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Business & Tech

Calabria Imports: All That and a Bag of Homemade Chips

From sandwiches to homemade pasta sauce, this Italian import store/deli has something for everyone.

Calabriain Evergreen Park is up and running as if they had been there for generations.  Located where used to be at 3512 W. 95th Street, the shop is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. A bustling weekday lunch crowd filed in as orders for sandwiches, deli meats and more were placed and filled. Employees didn’t skip a beat as customers came in hungry and walked out happy. 

The business held a soft opening on Oct. 3 and owners John Barajas and Pat Roberto couldn’t be more pleased with the customer response.  “We run a friendly, family like business” said Barajas, and he invited customers to take advantage of the alternate entrance.  “Sure, park in the back and come right in through the kitchen” he said.  We are pretty sure he was serious.

Nora Cavanaugh, of Mount Greenwood, came in after noticing the shop from across the street.  “I was at the car wash and saw the import store from there, so I decided to come in and grab a sandwich for lunch.”  She was not alone as many people made this their destination for lunch that day.

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A dining room with casual seating and a counter bar is available should customers wish to dine in.  The business offers carry-out and delivery as well as a full catering menu that is sure to impress with a full line of pastas, dinner entrees, salads and more.

The deli case offers meat selections from Boars Head and other vendors as well as a plethora of specialty cold cuts like prosciutto. Soups and salads are homemade daily and the Pièce de résistance to any sandwich ordered at Calabria Imports is their signature homemade potato chips. 

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Refrigerated and freezer cases offer packaged pasta, grated cheeses and a number of quality Italian import items.  Fresh baked breads from Labriola, Torano and El Molino are delivered to the shop.  Shelves stocked full with a wide variety of homemade giardiniera, imported wafers, cookies and dried pasta line the center of the store.

The original Calabria Inports opened in 1975 in Blue Island.  The second location is still operating in the Beverly area at 1905 W. 103rd Street and is a neighborhood favorite. Sheila Roberto, wife of Pat Roberto invites customers to visit the new location in Evergreen Park and said “we hope people find our shop welcoming and appreciate the family owned, comfortable setting that we provide.” 

Rosa Barajas, wife of owner John Barajas was pleased with the response from locals saying “we’ve just opened the doors on Monday and without advertising, without announcement and only by word of mouth we have had so many people coming in.”

Whether you would like to pick up a sandwich for lunch with homemade chips or some authentic Italian pasta and homemade sauce for dinner, make sure you check out Evergreen Park’s newest and hottest spot for amazing Italian imported items.

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