A Local Gem- T&F Pork Store & Italian Deli

Here's a recent find just in time for Easter: T&F Pork Store & Italian Deli on Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square. It's been family run since the '70s and the steady flow of customers shows it's still going strong.

When you walk into a deli and see various foods hanging from the ceiling- cheese, sausage, etc.., they're usually fake. But at T&F Pork Store they're real. There are bunches of homemade sausage and soppresata hanging everywhere and if you want one, they'll just pull it down for you. They make their own right there in the store. We had a sample and it was delicious.

They also make their own homemade mozzarella cheese. When I asked John (one of the second generation owners) if he thought they'd run out on Easter, he said no way- they'll be making over 200 of them! I'll be sure to go back on Friday or Saturday for mine.

A traditional Italian Easter favorite that my dad sometimes makes is pizza rustica. This delicious pie is usually filled with eggs, ricotta cheese and diced meat. They carry it at T&F and it looked fantastic. I placed my order already so I'll have one for Easter. As my dad says- a slice of pizza rustica with a glass of red wine makes a perfect meal. Pick one up for yourself, add a green salad and you've got dinner.

There's also an array of Italian cookies, bread, olives, peppers, pasta, ravioli, tortellini, etc. You can just stop in there for a sandwich too. I ordered the "Fuhgeddaboudit" and let's just say "forget about it"- it was awesome. 

T&F Pork Store is a rare gem. You might be able to find a place like this on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx, but Hoboken doesn't even have a pork store/Italian deli like this anymore. And that's saying something. I'll certainly be adding this store to my list of local treasure. And you should too.


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