Best of the East Bay
Best Italian Deli: The swamis of salami
Zarri's Delicatessen
Where can you get an imported prosciutto sandwich with pepperoncini and provolone on a hard-crust roll for less than three bucks? Answer: Zarri's on Solano. This Albany institution has been run by the same Italian-American family for five decades and serves classic delicacies such as torrone, pecorino, coppacola, and biscotti at 1950s prices. This isn't your North Beach kinda place -- no Dolce & Gabbana or charming cafe tables. It's more Palermo than Milan, and for an added bonus, the counter staff haven't changed their hairstyles since the 1950s, either. Grab a couple of sandwiches, a bottle of imported Chianti (less than $5), and head over to the Albany Waterfront park for a Tuscan picnic that costs less than filling up the tank of your Vespa.
