Having moved to the Akron area from Youngstown, one of the first things I noticed was the dearth of worthwhile Italian fare. At one point I held a job where we went to the Olive Garden every time someone had a birthday and I am still convinced at least a fair percent of the reason was to irritate me. For decades now, I have been making trips to Youngstown and not allowing my family to eat anything but Italian. I have to have it, they get it all the time.

We stumbled across a little market on Tallmadge that has allowed me to enjoy other types of meals with my family in Y-town. DiVitis is a little market and when I first walked in I was disappointed. I was first greeted by a couple of rows of fresh produce and thought to myself, “This is going to be like every other market in the area.” It took a while to dawn on me how fresh and vibrant the produce was, a good sign for a cuisine based on simple and fresh. The place seems so small, and it is, that I figured we were done.

Then we turned the corner. Fresh and dried pasta in every cut and caliber, sauces, prepared take home dinners, freezers of imported quality and then…the deli counter. Large hunks of cured meats, olives, salads of several stripes, prepared happiness all awaits behind the glass.
 

The employees have always been helpful and seem to be happy to work there. They have passed several important tests. Sandwiches are always exceptional. I favor the Torpedo Adriatico on a soft Italian roll with Capocollo, Proscuittini, Italian Dry Salami, and Asiago Cheese. Steph prefers the Italian Sub with Cooked Ham, Salami, Hot Ham, and Provolone. At first glance it seems to be too much bread for the innards, but once you tuck in, you realize the meats and cheese are done right and stand up to the bread with intensity. Usually we get a bit of pasta salad with cheddar, fresh peas, celery, peppers, and a bright, but surprisingly subtle vinaigrette.

Meatballs and sauce, fresh pasta, fabulous bread have all made DiVitis our secret source in the Akron area. If you can get there during the lunch hour you can also choose from the daily hot offerings from pizza to meatball subs. Before the big finale, a side note. Things here are not exorbitant, but they are not cheap. There are still a couple of places in the old hometown where you can get two days worth of food at the same cost as a drive-thru. I suppose if you are the only one’s in town you can charge a little more.
 

Almond Cream Awesome

Whatever you might decide on, Do Not Leave Without the little plastic container which says Almond Crème Cake on the top. This is magic. Layer after layer of different almondy flavors. It is light, built on a layer of what I believe to be almond liqueur soaked lady fingers. This block of heaven is topped with a nutty but perfectly smooth cream topped by crunchy almond stupendous. Give it a try and you will find your self buying lots of things all in an effort to justify another trip for the sponge of scrumptious.

Can You Hear It Calling???