I lucked out because my dining companion landed up ordering the chicken parm sandwich and I new that she would let me try it in the interest of my scientific expedition of finding the best food. So, one cheesesteak and one chicken parm sandwich coming up. By the way, the prices here are pretty reasonable; about $5.00 for a half sandwich and $7.50 for a whole one. No, it’s not Subway prices, if you want to eat that crap, then go next door and eat Subway. They also have a more than respectable beer selection including a good some nice imports.

Now, the waiting game. We found a table in the front of the store and I walked around to check out the merchandise. They sell a lot of pasta, cheeses, and wines at Defalco’s, although nothing truly special that you couldn’t find at a regular supermarket or local fine foods store. But I think the selection of all the dry pastas and cheeses added a nice Italian ambiance to the setting of dining here.

We waited about 10 or 15 minutes for the food to arrive, which was a little longer than I expected, but in my research of this place I read that nothing happens quickly here. When our sandwiches came out I felt like a kid on Christmas morning; they looked fantastic! Very simple presentation, just wax paper in plastic baskets with a few pepperchinis in the side. There was no waiting, I dove right into my sandwich like an Ethiopian in front of a 4 course meal. The cheesesteak was amazing! It’s not Philly style, there is no cheese wiz in this bun, but rather a creamy white American mixed in with top sirloin, fried, onions, and mushrooms… The Italian roll was also superb; very crusty on the outside, but ever so slightly doughy on the inside. This was a dream come true! I would have to say this is one of the best cheesesteaks I have ever had anywhere. I have never experienced a cheesesteak where they were able to successfully mix the cheese so perfectly with the mushrooms and onions to give it that perfect balance of the meaty cheesesteak flavor, yet creamy at the same time.

As I said before, my dining companion ordered the chicken parm sandwich, which of course I had to try in the interest of blogging for the best food. Also fantastic! They used the same crusty Italian roll, lightly breaded chicken breast, and a generous amount of sauce and mozzarella cheese. Their sauce is pretty good too, a good slightly sweet marinara sauce. Even Tony Soprano would enjoy this. Chicken parm was very good, but I was still hung up on this cheesesteak. They also serve New York style pizza and a variety of simple Italian pasta dishes. Defalco’s hasn’t seen the last of me, I will return here to try something else. It’s definitely a hidden gym in the dregs of Scottsdale. Of course, if you want something cheap and fast, you can always go to Subway and have warm cold cuts on nasty bread, but my money is on Defalco’s.

Defalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery
2334 N Scottsdale Road, Suite 133A
Scottsdale, AZ 85257