Jimmy's Takes the Canoli

I've been anticipating this time of year for quite some time; the new season of Boardwalk Empirehas finally premiered. HBO has sated my appetite for murder, sex and violence in a way that AMC marathons of Goodfellas couldn't. (I just can't actually picture Joe Pesci saying 'freaking')

 There is no better place to live my mafia fantasy than at Jimmy's Food Store off of Fitzhugh in east Dallas. From the outside, this hidden gem appears to be nothing more than a neighborhood convenience store, but inside lies the hard work of perfected, homemade food that makes you ashamed to admit you've had a meatball sub at Subway...or anywhere else, really.

Walking in the doors, you're bombarded with rich produce, fresh gelato and homemade pasta; a million selections of canned tomatoes, and olive oil inside decorated tins so pretty, I almost purchased some even though I already have three bottles at home. Jimmy's also has a hearty selection of wines and Prosecco, and to top things off, they sell Kinder chocolate. Aisles are filled with specialty products that you know are mom and pop approved. You can gaze until your eyes are glazed over and meanwhile, Frank Sinatra plays in the background and the scents from the selections at the deli tantalize the air.

On my first visit to Jimmy's, I wanted something heavy to soak up the night before; their meatball sub hit the nail on the head. Homemade meatballs on a toasted bun are coated with marinara, onions, mozzarella and sweet peppers all washed down with a large Mexican coke; a hangover's love affair. Though I may not be a meatball sub aficionado, I knew then and there that I had one of the best at Jimmy's.

The next time, I got the Calabrese Panino with pros cotta, marinated peppers, and fontina cheese, and even though I feel cliché for saying this, the secret is in the fresh bread. Because and only because it is such a generous sandwich, I force fed my friends who were all busy filling themselves on fresh deli subs and Muffuletas. Other favorites are their Cuban sandwich; their Prosciutto Panino which is stacked with hunks of mozzarella; their tuna panino and of course, freshly sliced deli meats for a sub. If somehow you happen to have any room for desert, Jimmy's offers regular and chocolate cannoli's, and to reiterate it in case you haven't yet caught on, all homemade.

The only thing that disappoints me about Jimmy's is that each time, I halfway and truly expect to see Deniro, Liotta, and Pesci in the back discussing a job over prosciutto and meatballs. Instead, I only see ordinary people browsing through the market or eating a meatball sub and underestimating the amount of napkins needed. 

-Alyssa Thomas

Jimmy's Food Store

4901 Bryan Street at Fitzhugh

Dallas TX, 75206

214.823.618 

Monday - Saturday 9 AM to 7:30 PM