Felice Italian Pork Store & Deli has been named a Fred Bollaci Enterprises Golden Palate Partner®, signifying the very best in quality, authenticity, and dedicated, “hands-on” owners.
Clearwater area residents have been fortunate for the past thirty years to have Felice (“happy” in Italian), named for the jovial patriarch/owner, Felice D’Elia of this family affair and long-time personal favorite. Felice hails from the beautiful town of Vietri Sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast in the province of Campania, south of Naples–an area famous for fresh mozzarella, excellent seafood, amazing tomatoes, the best produce, lemons (limoncello), and a beautiful, sun-drenched, “happy” way of life. The Amalfi Coast is one of my personal favorite places in the world to visit–one can’t help but be revitalized by the positive energy and timeless beauty of the place and its “felice” people!
Felice came to Clearwater by way of Long Island, New York–where I grew up before moving to Florida with my family to attend high school in 1990. Felice and family had (and still own) delis/restaurants in Rocky Point and Patchogue, Long Island, including Del Fiore, famous for fresh ravioli and pasta. For some thirty years, he and his family have filled a much needed niche in the Tampa Bay area, home to a large population of Italian-Americans and Italians.
Enjoy the best fresh mozzarella (made in-house every morning– get there at 9 when they open, and it is still warm, go home and slice it for a Caprese salad or put a piece on a slice of their freshly baked bread (from the Casa del Pane bakery in St. Petersburg– classic Italian loaves with and without seeds, regular and semolina at their finest), and you will see what I mean! Felice also makes a variety of Italian sausage daily including plain, hot and sweet with fennel seeds, and my favorite “Cervellata” wheels of pecorino Romano and parsley, excellent on the grill! Felice has a large selection of imported Italian cold cuts and cheeses, as well as products, including pastas, olive oils, coffee, wine, tomato products, house-marinated vegetables (the best roasted peppers), seafood (great Calamari Salad), and is legendary for amazing sandwiches (people line up at lunch time, and he has a loyal following of local businesses whom they deliver to).
Go visit Felice and feel his contagious “happy” sunny, “Amalfi Coast” attitude! He usually has on Italian Soccer via satellite, or can be heard singing Italian songs or quoting Italian proverbs, singing while he slices meat, grates cheese, and wraps up sandwiches to go. Felice, along with his daughter Gabriella and family will make you feel at home with the authentic taste and hospitality of southern Italy!
See you in Clearwater, and please tell Felice and famiglia that Fred Bollaci sent you!
Felice Italian Pork Store & Deli
29263 US Highway 19 N.
Clearwater, FL 33761
727.785.7502
