Visit Frank's Deli & Catering and Place Your Holiday Order

It is proper -- especially during this sometimes frigid time of year where the "warmest" holiday falls -- to find a likewise warm deli for your holiday food needs.

“This is a fantastic, friendly, welcoming deli," says Belleville's Carolyn Guancione. "It is a place where I know I can send my kids in a pinch and they will be safe. It’s great local place that, while you are there, you feel like it is a small town and you are the only customer at the time.

"The staff in the deli is warm and courteous, and I enjoy going there.”

Guancione is referring to , where from 1987 until 2003, former Belleville and current Caldwell resident Frank Crocco worked for Mike Frade at the very popular Frade’s Deli. In 2003, the deli became his, and he (appropriately, of course) changed the name. Even though he claims it is obvious "people are holding back spending” due to the challenging economic conditions, he does have a message for you:

Order now for the holidays.

“Catering is 35% of our business,” says Crocco, whose day sometimes starts as early as 6:30 a.m., and lately making catering platters has taken up much of his staff’s time. “Right now, our orders are double.”

Frank’s Deli & Catering will be open on Christmas and New Year’s Eve from 8 a.m.–6 p.m., but closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Crocco, who moved to town when he was five and graduated from Belleville High School, changed very little about the deli upon purchase.

“You don’t change what’s not broken," says Crocco. "This place was always the place to come to. We’ve kept that professionalism.”

Belleville resident Ralph Guancione agrees. “I’ve been coming here since it was Frade’s, 12 years ago," he said. They’re like family here, friendly.”

“His kids like it, too,” adds Crocco with a smile.

“I usually get cold cuts, steaks, cutlets – it’s all good quality,” concludes Guancione.

Frank’s has a full butcher shop, and also offers cold cuts by the pound and groceries. Individual and family dinners are also made on site, as are delicious stuffed breads, soups, pies and much more. Also, as early 2011, Frank Crocco started jarring and selling his own brand of marinara sauce.

“I would rather sell my own than someone else’s brand I don’t know,” says Crocco, who smiles and adds.:“My mom taught me how to make it and jar it.” Hot and mild Italian peppers and other jarred items are available as well.

Mariana Hernandez and her family live in Belleville. “I usually get Felix (her grade-school son) mozzarella sticks or soup,” she says.

“The mozzarella sticks,” says a laughing Felix, “they are good.”

“The people on the register are amazing,” says Mariana, pointing at Andrea, one of the women who runs the register. “They all attend to you very well. And Andrea is amazing.”

Frank's Deli is also a huge community supporter. "I do a lot of donating to the local schools. Gift cards for tricky trays and discounts for food orders," affirms Crocco.

And in spite of times being challenging, the customers return. “I’ve noticed the impact,” says Frank Crocco. “But still, this is the deli in Belleville.”

Frank's Deli & Catering, 313 Union Avenue, (973) 759-3509, www.franksdelionline.com