The Corti Special comes with a twist: you pick the bread and toppings, but the deli crew picks your meat. That’s trust, served on a roll.
The ravioli here carries its own bragging rights. It’s called the city’s oldest continuously produced food product, still made from the original recipe.
I like how this California grocery refuses to rush its charm. Over 140 cheeses can line the cases, and the salami gets sliced thin enough to glow under the light.
Journeyman meat cutters still run the butcher counter.
I believe places like this are getting rare. Family names on the sign, Italian roots in the aisles, and sandwiches big enough to split.
So what keeps a neighborhood market this beloved for generations? The answer starts with two brothers and a very good idea.
An Italian Market That Sacramento Never Let Go Of
Some stores sell groceries, and some stores sell a whole way of life. Corti Brothers falls firmly into the second camp, and it has for generations.
The shop sits in East Sacramento, California, working as a gourmet grocery, butcher, and full-service deli under one roof. It’s the kind of place where a sandwich run turns into an hour of browsing.
Shelves hold imported pasta, olives, oils, balsamic vinegars, tinned fish, spices, and salts from around the world. The cheese case alone can carry more than 140 varieties at a time.
That’s a lot of decisions before lunch.
Then there’s the deli counter, the real heartbeat of the room. Sandwiches get built to order, cold cuts get sliced by hand, and house-made ravioli waits in the freezer.
Everything feels connected to the Italian roots that started it all.
Corti Brothers is open seven days a week, which makes it easy to fit into a weekend plan. It works for a quick lunch or a slow pantry treasure hunt.
Either way, you’re stepping into a slice of Sacramento food history that still hums along today.
Two Immigrant Brothers And A 1947 Gamble That Paid Off
Back in 1947, Frank and Gino Corti opened their doors with a bold plan. They wanted to bring real European foods to Northern California.
That idea made them one of the region’s earliest importers of European specialty products. At the time, finding true Italian ingredients in Sacramento wasn’t exactly easy.
The brothers changed that.
Today the store belongs to Frank’s son, Darrell Corti. He’s recognized around the world as an expert in food and wine, which is no small title.
His knowledge shapes nearly everything on the shelves.
Italy noticed too. The Italian government knighted Darrell as a Cavaliere for promoting Italian products.
One of his big contributions was helping introduce Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale to America.
Think about that the next time you drizzle balsamic on a salad. A Sacramento grocer helped make that possible for a lot of American kitchens.
For descendants of Italian immigrant families, this story feels close to home. It’s a family business that kept its name, its roots, and its standards through decades of change.
In a state that reinvents itself constantly, that kind of staying power feels like a small act of preservation.
The Order Slip System Every Sandwich Lover Should Learn
First-timers, take note. Sandwich ordering here runs on paper, and skipping a step can cost you time.
Head to the end of the deli counter and grab a sandwich order sheet. Fill it out, time-stamp it, and drop it in the basket.
Don’t take a number for sandwiches.
Those pull-tab numbers are for something else entirely. They handle cut-to-order meats, cheeses, and ready-made items from the deli case.
Mixing the two up is a classic rookie move.
Once your slip is in, you’re free to wander. That’s honestly the best part of the system.
While a team builds your sandwich, you can roam the aisles hunting for treats.
Lines can get long, especially around lunch. Several staff members often work the sandwich station together, which helps keep things moving.
Early mornings tend to be calmer for anyone who hates waiting.
Online ordering is another option if you’d rather skip the slip altogether. Plan ahead and your lunch can be ready when you pull in.
Either way, the paper method has a charming, old-school rhythm that feels perfectly on brand for Corti Brothers.
Let The Deli Crew Choose Your Meat For Once
Control freaks, brace yourselves. The Corti Special asks you to hand over the most important decision to the folks behind the counter.
You choose your bread, toppings, and condiments. The deli staff picks the meats.
It’s a little like a chef’s choice menu, except it comes wrapped in paper.
For anyone who likes building from scratch, the menu covers plenty of classics. Options include salame, mortadella, prosciutto, Parma prosciutto, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, turkey, ham, and an Italian cut.
Liverwurst, tuna salad, chicken salad, and egg salad round things out.
Then come the named creations. The Tuscany pairs Italian-style fennel salame with sun-dried tomato-garlic pesto, Gruyère, fresh spinach, and red onion.
That’s a lot of flavor packed between two slices.
The sandwiches are known for being substantial. Many people split one between two, and honestly, that’s a smart plan.
Your afternoon will thank you.
Bread choices like Dutch crunch and sourdough give the whole thing a true Northern California accent. Pick your favorite, write it on the slip, and let the crew do their thing.
Darrell’s Roadside Sandwiches Go Wonderfully Off Script
Mortadella with pistachios on herb slab bread? Now we’re talking.
That’s The Darrell, part of a lineup called Darrell’s Roadside Sandwiches. It layers thin-sliced mortadella with pistachios, heirloom tomatoes, and peppery arugula.
Everything lands on Acme herb slab bread with olive oil.
The roadside menu doesn’t stay in Italy, either. A Porchetta Bánh Mì brings Italian roast pork into a Vietnamese-style sandwich.
It’s a fun nod to how food travels and blends.
A Spicy Chicken Sandwich and the Tacchina also appear on the list. Then there’s the Jambon Beurre, the famously simple French pairing of ham and butter.
