Fresh mozzarella is made in-house every day the shop is open, and New Jersey Monthly once called it the best in the state. That’s a big claim in a place packed with Italian delis.
I believe it’s also the kind of claim worth chasing.
The shop has been on the same busy avenue since 1975. Its roots trace back to Puglia, the sunny heel of the Italian boot.
Today, the founder’s nephew runs the counter, carrying on what he learned from his uncle.
The space is small, with a narrow red and green storefront. Shelves inside are stacked with imported pastas, jarred treats, and cookies.
I like how it feels more like a family kitchen than a store.
Then there are the sandwiches, which once won a statewide title. So which do you grab first, the cheese or the sub?
A Morning Mozzarella Ritual That Never Takes A Day Off
Some shops buy their mozzarella in plastic tubs. At Andrea Salumeria, the cheese is crafted fresh every morning, right here in the Heights neighborhood of Jersey City.
That daily habit is the heart of the whole place. It’s also why New Jersey Monthly once named this mozzarella the best in New Jersey.
So what makes it special? The texture is soft and mellow, with a gentle creaminess that doesn’t shout for attention.
Here’s a smart tip worth remembering. This kind of fresh mozzarella tastes best at room temperature, so skip the fridge if you plan to eat it soon.
Owner Pete Soriano keeps this tradition going himself. He learned the craft from his uncle, the shop’s founder, and he treats it like a promise to every customer.
Many shoppers here simply call it mutz, the classic North Jersey nickname. Don’t be shy about using that word at the counter, since you’ll fit right in.
Fresh cheese like this doesn’t sit around for days waiting for a buyer. It’s made to be enjoyed soon, ideally with a hunk of good bread and some tomatoes.
Honestly, good luck walking out with just one ball. Most folks end up ordering by the pound and planning dinner around it.
An Uncle, A Nephew, And Nearly Fifty Years Of Family Recipes
Back in 1975, Andrea and Elisa Scivetti opened a small market on Central Avenue. They brought the food traditions of Puglia, Italy, with them and shared them with their neighbors.
For decades, the couple fed friends, families, and anyone who wandered through the door. Their shop slowly became a fixture in the Jersey City Heights.
Then came a new chapter in 2004. Andrea’s nephew, Pete Soriano, took over the business he’d grown up learning from his uncle.
Pete didn’t reinvent the place, and that’s a good thing. He kept the same handmade approach, the same daily cheese, and the same welcoming spirit.
Family still runs the show today. His son Nico has also been part of the counter crew, keeping the next generation close to the slicer.
Think about how rare that is. Plenty of shops come and go within a few years, yet this one has stayed rooted for more than half a century.
That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from people who care about the food and the folks eating it.
When you stop by, you’re tasting recipes passed from one relative to the next. That’s a pretty delicious way to learn some family history.
Look For The Narrow Red And Green Storefront
Blink and you might miss it. The storefront is narrow, painted in red and green, and squeezed into the busy stretch of Central Avenue.
Those colors aren’t random, of course. They nod to the Italian flag and quietly announce what’s waiting inside.
You’ll find the shop at 247 Central Ave A, Jersey City, NJ 07307. It sits in the Heights, a lively neighborhood known for its local businesses and everyday bustle.
Central Avenue is the main shopping street up here. That makes it easy to pair a deli run with other errands along the strip.
The building doesn’t scream for attention, and it doesn’t need to. Its modest look fits right in with the surrounding shops and homes.
Here’s a practical tip for planning. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Sunday is a day off, so don’t build your weekend brunch plans around a surprise visit. Showing up to a locked door with a mozzarella craving is nobody’s idea of fun.
Arrive early in the day if you can. That way you’ll have the best shot at the freshest cheese and the widest choice of bread.
Shelves So Stacked You Might Forget You’re In Jersey
Cozy is the polite word for the inside. Compact is the honest one, but every inch earns its spot.
Shelves are packed with Italian products, from dried pasta to jarred artichokes and sauces. Boxes of cookies and ravioli round out the mix.
The vibe leans old-school in the best way. There are no flashy screens or trendy decor, just a no-frills deli doing its job well.
That simplicity is part of the charm. It feels like a tiny corner of Italy dropped onto a Jersey City sidewalk.
Space is tight, so plan accordingly. Bring patience if a few people are already waiting, and keep your elbows to yourself near the shelves.
Browsing is half the fun here. Grab a box of pasta you’ve never tried, or a jar of something that looks interesting for your pantry.
This is the kind of shop where small treasures hide in plain sight. You might come for a sandwich and leave with dinner ingredients for the whole week.
And honestly, who could blame you? Once you spot that wall of imports, a quick lunch run tends to turn into a mini shopping trip.
The Soprano And The Combo Have Serious Fan Clubs
In 2016, NJ.com food writer Pete Genovese crowned Andrea Salumeria the best sub and hoagie shop in New Jersey. He picked it after a long statewide search, which says plenty.
