Dominick's Delicatessen

Great food doesn’t have to be complicated, and Dominick’s Delicatessen bears testimony to that fact. Dominick’s, a pleasant place on the south end of Fallbrook, has been serving up uncomplicated, but delicious, Italian fare for twenty-two years. Visit this cozy deli and you will be assured of getting fresh food made by Dominick himself, or his manager of seventeen years, Dana. Almost all the recipes are his grandmother’s, except about five that he has added himself. Soft-spoken and personable, Dominick is pleased with his store and what it has to offer. The deli also offers hundreds of imported items with an emphasis on Italian and also carries a large stock of Italian wine. Fresh bakery bread is available every day but Sunday. “I can’t get my baker to bake on Sunday,” he said with a smile.

“Our spaghetti sauce is awesome — it’s my grandmother’s recipe,” said Dominick. “She would put all kinds of things in it — you could find a pork chop along with the meatballs and sausage in her sauce.” Dominick’s meatballs are handmade with ground sirloin and are simply delicious!

Dominick’s family is from Italy and he was able to visit the country for the first time last summer. While in Italy, he noticed that the marinara sauce is “more buttery and soaks into the pasta better,” so he changed his sauce to mimic the Italian sauce.

He adheres to strict standards, keeps to traditional recipes and isn’t swayed by food fads. “People will come in and ask me to heat up the turkey sandwich and I won’t do it. I won’t compromise and put the bread in the microwave,” he said.

Dominick’s favorite sandwich is number two on the cold menu, the Capicola, Mortadella and Provolone sandwich, which is served with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and pepperoncini (mild, sweet chilies) and cradled in a soft, homemade roll. I also recommend a dish called Caprese, which is made with light mozzarella balls, tomatoes, onions, olives, peppers and basil and olive oil. It’s a little spicy but absolutely delicious.

Dominick offers frozen meals such as spaghetti and stuffed shell manicotti. He also freezes marinara and spaghetti sauce as well as a delicious roasted pepper and garlic sauce. Dominick advises customers to place the frozen dinners in the refrigerator the day before they are heated in order to preserve the flavor. “Be sure to take the food out of the plastic before heating it in the microwave,” he warned.

Close to half of the customers are known to Dominick by name. “I am grateful to the town for their support,” he said. “I love talking to the people and giving away samples of new products.”

His father, who is also named Dominick, is a partner in the business. “We discuss ideas early in the morning,” said Dominick Jr., who is pleased that his father, at 80, still takes an interest in the business.

Dominick’s Delicatessen is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The establishment is located at 1672 South Mission Road in Fallbrook. Please call (760) 728-7911 for the catering menu.