After long delay, overspent budget, and a handful of building code problems, Turco’s Italian Foods opened last Saturday.
Perched at the corner of Roosevelt Road and East Avenue, the little Italian grocery takes over the spot once occupied by Cairo’s Sausage Shop.
Angelina Turco-Potenzo, 49, of Berwyn, planned to open by the end of 2006. But the building was in worse shape than expected. The Turco family had to put more money into the venture.
Turco’s offers different hot items each day-Tuesday was a meatball sub, beef sandwich or sausage and peppers sandwich. The menu includes several homemade subs, like the Turco’s Italian-which includes capicola, Italian ham, Genoa salami and provolone. Subs come in 9 or 18 inches, topped with olive oil, Italian seasonings and a choice of cheese. Add-on items like artichokes or marinated eggplants are also available.
They sell over a dozen imported deli meats (aged prosciutto, mortadella, pepperoni), cheeses (asiago, mozarella, scarmozza), and some fresh salads.
Turco’s has a small selection of imported Italian grocery items. The family purposely left a few shelves open and is asking customers to suggest anything they think is missing.
They accept cash only and are still working on a place to sit down and eat. Frank Turco said they hope to get assistance from the village to eventually add a patio.
Turco’s is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They close at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The store can be reached at 708/948-7720.
“It feels great,” Turco-Potenzo said of finally opening. “We’re happy to be here. The reception we’re getting from the community is making it all worthwhile.”
-Marty Stempniak
