This California Italian Market Packs Fresh-Baked Bread, Cannoli And 24 Gelato Flavors Under One Roof

Shopping for lunch gets complicated when the bread smells good enough to derail the entire plan.

Add cannoli and 24 gelato flavors nearby, and sticking to a sensible grocery list becomes almost laughable.

One old-school Italian market brings all of that temptation together under a single roof.

It is the sort of place where stopping for one ingredient can easily turn into a full basket and a snack before you even make it back to the car.

A California grocery run gets considerably more dangerous when cannoli and 24 gelato flavors are waiting near the finish line.

Fresh-baked bread alone could make the visit worthwhile, especially when you catch it at exactly the right moment.

But then another counter grabs your attention, followed by another reason to linger just a little longer.

Twenty-Four Gelato And Sorbet Flavors Waiting At The Counter

Counting the flavors is part of the fun here, and the total lands at 24 between gelato and sorbet.

The case sits inside Monte Carlo Italian Deli at 3103 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, California 91505, along the market side rather than in a separate shop.

Gelato is served in a chilled case where the colors stay soft and muted, which is often a good sign of a product made without heavy dyes.

Sorbet options give a lighter, dairy-free alternative for anyone who wants fruit flavors instead of cream.

Ordering works best when the deli side is not at peak lunch rush, since the counters share space and staff move between stations.

Late afternoon on a weekday usually feels calmer than a Saturday at noon.

A small cup is enough for most people after a full plate of pasta, though larger sizes are available for anyone treating gelato as the main event.

Gelato ranks among the most mentioned items by customers, which says something about how many visitors build their stop around it.

Standing at the case with a cone while surrounded by shelves of imported groceries makes for an odd and pleasant combination.

Fresh Italian Bread Arrives Every Single Day

Bread here is not an afterthought stacked near the register.

Fresh Italian bread is offered daily at the market, along with focaccia that gets sliced for sandwiches or carried home in a paper bag.

The loaves come from a bakery located around the corner, a business the deli once owned, which explains why the supply stays so consistent.

Timing matters if crusty bread is the goal, since the earlier hours of the day usually offer the widest selection before the lunch crowd works through it.

The market opens at 9 AM most days and 10 AM on Sundays, so a morning stop tends to be rewarding.

Bread plays a supporting role in nearly everything else sold here. Sandwiches from the deli counter get built on it, and shoppers grabbing prosciutto or cheese usually add a loaf without thinking twice.

Focaccia works well for anyone who prefers something softer with a little olive oil richness.

Buying a loaf alongside a jar of olive spread and a wedge of cheese makes an easy, low-effort meal for later.

Homemade Cannoli Fill The Pastry Case

Dessert lovers tend to drift toward the glass case before they even reach the deli counter.

Cannoli here are homemade rather than shipped in, and they sit alongside Italian cookies, pastries and biscotti.

They can be bought one at a time for an afternoon treat or arranged onto dessert trays for catering orders.

Shell texture is the thing to pay attention to with any cannoli, and a homemade version usually holds a firmer snap when filled closer to serving time.

Buying a few to take home works fine, though eating them the same day generally gives the best texture.

The cookie selection makes a good companion purchase, especially for anyone bringing dessert to a gathering.

Biscotti keep longer and travel well, which makes them practical for gifts or road trips.

Cannoli come up frequently in customer conversations about the market, right alongside gelato and the deli meats.

Pairing one with an espresso or cappuccino from the same counter turns a quick errand into a short break.

Seating is available nearby if the goal is to sit for a few minutes rather than eat standing in the parking lot.

An Italian Meat Counter Built For Serious Shopping

Few things slow a shopper down like a long glass case packed with cured meats.

The deli counter carries various salamis, imported and domestic prosciutto, capicola, soppressata, imported mortadella and pancetta.

More familiar options such as roast beef and turkey breast are stocked too, which helps when shopping for a mixed group.

Meats are sliced to order by weight, so it helps to know roughly how much is needed before stepping up to the counter.

A quarter pound per person is a reasonable starting point for a sandwich spread.

Asking for a specific thickness is completely normal, and thinner slices usually work better for prosciutto while soppressata holds up sliced a bit heavier.

