Savor – Cheap Eats
BY Ashley Newman-Owens
BEST BET CHEAPEST THING ON THE MENU MOST EXPENSIVE HEALTHIEST SPICIEST KITSCH APPEAL KID FRIENDLY SPEEDY EATS ALCOHOL — Ashley Newman-Owens
For more than 20 years fine food has been Martino Pica’s business but it wasn’t until 2006 that the Azalea Coast got a taste of his fresh Southern Italian cuisine. MARTINO’S (7041 Wrightsville Avenue 910-509-2727) quadruples as a traditional Italian deli a butcher shop a caterer (considering hosting a holiday party?) and a grocer. Inviting display cases beckon with stuffed peppers marinated mushrooms sundried tomato pasta (tossed with white wine and prosciutto) and bocce-sized rice balls all sold by the pound. The touchstones here are “fresh” and “from scratch”: homebaked ciabatta homemade roast beef fresh mozzarella made daily a huge selection of homemade sauces. And the pasta? Homemade. Go ahead — take some home.
Martino’s Special delivers a generous meaty treat: prosciutto sopressata mortadella fresh mozzarella roasted red peppers oil and vinegar all in each bite. On a hero or roll.
Whichever way you’re leaning $4.99 will get you there. Try the Italian roll (salami pepperoni ham cappy provolone) the American roll (turkey ham roast beef American cheese) or the tuna fish roll (with American cheese) all with lettuce and tomato.
The hot hero sandwiches top the price charts — but still only put you out $7.99. Try the meatball parmigiana or a chicken cutlet with fresh mozzarella and roasted red pepper.
With fresh mozzarella grilled eggplant roasted red peppers and tomato the vegetarian sandwich packs plenty to feel good about as does the stuffed spinach bread or a side of grilled zucchini eggplant and peppers.
The homemade hot sausage with crushed red pepper and paprika takes it hands down.
Your eyes will dart from the tantalizing salads and pastas posing in the display cases to the cold cuts and impressive sausage coils of the butchery then between the many novel drinks cookies and other temptations that constitute the grocery section.
Certo! The American sandwich is an especially high scorer with the younger crowd (it must be the homemade roast beef).
Food is made to order and fast. Takeout only.
Full selection of wine.