Simple can be wonderful when the ingredients are excellent.
I like how these sandwiches feel personal. They carry the name of the man who has spent decades tasting and sourcing foods from around the world.
Each one reads like a little travel souvenir.
If the classic deli list feels too familiar, start here. You’ll get a peek at the curiosity that drives Corti Brothers.
And you might discover a new favorite that wasn’t on your radar this morning.
Sacramento’s Oldest Food Product Lives In The Freezer
Here’s a fun bit of trivia for your next dinner party. Corti Brothers ravioli is considered Sacramento’s oldest continuously produced food product.
It’s still made true to its original recipe. That means generations of families have likely served the very same ravioli at Sunday dinners and holiday tables.
You’ll find it frozen in several varieties. Choices include Beef, Cheese, Chicken Pancetta, Mushroom, and Spinach Ricotta.
There’s also a Holiday version made with turkey and beef.
That Holiday flavor feels especially fitting as the year winds toward fall and winter gatherings. A box in the freezer is basically insurance against a chaotic weeknight.
Boil, sauce, done.
For anyone who grew up in an Italian American household, this might stir up memories. Square ravioli has a special place in a lot of family stories.
These carry that nostalgic shape with serious pedigree behind them.
Grab some sauce, a wedge of Parmigiano, and maybe a loaf of bread while you’re shopping. Pasta night practically plans itself here.
It’s one of the easiest ways to take a piece of Sacramento history home in a cooler.
Over 140 Cheeses And A Butcher Counter Run By Pros
Cheese lovers may need a minute here. The store often carries more than 140 different cheeses, which makes choosing just one a real challenge.
Charcuterie fills the cases nearby, ready to be sliced to order. Grab a number, and the deli team will cut what you need.
It’s the perfect start to a picnic board.
Around the corner sits a full-service meat department. Experienced journeyman meat cutters work the counter, a skilled trade you don’t see everywhere anymore.
That’s old-fashioned butchering in a very modern city.
Need a specific cut for Sunday supper? This is where you ask.
Expertise behind the counter can make planning a special meal far less stressful.
The pantry aisles reward anyone who slows down. Olives, oils, balsamic vinegars, tinned fish, spices, and salts come from around the world.
Each shelf feels like a tiny trip abroad.
Darrell Corti’s famous newsletter, started in 1967, still spotlights rare finds from his travels. It’s a great clue to what’s new on the shelves.
Collectors of fine ingredients will want to keep an eye on it and stock up accordingly.
Corner Grocery Charm Without The Corner Grocery Size
Old-fashioned corner grocery charm doesn’t usually come with a deli this big. Somehow Corti Brothers pulls off both.
The mood leans nostalgic in the best way. Staff members are known for being friendly and helpful, the kind of people who greet you and point you toward the good stuff.
That warmth matters.
So who will love it most? Food lovers, obviously.
But also families with Italian roots, home cooks hunting rare ingredients, and anyone who misses the neighborhood markets of childhood.
Picnic planners should take special note. Sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, and pantry snacks all live in one spot.
That’s an entire outing packed in a single stop.
Kids can tag along easily too. The aisles are fun to explore, and a giant sandwich shared at the outdoor seating makes a memorable lunch.
The store feels like the kind of place true Sacramento folks mention with pride. It isn’t flashy or trendy.
It’s just consistently good, the way a beloved family business should be. In fast-changing California, that steady character is exactly what makes it worth the drive.
Hours, Parking, And A Smart Time To Show Up
Good news for flexible schedules. Corti Brothers opens every day of the week, so a spontaneous sandwich craving is rarely a problem.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sunday, the doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
You’ll find the store at 5810 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95819. It sits in East Sacramento, close to the leafy Fab Forties neighborhood.
Folsom Boulevard makes it easy to reach from much of the city.
Customer parking is available on site, which is a relief in a busy area. Restrooms and air conditioning are there too.
On a hot Sacramento summer afternoon, that cool air feels like a gift.
Timing helps a lot with the sandwich line. Mornings near opening tend to move faster than the lunch crush.
Grabbing a sandwich early and saving it for later is a clever trick.
Planning a party instead? Catering offers sandwich trays, meat and cheese trays, fruit trays, and grilled vegetable platters.
Kitchen options include ravioli, lasagna, rigatoni, chicken parmesan, and spaghetti and meatballs, plus garlic bread.
Why This Family Deli Deserves Your Next Day Trip
Seventy-plus years is a long run for any business. For a family-owned Italian market in California, it feels like something worth celebrating.
Corti Brothers has kept its focus on quality since 1947. The ravioli recipe hasn’t wandered.
The meat counter still relies on trained hands, and the cheese case keeps growing.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a drive to Sacramento. Pair a sandwich with a walk nearby, or pack up a full picnic for later.
Either way, the trip pays off deliciously.
Bring a cooler if you’re coming from out of town. Frozen ravioli, sliced charcuterie, and a wedge or two of cheese travel well.
Future you will be very grateful.
It’s also a lovely spot to share with family members who remember the old neighborhood grocers. Places like this connect generations through food.
That’s a rare and lovely thing.
So fill out that order slip, pick your bread, and maybe trust the crew with the Corti Special. Wander the aisles while you wait.
By the time your name is called, you’ll understand why Sacramento has held onto this place for so long.
