Gioia's Deli
James Beard Awarded Sandwiches Since 1918
Head to St. Louis and ask anyone where to grab lunch on âThe Hill,â the cityâs famous Little Italy, and youâll most likely be pointed toward Gioiaâs Deli. Opened in 1918 by Marcallo, Italy, native Charlie Gioia (and famously built from wood and brick from the 1904 Worldâs Fair), Gioiaâs has stood the test of time thanks to its craveworthy sandwiches, thin-crust St. Louis-style pizzas, and, most famously, their iconic homemade sausage known as Hot Salami, or Salam di Testa.
Made fresh in-house every day, sliced to order, and served hot, Gioiaâs Hot Salami is made from beef, pork, and a secret blend of spices that hasnât changed in over 100 years. When piled onto cheesy garlic bread thereâs absolutely nothing else like it, and itâs a true St. Louis icon, named the stateâs best sandwich by Food & Wine and part of the reason why Gioiaâs was named a James Beard American Classic in 2017. That legendary Hot Salami, as well as pizzas and sandwiches loaded with Italian meats, are now being delivered nationwide!