The porchetta here is roasted right on the premises, and it shows up in sandwiches people still think about months later. That alone would earn a detour.
But the building it lives in used to be a bank.
The vault, so to speak, now holds imported Italian pantry goods, deli meats, cheeses, and freezer meals. One shopper drives 53 miles each way just to stock up.
I like that kind of devotion.
This Maryland market doubles as a sandwich counter, with soups, salads, lasagna, and desserts lined up behind the glass. Families can grab lunch, sit outside, and leave with dinner in a bag.
I can’t imagine anyone leaving with only one thing. The real question is which craving wins first, and whether the tiramisu gets a vote.
An Annapolis Deli That Swapped Bank Tellers For Salami
Giolitti Delicatessen sits on Somerville Road in Annapolis, close to the Annapolis Town Center shopping area. It works as two things at once: an Italian sandwich shop and an imported food market.
Here’s a fun twist the owners have shared themselves. The building used to be a bank, which feels fitting for a place stacked with valuable cheese.
Inside, the space mixes a busy deli counter with shelves of Italian groceries. You can order lunch, browse pasta and cookies, and grab a frozen dinner on the way out.
The setup suits busy Maryland families who want one stop for several meals. A lunch break can easily turn into tomorrow’s dinner plan.
Giolitti Delicatessen is also locally owned and operated, which matters to a lot of Annapolis residents. Plenty of chain spots surround the area, so an independent deli stands out.
The shop holds a 4.7-star average across more than 800 Google reviews. That’s a lot of happy sandwich eaters for one Somerville Road storefront.
It also helps that parking sits right outside the door. Skipping downtown traffic is a small luxury anyone with kids in the back seat can appreciate.
That House-Roasted Porchetta Might Ruin Other Sandwiches For You
Roast pork with crispy edges, stacked on crusty bread, made in-house. The porchetta is easily the most talked-about sandwich at this counter.
The owners confirm it’s made on the premises. The house version pairs that pork with fontina, caramelized onion, and antipasto-style rapini.
That combination sounds simple, and it is. Simple just happens to be the hardest thing to get right.
Fans describe the seasoning as spot-on and the bread as sturdy enough to hold everything together. Nobody wants a sandwich that collapses halfway through lunch.
Some days it may not be available, so a backup plan helps. The muffuletta, with its spicy olive mix, is a solid second choice on the menu.
Porchetta comes up again and again when people describe their favorite order here. Among several sandwiches ordered together, it often wins as the most flavorful and generously filled.
Good luck ordering anything else on your first visit. You may plan to try something new, then hear the word porchetta and quietly change course.
Honestly, that’s a perfectly reasonable decision. Some sandwiches earn their reputation one crusty bite at a time.
Build-Your-Own Subs And Classic Italian Stacks Behind The Counter
Sandwiches here are made to order with freshly sliced meats. That alone separates a real deli from a grab-and-go cooler.
The menu goes well beyond porchetta. Options include the Roman Italian, a Parma, a caprese with thick mozzarella, roast beef on Italian bread, and a chicken Parmesan sub.
Prefer to call the shots? The build-your-own route lets you pick a breaded chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, hot peppers, and other toppings.
Bread choices vary too, and the Italian roll gets plenty of love. Boar’s Head meats appear on the deli sandwiches.
Here’s an honest heads-up. Meat portions on some subs draw mixed reactions, so adding extra meat is an easy fix if you like a hefty stack.
Chicken Parm fans might also ask for a side of marinara. A little extra sauce never hurt anybody’s lunch.
Sandwiches can come with a small fruit cup, which kids tend to appreciate. Grab a bag of Route 11 potato chips to round things out.
Between the named subs and custom builds, picking one is the hard part. Bringing a friend to split two is a smart Maryland lunch strategy.
Imported Cheeses And Fancy Meats Sold By The Weight
Fancy meats line the display case like edible jewelry. Italian and Spanish specialties are available by weight, ready for a charcuterie board or a picnic.
Some shoppers skip sandwiches entirely and come just for sliced meats to go. That tells you how seriously the counter takes quality.
Cheese gets the same treatment, with fresh options sitting beside imported favorites. Building a party platter here feels a lot easier than wandering a supermarket.
Think about a Saturday family gathering in Annapolis. A stop at this counter could cover the meats, cheeses, and bread in one quick trip.
Salads are sold by weight too, which adds easy sides to any spread. Potato salad and a Greek side salad both show up among the choices.
The appeal is variety without the overwhelm. You can point, ask for a taste of what sounds good, and walk out with a custom board.
Prices on specialty items can run higher than standard grocery fare, so plan accordingly. Quality imports usually come with that tradeoff.
Still, a small splurge on great prosciutto feels earned after a long week. Your weekend snack plate deserves the upgrade.
Freezer Dinners That Make Weeknights Feel Like Sunday
Lasagna gets mentioned more than almost anything else on the prepared side. It’s one of many ready-made meals waiting for busy families.
The freezer and prepared case also hold dishes like chicken cacciatore and chicken piccata. Some shoppers buy cacciatore by the half tray to take home.
That’s the secret weapon for Maryland parents. Lunch on Saturday can quietly solve dinner on Tuesday.
One devoted fan drives 53 miles from Solomons Island just for these fresh dinners. That’s a serious commitment to not cooking.
Quarts of red sauce are available too, ready for a pot of pasta at home. Dried pasta from Italy sits on the shelves to finish the job.
A small packing tip goes a long way. Carry heavy paper bags from the bottom, especially when frozen items sit beside sauce containers.
Condensation can soften paper fast, and nobody wants a marinara mess in the garage. Double-check that every item made it into your bag before you leave.
