Bites Nearby: At DeLuca's Deli and Grill, Mom Knows Best

Everybody loves Mom’s cooking. But the owners of at 26 S. La Grange Road in La Grange took their love of mom’s home cooked gems and turned it into a business.

The matriarch of the family, Gilda (pronounced Jill-da), brings a huge helping of her Calabria roots to Deluca’s Deli and Grill. With her warm smile and bandana draped head, she delivers her love of southern Italian cooking to the masses.

DeLuca’s menu serves up several sub and grill sandwiches. The Italian Beef is made in-house with their signature giardiniera and au jus. The "Gilda" comes with mortadella, provolone and chopped olive salad. The stand out sandwich is the Eggplant Parmesan… ridiculously saucy and satisfying.

Let’s talk sausage. This was the family’s inspiration to opening a restaurant, a sausage made from scratch with no fillers and absolutely no preservatives, just like they make at home. You’ll find the mild and hot Italian variety, but they also make bratwurst and breakfast sausage, all sold by the pound. Their Turkey Sausage sandwich comes with a cucumber yogurt dressing served on a French roll.

Deli cases display the usual pasta and veggie salads, but one thing you may not see every day is aracini. This is a risotto- and meat-filled ball (Major League size) that they’ve breaded and fried. If you’re a vegetarian, it also comes with spinach and cheese instead.

DeLuca’s has a short but sweet list of desserts. Their cannoli is always fresh and made to order.

Clearly in touch with the needs of their customers, DeLuca’s Deli and Grill carries gluten-free bread for the sandwiches. Several dishes, like the lasagna and tiramisu, are also gulten-free.

Kids’ meals are free every Thursday with the purchase of an adult meal. Let Momma Gilda help you out with your next party… check out their catering menu and deli trays.