Memorable | One of the Best
Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille
Review by: Roadfood Team
Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille has huge, meat-laden cheese steaks star at this neighborhood market, which also is a source of great sausage, brascioli, meatballs, pasta, and sauce.
Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille is a classic neighborhood Italian Market – which has become (since 1975!) a huge local favorite in Easton and the surrounding Lehigh Valley. This place excels in the art of delivering great sandwiches consistently – and it has never disappointed. Not once. Located in Easton’s homey College Hill neighborhood (just off the campus of Lafayette College), We highly recommend a stop here for sandwich aficionados in general – and cheesesteak connoisseurs in particular.
What should I order at Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille?
Two sandwiches for which this place has grown locally famous – The Cheesesteak and The Godfather.
The Cheesesteak is AMAZING. Served on a 10 inch roll and absolutely packed with meaty, steaky goodness. The bread itself is notable due to the fact that it is firm but not hard or “too chewy” – and does not get soggy in spite of what it is packed with. Be prepared for beef that the brothers (the sons of Giacomo) and staff who run the place prepare themselves. Add to that cooked onions and a special sauce that is tomato based yet perfectly straddles the line – it is not “ketchup-y” nor is it particularly “tomato-ey” – but what it IS… is the ideal note of “sweet” with a slight tone of hot kick to it. Fear not if you don’t eat “hot” spices – order it anyway – this is FINE for you – there is a subtle tone of heat – it is NOT predominant or overwhelming. Add to White American Cheese and grilled onions. In fact the onions and the sauce are standard features of this sandwich – but they will always ask if you want them – just to be sure. (Say Yes!)
This sandwich won the Lehigh Valley Express-Times’ (newspaper) 2011 Cheesesteak Showdown where two of the newspaper’s writers put this sandwich up against 12 other cheesesteaks in the local area. BELIEVE THE HYPE. At the time of this writing Price = $6.75 (Cheesesteak including onions and sauce) $.50 extra to add mushrooms. The Best of the Best. NOTE: They also offer an “Italian Cheesesteak” – that is a different sandwich and not the one I am reviewing here – I mention that just to avoid confusion.
A second “Signature Sandwich” at Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille is served cold- The Godfather. This sandwich is a great departure from so many sandwiches out there that cling for dear life to their lettuce and tomatoes. This is not one of them – they are not even present on this sandwich. Prepare your palate for fresh prosciutto with roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinaigrette. Expect a savory blending of unique flavors that all come together to make one delicious and unique sandwich. The bread that contains all of this – seems to be the same bread that the cheesesteak has – nice and firm – not given to sogginess. It is a simple sandwich due to only a few ingredients yet it is a unique one. There will be some reading this who do not care for one or more of the ingredients from a personal taste standpoint – so the appeal for this particular sandwich will not be as broad as for the cheesesteak…but for the adventurous amongst you – have at it – this one is Signature.
You might have to wait a little bit to get your order – but RESPECT the wait. You are waiting because your order is prepared fresh and also due to the popularity of the sandwiches – it will be worth it! You will notice a well-oiled and well-managed operation going on behind the counter. Everyone is hustling and remain friendly while they cater to the line of customers. You can always watch the TV mounted on the wall as you wait. It is a picture of efficiency that goes on to serve the customers. Indoor seating is available in the front of the store (guesstimate – about 10 tables for 4 plus about 4 or 6 “highboy” tables for 2) – additional outside seating on the side street sidewalk during warm weather.
This place is very easy to side-detour and visit from US 22 (less than a mile off) or from I-78 (about 3 miles off) – and highly recommend stopping in. TAKE HOME some of their in-house-made Fresh Hot Italian Sausage – in fact there is usually more than one variety of sausage available.
So go! Mangia!
*original post by Bill M.*
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $$ |
| Seasons | All |
| Meals Served | Lunch, Dinner |
| Credit Cards Accepted | Yes |
| Alcohol Served | No |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes |
What To Eat
Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille?
One Response to “Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille”
Glen Goldstein
May 4th, 2013
As a cheesesteak aficionado I usually stick by firm rules — no cheesesteaks outside of Philadelphia OR South Jersey. Anything else is always a mistake.
Until now.
The cheesesteak here is superb, and unlike anything I’ve ever had in Philly. I’m used to a roll with Whiz spread on it (preferably with a paint stirring stick) with the meat on top. (Or meat on the roll with provolone laid on top of the meat for you provolone-y types.) The whole thing usually takes 30 seconds to assemble. I always order mine “with” (with onions) which are laid on top of everything else.
This was completely different — I ordered mine with sauce (as recommended in the previous review) and after a wait of about five or 10 minutes (prepared fresh!) I was served a terrific roll with what appeared to be meat, cheese, fried onions, and sauce that had all been stirred together first, then put on the roll. I’m sure I’m wrong on that description, but doing my best here. However they did it, it was fantastic and I’ll definitely be back.
Note that the restaurant is in sort of a residential area — right until I pulled up I was sure I had the wrong address, but there it was.