Get it all home safely, and dinner becomes the easiest part of your week. Your future self will be very grateful.
A Soup Lineup Worth Ordering By The Quart
Soup might not be the first thing you expect at an Italian deli. Then you hear people call the minestrone the most delicious they’ve ever eaten.
Tomato soup draws its own fan club, with praise that borders on giddy. Pair either one with fresh bread and lunch is handled.
Buying by the quart is a clever move. One regular stretches a single quart into four bowls across two meals.
That’s practical math for families. A quart of minestrone and a loaf of bread can cover a rainy weekend lunch at home.
Soups and salads together make a lighter option when a giant sub feels like too much. Salads earn compliments for being fresh and well prepared.
Some guests even prefer the salads to the sandwiches. Variety like that keeps everyone at the table happy.
Soup offerings may rotate, so check what’s available when you stop by. The counter staff can point you toward the day’s options.
On a chilly Annapolis afternoon, a warm cup feels like a small reward. Add a slice of focaccia, and you’ve got comfort food done right.
Save Room, Because Tiramisu And Tres Leches Are Waiting
Dessert at this deli has started actual family debates. Tiramisu, cannoli, and tres leches cake have all faced off in the same bag.
In one memorable case, the tres leches won by a landslide. A light pistachio ricotta cake also earns praise for staying nutty without feeling heavy.
The tiramisu brings big flavor, built with a single cake layer topped with cream. Some prefer traditional thin alternating layers, so expectations matter.
Baklava shows up here too, and one family described it with very enthusiastic language. Cookies and other baked goods fill out the sweet side.
Kids usually zero in on dessert first anyway. Letting them choose a treat makes the whole outing feel like a celebration.
A quick word of advice: check your bag before driving off. Desserts are small, and leaving without them would be truly heartbreaking.
Grabbing a couple of extra slices for later is never a bad idea. Cake tastes even better when it waits for you at home.
Honestly, skipping dessert here feels like leaving a movie before the ending. Save a little space, then pick your favorite finale.
Market Shelves That Turn Every Visit Into A Treasure Hunt
Pantry hunting is half the fun here. The market is packed with authentic Italian staples and unique imported groceries.
Dried pasta, cookies, Italian drinks, and specialty dry goods crowd the shelves. Fresh bread and focaccia round out the bakery side.
The store isn’t huge, but it uses every inch well. Shoppers describe each trip as a little treasure hunt.
That small size works in your favor. You can browse quickly, then circle back for the jar you almost forgot.
Kids can join the search too. Spotting fun Italian cookie packages or colorful pasta shapes turns grocery shopping into a game.
Leaving empty-handed seems almost impossible here. Even a quick sandwich run tends to end with a bag of extras.
Longtime Annapolis residents still discover it for the first time. One shopper lived in town for 30 years before finally walking through the door.
That’s the kind of find proud Maryland locals love sharing. Tell a friend, and you’ll probably be their favorite person by dinnertime.
Wood Accents, A Patio, And A Welcome Mat For Kids
Warm wood accents give the interior a cozy, cute feel. It’s compact but still offers enough room for a few seating areas.
Outside, there’s a patio for eating in the fresh air. On a nice Maryland afternoon, that’s the spot to claim.
The vibe lands somewhere between upscale and casual. You can show up in weekend clothes and still feel like you’re treating yourself.
Families fit right in. One family described the place as kid friendly, with even picky eaters finishing their plates.
A kids spaghetti with marinara is on offer, served with soft, crispy bread. Little hands love dunking bread into sauce.
That same family fed several people for a reasonable total, though costs can change. It’s a nice reminder that a special lunch doesn’t need a huge budget.
Friendly staff come up often, with some team members named for great service. Experiences can vary, and a few longtime shoppers have voiced concerns.
The owner responds personally and invites feedback directly. That kind of attention says a lot about a locally run shop.
Easy Parking, Generous Hours, And Planning Your Stop
Parking right out front makes life simple. Skipping the downtown Annapolis parking hunt is a genuine perk for families.
You’ll find Giolitti Delicatessen at 2068 Somerville Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401. It sits near the Annapolis Town Center, so pairing it with errands is easy.
Hours run 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are shorter, from 11 am to 4 pm.
Hours can change for holidays or special events, so check before you go. A quick look saves a disappointing drive.
From Baltimore or the DC suburbs, Annapolis makes a manageable weekend trip. The deli works nicely as a lunch stop during a day around the capital city.
Visiting before the lunch rush is a smart move if you want a relaxed browse. Weekday mornings also give you the best pick of prepared foods.
Bring a cooler bag if you plan to stock up on frozen dinners. Long drives home deserve a little extra planning.
Prices vary by item, and specialty imports cost more. Setting a loose budget helps, especially once the dessert case catches your eye.
Why This Former Bank Still Pays Off For Maryland Families
Few spots let you eat lunch, shop for dinner, and grab dessert in one stop. Giolitti Delicatessen pulls that off with plenty of personality.
The house-roasted porchetta leads the way. Behind it, you get soups, lasagna, imported meats and cheeses, and shelves of Italian goodies.
It’s not perfect for everyone. Some sub orders could use more meat, so asking for extra is a smart idea.
Still, the overall picture is warm and inviting. A 4.7-star average from hundreds of diners suggests most people leave happy.
For Maryland parents, it checks practical boxes. Easy parking, a kid-friendly menu, and patio seating make outings smoother.
For proud locals, it’s a homegrown business worth championing. Independent delis like this give Annapolis its own flavor.
Plan a weekend lunch, then let everyone pick one treat to bring home. That’s a simple formula for a happy car ride.
Choosing just one thing remains the real challenge. Maybe that’s the best reason to come back again, then again after that.