Pancetta is worth grabbing for anyone cooking pasta at home, since it changes a simple sauce considerably.

The counter can get busy, and it sometimes takes a moment to figure out where one line ends and another begins because the stations share space.

Patience pays off, and staff will slice samples of certain items if asked politely.

Cheeses That Reach Far Past The Usual Parmesan

Parmesan is where most cheese shopping starts, and where it usually stops.

Not here.

The selection includes Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano, Sardo and Locatelli, plus a large assortment of cheeses from Spain, France and other regions.

Each of those Italian options behaves differently in the kitchen, which is useful to know before buying.

Pecorino Romano brings a sharper, saltier edge that stands up to bold pasta sauces.

Parmigiano Reggiano leans nutty and works well grated over almost anything or eaten in small chunks on its own.

Buying a wedge instead of pre-grated cheese makes a real difference in flavor and keeps longer in the refrigerator when wrapped properly.

Staff can cut pieces to a requested size, so there is no need to commit to a large block.

The non-Italian cheeses widen the options considerably for anyone assembling a board with variety.

Pairing a firm aged cheese with a softer one gives contrast that guests notice immediately.

Bread from the same visit rounds it out without much planning.

Shopping the cheese case is a good reason to come during quieter hours, since choosing takes time and the counter moves faster when the lunch rush hits.

Shelves Stocked With Imported Italian Groceries

Grocery aisles turn out to be one of the quieter pleasures of a visit.

Dozens of olive oils line the shelves, along with a wide range of dried pastas, San Marzano tomatoes, balsamic vinegars, risotto rice, Italian coffees and olive spreads.

Plenty of harder-to-find imported items sit among them, which is why some shoppers treat the trip as a stock-up run rather than a quick errand.

Reading labels is worth the time, especially with olive oil and canned tomatoes, where origin and processing affect flavor noticeably.

San Marzano tomatoes are a common starting point for people trying to improve homemade sauce without changing anything else.

Risotto rice is another item that often gets skipped at regular supermarkets but sits easily on these shelves.

Bringing a small list helps, because the selection can pull attention in several directions at once.

Prices vary across brands and sizes, so comparing a few bottles before choosing is reasonable.

The aisles are narrow in places, which makes a weekday visit more comfortable than a packed weekend afternoon. Baskets work better than carts in the tighter sections.

Prepared Foods Make Dinner Almost Effortless

Cooking from scratch is not always realistic on a Tuesday night.

The market and restaurant offer substantial prepared foods, with options including lasagna, eggplant parmesan, baked ziti, sausage and peppers, chicken parmesan and ravioli.

Everything can be picked up ready to reheat at home, which saves considerable time.

Catering goes further with party trays for sandwiches, appetizers, hot entrées, salads and desserts.

Most catering orders require about 24 hours of advance notice, so planning ahead matters for gatherings. Smaller takeout portions are generally available the same day.

Reheating baked pasta works best in an oven at moderate heat with the dish covered, which keeps the top from drying out. Adding a splash of sauce before warming helps too.

Pairing a prepared entrée with fresh bread and a simple salad makes a complete meal with almost no cooking involved.

Dessert can be handled in the same trip thanks to the pastry case and gelato counter.

Families hosting larger groups often combine a hot entrée tray with a sandwich platter to cover different preferences.

Finding The Place On Magnolia Boulevard

Location is half the reason this operation still feels like a neighborhood fixture.

Monte Carlo Italian Deli sits at 3103 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, California 91505, along a stretch known as Magnolia Park.

The market and attached restaurant occupy the same property, so one stop covers both.

Free parking is available outside, which makes a quick run in and out realistic even when carrying bags.

The surrounding blocks are walkable and lined with independent shops, giving visitors a reason to stay in the area a bit longer.

Combining a browse through nearby stores with a deli stop fills an easy afternoon.

Hours run 9 AM to 7:30 PM Monday and Tuesday, 9 AM to 8 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and 10 AM to 7 PM on Sunday.

Checking current hours before heading over is still wise, since schedules can shift around holidays.

Arriving outside peak lunch and dinner windows usually means shorter lines at both the deli counter and the hot food line.