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Drool-worthy, ain’t it?

This is the counter of Mike’s Deli, one of several Italian food counters at the now-infamous covered market at Arthur Avenue, in the Bronx.

Only a few years ago, this was not a neighborhood you wanted to enter if you didn’t live there, and even now, it’s pretty hard to get to, even from the nearest subway station. But the trek is totally worth it.

Not only is this area of the Bronx still populated by real Italians, but they are willing to share all that is good and holy in the realm of Italian food… which brings me to the market, and Mike’s.

Mike’s is famous in the Belmont community, and even outside of it for providing amazing quality Italian meats, cheeses, and cold antipasti. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sent up to Mike’s with an order so long that I had to bring the toughest male friend I have to help me haul it back downtown.

But, if it’s possible, even better than the food is the atmosphere. I know, it doesn’t seem possible. It’s just a deli, right? But it’s one of my favorite places on Earth, and I’m not the only one to say it. I think that most of the credit for this goes to the proprietor, Michele Greco. Famous in the community, Michele always remembers his customers, and is always proffering a slice of cheese or meat taken off what he’s slicing while you peruse.

I have to say, sometimes my absolute favourite snack is a little slice of Parmigiano-Reggiano or some prosciutto di Parma. And I’m not above a half-hour voyage to get it.