Every hero starts with fresh Italian bread. You can load it with lettuce, tomato, and onion, then finish it with the house oil and vinegar.
The Combo is a heavyweight favorite. It stacks ham, salami, sopressata, capicola, mozzarella, sharp provolone, and sweet peppers into one glorious bundle.
Then there’s The Soprano, the sandwich with a catchy name and a big following. It brings sopressata, prosciutto, mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil together.
Notice a pattern? That house-made mozzarella sneaks into the best sandwiches, tying the menu back to the morning cheese ritual.
Another name on the board is the What’s Up, for anyone who enjoys a little mystery. Custom builds are welcome too, so feel free to tweak things your way.
Here’s a friendly suggestion. Split two different heroes with a buddy and trade halves for the best of both worlds.
Just don’t expect a dainty lunch. These subs are built for big appetites and maybe a nap afterward.
Hand-Picked Ingredients With A Few Kitchen Secrets
Pete Soriano shops the world so you don’t have to. He hand-picks products from all over, hunting for items most supermarkets never carry.
That search brings in some fun finds. Look for truffle products, Italian Parma butter, guanciale, and imported pastas on the shelves.
Plenty of prep happens right in the shop too. The sundried tomatoes, for example, start out dry and get soaked in white vinegar before landing on sandwiches.
Cheese gets the same careful treatment. Parmigiano and Romano are grated fresh to order instead of scooped from a big bag.
Why does that matter? Freshly grated hard cheese keeps more of its aroma, and that makes a real difference over a bowl of pasta.
Pete calls himself a big believer in doing one thing well. You can see that idea in how much attention each ingredient receives.
Here’s a handy tip for home cooks. Ask for a wedge or some freshly grated cheese to take home, then pair it with one of the imported pastas.
Suddenly your weeknight spaghetti gets a serious upgrade. Your family might even start asking where you learned to cook like that.
Soup Season, Salads, And Cannoli Filled On The Spot
Cold weather brings a bonus. From September through May, the kitchen makes homemade soup daily on a rotating schedule.
Options include Pasta Fagioli, Chicken Noodle, Minestrone, and Lentil and Pasta. Each one is the kind of bowl that warms you right down to your socks.
Salads keep things lighter when you want them. Choices include a Chef Salad, a Tuna Chef, a Tossed salad, and a simple Mozzarella salad with fresh tomatoes.
That mozzarella salad is a clever pick. It lets the daily cheese shine without much else getting in the way.
Got room for dessert? You probably should make some, because the sweets here are hard to skip.
The cannoli get stuffed fresh to order, which keeps the shells crisp instead of soggy. That small step makes a big difference with every crunchy bite.
Mini sfogliatelle are another treat worth grabbing. These light, flaky Italian pastries crackle when you bite into them, so keep napkins handy.
Packaged Italian cookies also line the shelves for later. Toss a box in your bag, and you’ve got an easy snack for the ride home or a sweet gift for a friend.
Party Planning Gets Easier With A Giant Antipasto Tray
Hosting a crowd can feel stressful. Luckily, this little deli handles catering, from casual get-togethers to fancier events.
Antipasto platters are a big part of the lineup. They come loaded with assorted meats, cheeses, mushrooms, and olives, ready for grazing.
Party heroes are another crowd-pleaser. Long sandwiches cut into pieces make it easy for guests to grab a slice and keep mingling.
The team can tailor orders to fit your needs. Share your guest count and event style, and they’ll help shape a spread that works.
Here’s a smart planning tip. Order well ahead of your party date, especially around busy holidays when trays are in demand.
Bringing deli food to a gathering also takes pressure off the host. Nobody has to stand over a hot stove while everyone else enjoys themselves.
Plus, guests love a tray they recognize from a beloved neighborhood shop. It gives your party a little hometown pride.
Think graduations, birthdays, office lunches, or game days. A table filled with Italian meats, cheeses, and fresh mozzarella fits almost any celebration, and it disappears fast once people start snacking.
Expect A Warm Hello Instead Of A Rushed Order
Conversations come first at this counter. Pete Soriano likes chatting with customers one-on-one instead of simply barking out order numbers.
He’s even known for greeting longtime regulars with hugs. That’s not something you get at a chain sandwich shop.
Treating everyone like family is part of his approach. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first stop or your hundredth.
Humor shows up often too. Counter jokes about The Soprano making you fluent in Italian have become part of the shop’s playful personality.
Small touches add up here. Staff might ask how many pounds of fresh mutz you want before you even reach the counter.
This is what makes Andrea Salumeria feel like more than a store. It’s a neighborhood hangout where people know your name and your usual order.
Visiting Jersey City from elsewhere in New Jersey? Don’t worry about feeling like an outsider, because newcomers get the same friendly welcome.
So say hello, ask questions, and maybe request a recommendation. Fresh cheese, great heroes, and a bit of good-natured banter make a pretty perfect afternoon.
You might leave with a new favorite sandwich and a reason to come back next week.
