Buon appetito

There’s a new Italian deli in the heart of Goshen’s business district. Opening in March 2023, Little Italy Foods at 87 Main Street, is offering all freshly made authentic Italian food favorites.

On hand is a hot and cold buffet, fresh daily made salads, a variety of sandwiches and wraps, and, in colder weather, soups, like Italian Wedding soup.

The hot food bar, offering foods such as Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Parmigiana stuffed peppers or sausage and peppers, changes daily.

“My father, who owned Best of Little Italy in Monroe for 51-years, retired last year after suffering a massive heart attack,” said Aurelia Scalia, owner of Little Italy Foods. “While spending three-months in the ICU at Columbia Hospital, we realized he needed something to do— a distraction — when he came home.”

Explaining that her dad, Peter Scalia, always wanted what he called an “Italian buffet;” Aurelia knew then she wanted to fulfil his dream. So armed with loans, she began researching locations.

On the suggestion of Lt. Joshua DeEntremont, her son’s father who works with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Aurelia looked into Goshen. She likes small towns and with the front porch that DeEntremont mentioned at a particular site, Aurelia knew this store - once Steve’s Deli - was perfect for her dad’s Italian buffet.

“My father is very social, he likes sitting on a front porch,” she said. “He especially enjoyed watching all the activity during Great American Weekend.”

However, Peter is an active part of the store, taking orders and talking with customers.

Aurelia is happy with the location and thankful for the help of former owner, Steve Spindler, for being instrumental in helping to get the store open by painting the inside, making outdoor signs and even giving advice about Goshen.

“He still comes to the store. He’s a legend in Goshen, and it means a lot that he’s helping us. He’s a great guy,” said Aurelia, adding, “People in Goshen have been wonderful to us, so welcoming. They’re really embracing us. This is our home. We’re happy to be here.”

With Little Italy Foods in the village, feeding a family couldn’t be easier. All authentic sauces in Little Italy Foods, which includes marinara, pesto, penne vodka and, on request, bolognese, are homemade. Frozen trays of food, like sausage and peppers, chicken parmigiana, Chicken Francese, eggplant rollatini, are on hand.

Said Aurelia: “Stop in, pick-up the meal of your choice, put it in your freezer or oven — it’s already cooked; it just needs to be heated through.”

Homemade ravioli, manicotti, tortellini and gnocchi are available, ready for cooking. Combine one of these choices with the homemade sauce and dinner is ready in short time.

“Family Dinner” specials make serving a tasty, hearty dinner even more convenient. New to the menu, “Family Dinner” is an already cooked main dish special of the day, a freshly made salad, and bread that feeds four people. The price varies according to the chosen main dish.

‘Family Dinner is freshly cooked, not a frozen entrée,” Aurelia explained. “The special of the day can be found on our Facebook page: littleitalyfoodsgoshen. Everyday a different entrée is posted. Order by 3 p.m. for that night’s dinner.”

Gluten free pasta and risotto are available; however, Aurelia suggests ordering gluten free choices beforehand, to ensure that the preparation area is completely free of gluten.

Having a large gathering at your home for family or friends? Need some help providing food? Call Little Italy Foods at 845-360-5502, stop in, or go online to check their catering menu—there are lots of appetizing food items to choose from to offer guests a satisfying and filling meal. A full catering menu is online at www.littleitalyfoods.co

Local delivery is available via Doordash.

“Our goal here is to offer everything fresh daily,” Aurelia said. “Our hot food bar opens when the food is ready — always fresh cooked daily. Our bread delivery for sandwiches comes each day, too. All our food is fresh made — you and your family and friends will enjoy the quality and care that goes into creating the dishes on our menu.”

The Scalias were delighted to find pavers in the store’s basement, and they plan to use them to construct a patio out front to increase outdoor seating. “We’re bringing back some of the history of this community,” said Aurelia.