Rick comes from a long line of food entrepreneurs. His maternal great-grandfather immigrated from Naples, Italy, in 1922 and opened an Italian Bakery in Jersey City, New Jersey. Over the years, family offerings included butcher shops, bakeries, seafood markets, and delis through New Jersey and New York State. Rick started cooking when he was 8 years old, but chose a different path as an adult, although he always found himself during his spare time helping out in the family businesses. Rick worked for many years as VP of facilities for a large university. During COVID, he left that career and decided to go back to his roots, first opening a small café, then adding a pizzeria, and then finally opening an Italian Deli and Specialty shop. Later, Phyllis joined Rick in running their three businesses. Phyllis had worked as a medical assistant for 30 years, but the sound of running her own small business and serving great food to wonderful customers hit home for her, and she was happy to be a part of it. Through the years, many of Phyllis and Rick’s children have worked in the family business during their breaks from college. Their businesses are truly family operated. Nonna, AKA Angela, even comes into the deli three times a week to make her famous hand-rolled meatballs. Produce is locally sourced and delivered twice a week to Nonna’s. Some bread and specialty items are brought in from long-time cherished New York friends and family who own bakeries: this is traditional New York stuff. Phyllis bakes pies and pastries in-house, as well. Phyllis also takes advanced orders for homemade pierogi, taking her back to her Polish heritage. Phyllis’ family owned and operated a Polish catering business in Massachusetts. The deli also offers catering services with everything you could imagine for a big party or event.
Welcome to Summerville, Nonna’s Olde World Italian Deli
You’ll find a variety of cold and hot sandwiches, salads, burgers, and delicious entrees and desserts.
If you are heading into downtown Summerville anytime soon, make sure you show up hungry. Then make a stop into Nonna’s Olde World Italian Deli at 129 South Main Street, right in the heart of town, for some great Italian eats with a New York flair. At Nonna’s you’ll find Thumann’s deli meats that are sliced to order, they make their own mozzarella every morning, you’ll find cold and hot sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Their famous shaved ribeye cheesesteak sandwiches with Cooper white American cheese are served on Amoroso bread products, direct from Philly, reminiscent of Jersey
Shore boardwalk and South Philly sandwiches. You’ll also find delicious entrees and desserts. Nonna’s serves Arancini (rice balls), imported olives and Italian meats, Manhattan Special soda, other Italian imported beverages, freshly made Focaccia along with breads and rolls and all kinds of scrumptious desserts. If you are missing the taste and atmosphere of an olde world NY/NJ deli, Nonna’s is the place to be. All orders are made fresh with love, so it might take a few extra minutes, but it’s well worth the wait.
Like so many others, Rick and Phyllis Riccio made plans to move to Summerville to retire, loving the weather, friendly vibe and history. They had spent their lives in New York and New Jersey, with a long family history in the restaurant industry. Summerville was supposed to be their retirement, or so they thought. As they waited for their new home to be built, Rick and Phyllis started pondering opening a smaller version of their business up North, a high-quality, authentic NY/NJ deli and specialty shop, which Rick really thought was missing from the amazing food scene in Summerville. With that, Nonna’s was born. Nonna’s Olde World Italian Deli was named in honor of Rick’s mother, Angela, who just turned 83 and moved to Summerville with them. The deli opened in April and is open from 10 AM – 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. They intentionally close at 6 to encourage residents to frequent the sit-down restaurants for dinner in town. They save Sundays for God and family and give their employees the opportunity to do the same.
While Phyllis runs the front of the house operations, along with their staff, and helps with some of the administrative duties, Rick can be found mostly in the back of the house, running the kitchen, working with the kitchen staff and sharing in the administrative day to day of running a business.
Rick and Phyllis are excited to be contributing to the food vibe in Summerville and are grateful for all their customers, both new and the regulars. Stop in and say hello, grab some food and experience Nonna’s for yourself. You will be glad you did.
