Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Authentic Italian Deli in River Forest Since 1966
Capri Italian Foods has been a family-owned institution since 1966, serving the River Forest, Oak Park, and Elmwood Park communities with authentic Italian cuisine. Our commitment to quality is evident in every homemade product, from our handcrafted marinara sauce and meatballs to our freshly made Italian sausage and roast beef. We source premium ingredients for our deli offerings, including imported prosciutto, mortadella, and capicollo, alongside daily fresh bread and baked goods. Our store curates over 50 years of culinary tradition with imported Italian products like olive oils, pastas, and cheeses, complemented by housewares such as Bialetti espresso makers. We specialize in made-to-order sandwiches, including our legendary Capri Sub, and provide a warm, neighborhood atmosphere where customers become part of our extended family.Our team, led by Joe, Marianna, and Nick, takes pride in maintaining the same standards that have made us a local favorite for generations. We offer catering for special events and maintain rigorous quality control across all prepared foods. With decades of experience, we ensure every customer experiences the richness of Italian culinary heritage. Our dedication to authenticity extends to seasonal holiday items like Panettone and handmade pastas, all crafted with care. This legacy of excellence continues to attract both longtime residents and new visitors seeking genuine Italian flavors.
Services
Italian Deli
Homemade Sausage
Sandwiches
Imported Products
Fresh Pasta
Baked Goods
Catering
Cheese Selection
Seasonal Items
Housewares
Details
- Year established: 1966
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 1966 with generations of culinary expertise
- Homemade sauces, meats, and pastas using premium ingredients
- Curated selection of over 50 imported Italian products
- Award-winning Capri Sub with house-made meats and cheeses
- Daily fresh bread and baked goods from traditional recipes
What people say
Delicious homemade foods
House-made mozzarella
Nonnas meat sauce
Life-changing marinated eggplant
Authentic Italian flavors
Services
Italian Deli
Our Italian deli offers freshly sliced meats including prosciutto, mortadella, and house-made Italian beef. We provide premium imported cheeses like provolone and fresh mozzarella, along with daily prepared specialties such as marinated artichokes and roasted peppers. The deli counter maintains traditional Italian quality standards.
Homemade Sausage
Capri Italian Foods produces homemade Italian sausage daily using proprietary recipes. Our sausage is available in marinara sauce or dried varieties, with quality control ensuring consistent flavor. This specialty item remains a top seller for both retail and catering customers.
Sandwiches
We create made-to-order sandwiches featuring house-made meats and imported cheeses. The Capri Sub combines salami, capicollo, mortadella, ham, and provolone on fresh bread. Options include vegetarian and 3-foot party subs, with customization available for special events.
Imported Products
Our store curates over 50 imported Italian products including San Marzano tomatoes, Bialetti espresso makers, and Acqua Panna water. We stock specialty items like Panettone and Toschi cherries, maintaining authenticity through direct imports from Italy.
Fresh Pasta
Capri Italian Foods offers homemade pasta varieties including ravioli and lasagna sheets. Our pasta sauces feature slow-cooked marinara and meat-based options. All pasta is prepared daily using traditional methods passed down through generations.
People
Joe
Owner
Joe co-owns Capri Italian Foods with Marianna and Nick. He oversees daily operations and maintains quality standards for homemade products. With over 55 years of experience, he ensures traditional Italian recipes are preserved.
Marianna
Owner
Marianna co-founded Capri Italian Foods in 1966. She manages the deli counter and recipe development. Her expertise in Italian cuisine ensures authentic flavors in every homemade sauce and meatball produced daily.
Nick
Owner
Nick, one of the original owners, handles inventory and customer relations. He maintains relationships with Italian suppliers to ensure premium imported products. His 55-year commitment sustains the store's reputation for quality.
Questions
What are Capri Italian Foodss' operating hours?
We're open Tuesday-Saturday 9 AM-3 PM and Sunday 9 AM-2 PM. Closed Mondays.
Do you offer catering services?
Yes, we provide catering with advance notice for sandwiches, pastas, and deli platters.
Are payment plans available for large orders?
No financing options exist, but we accept cash payments for all orders.
What makes your Italian sausage unique?
Our sausage uses a family recipe with imported spices, made fresh daily in-store.
Do you sell gift items?
Yes, we offer Italian housewares, novelties, and seasonal holiday items like Panettone.
Can I order sandwiches online?
Currently, we accept in-store orders only for sandwiches, with pre-orders available by phone.
Reviews (6)
Alex Lubertozzi
Dec 30, 2021
Report
Been going here for almost 20 years. Wonderful meats, cheeses, pastas, and sauces. Whenever I get a craving for an Italian beef sandwich, I go to Capri for all the ingredients. Their beef, gravy, provolone, giardinara, and rolls make for the perfect sangwich (as my dad would say). They also have some terrific cookies at the counter. Make sure to bring cash.
Mark D.
Nov 23, 2021
Report
Hopefully you don't get the lady that works there (told her quarter pound she gives me a half, and I asked what she's doing and she says oh it's a little over) I've been going there for years and she always screws something up when I order. The father and son are the best to deal with.. The sub sandwiches used to be good, they had plenty of meat on them, now the prices have increased barely any meat lots of bread though if you like that. From now on I'm just going to keep going to Caputo's.....
Jeremy Brewington
Jan 29, 2021
Report
I love a italian sub! Regardless of the meat choices, if the bread isn't fresh, then the rest is a mess. Just purchased a sub from Capri. The bread had to be 3 days old! So disappointing!!!! Jimmy John's makes s better sub than this. I'll drive to nonna's instead is much farther but exponentially better.
Tiffany Stone
Jan 20, 2021
Report
This is the best store in town, subs are amazing, fresh deli and all kinds of authentic Italian goodies. I have to drive a long way now to get it but I will gladly always stop when nearby, its a must!
Willie Don'T. Stall
Oct 30, 2019
Report
This place is amazing! Fresh food, fresh warm bread! I truly enjoyed it! It was my 1st time their~pictures and what's good to me on my next trip!
Johanna Brocker
Oct 18, 2016
Report
Just going to the door will enhance your appetite the food smells delicious the cheeses can be cut to order the Italian sandwiches are homemade with fresh bread it's a wonderful place to shop if you like Italian food and if you don't like Italian food try theirs
