Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Finding Paradise in Phx...Niccoli's Deli

Niccoli's Italian Grocery-Deli 6102 N. 16th St. #9 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 279-5335 Fax: (602) 279-0330 Email: jfniccoli@aol.com I stumbled upon Niccoli's Deli by accident one day. We had just moved to Phoenix and went to the Shasta design center near 16th St. and Bethany Home to look at some pool designs. After browsing for a bit we realized we were hungry. Not knowing the area my husband and I were clueless about where to go for something good. Our pool salesman suggested an Italian place in the parking lot across the street and we decided to try it. Tucked way in the back of a small parking lot just north of Bethany Home on 16th St. we found Niccoli's Deli. And what a find it was. Since that day we have become regular customers and have gotten to know the owners, Joe and Peppy, well. They sell all kinds of Italian food and grocery items. We use thier homemade pizza dough, fresh mozzarella balls and dried oregano, still on the branch, to make our own pizza. Around the holidays we'll buy fresh ricotta cheese and Italian canned tomatoes to make lasagna. Phoenix is actually full of little gems such as this one. It may take a little bit of searching but they can be found. We just happened to luck out finding Niccoli's so easily. http://www.niccolisdeli.com/

6 comments:

  1. I was again mesmerized by the Food Hunter's procurement of Niccoli's delicious home/handmade pizza dough, as this past weekend I dined with the angels and supped on the heavenly creation of his/her [Keeping the Hunter Anonymous] famous homemade pizza. Niccoli's dough is fantastic and it's a treasure that the people of Phoenix should take advantage of. It will be a nice break from The Olive Garden, trust me, just be brave and don't be afraid to turn on your ovens.

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  2. Niccoli's sounds somewhat similar to Calabria Italian Grocery & Deli, a gem downtown at 3rd Ave. & Roosevelt. It's nice to also have an Italian grocery & deli in North Central.

    One question: Is the pizza dough pre-formed into a disc (my preference), or is it a ball of unshaped dough (like the pizza dough at Trader Joe's)?

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  3. The dough is a ball of unshaped dough but it tastes way better than Trader Joe's. We've tried several doughs and this one seems to be the best.

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  4. Thanks. I actually like the taste of the TJ's dough, especially the whole wheat version. Nevertheless, I've never been very good at shaping dough into a disc-shaped crust, so I usually buy the par-baked crusts at Simply Bread, a bakery on 24th St. b/w McDowell and Thomas. Regardless, I'll definitely give Niccoli's a try for sometime soon.

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  5. Try the Italian or the meatball sandwich both are delicious. The breads are all homemade too. Now I'm hungry :-)

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  6. At Niccoli's you can get the extra virgin olive oil produced by Poggio Cappiano

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