This Old-School California Italian Deli Opened With Just One Sandwich On The Menu In 1952
Starting a deli with only one sandwich sounds almost absurd by today’s standards.
Back in 1952, though, one family kept things remarkably simple, putting all its attention into a sandwich called the Torpedo.
That modest beginning did not stay modest for long. Over the decades, the business expanded into a bakery, deli, and Italian grocery market.
More than 70 years later, California diners can still order the sandwich that started this entire family business.
Fresh bread baked from scratch each day adds another old-school touch, while house-made sausage and shelves of Italian groceries make stopping for lunch dangerously easy.
Plenty has changed since that first one-item menu. Still, ordering the original Torpedo means lunch comes with a direct connection to a decision made back in 1952.
It All Started With One Sandwich In 1952
Most restaurants open with long menus and big plans. Frances and Gaetano Giuliano took a much simpler route when they opened their deli in 1952.
Their first menu had exactly one item on it, a sandwich called the Torpedo. Starting small gave the young business a clear focus.
The founders wanted to bring classic Italian food traditions to Southern California and keep that food fresh and affordable.
A single sandwich made that goal easier to manage, since every roll and every slice of meat could get full attention.
Many small food businesses still follow a similar idea today. Doing one thing well can build trust with customers before adding more choices.
The Giuliano family seems to have proven that point over the following decades. That one sandwich slowly grew into a much larger operation.
Today the business includes a full deli counter, a bakery, and an Italian grocery market.
The goal of fresh and inexpensive Italian food still guides the place, according to the family’s own history.
Knowing this backstory can make a first visit feel a little more meaningful. Ordering a sandwich here connects a modern lunch to a decision made more than seventy years ago.
Fresh Bread Comes Straight From Its Own Ovens
Good sandwiches start long before anyone slices a single piece of salami. Bread at Giuliano’s is baked from scratch every day instead of arriving from an outside supplier.
That choice shapes nearly everything served at the counter.
The daily lineup covers a nice range of styles. Country French rolls, baguettes, sourdough breads, and croissants are all part of the selection.
A walnut raisin wheat bread adds a slightly sweet option for anyone who likes something different.
Fresh bread has a texture that packaged rolls rarely match. The crust often has a light crunch, while the inside stays soft and airy.
Many visitors mention the smell of warm bread as one of the first things they notice indoors. Loaves can also be bought to take home.
A baguette pairs easily with cheese from the market for a simple snack or picnic. Sourdough works well for toast or homemade sandwiches later in the week.
Popular breads could sell out later in the day, especially on busy weekends. Shoppers hoping for a specific loaf may want to stop by earlier.
From One Choice To A Long List Of Sandwiches
Reading the menu board today can feel a little overwhelming in the best way.
The single sandwich of 1952 has turned into a long list of hot and cold choices. Deciding what to order might take a few extra minutes.
The Giulio is one well-known option. It features a classic Italian cold cut combination with provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pepperoncini, and a special house dressing.
Many people consider it a natural next step after trying the Torpedo.
Plenty of other choices fill the board. The Gaetano, roast beef, Turkey Capri, and Smoked Turkey California are among the listed sandwiches.
Hot options like pastrami and meatball sandwiches also come up often in customer comments.
Calling ahead during the workday is a common tip from regulars. Looking at the menu online before arriving can also speed things up.
Small sizes are still fairly large, according to many visitors. Hungry groups might enjoy ordering a few different sandwiches and splitting them.
That way everyone gets a taste of both the classics and the newer additions.
Shelves Full Of Italian Groceries Wait Past The Counter
Lunch is only part of the reason people walk through the doors. Giuliano’s also works as a full Italian deli and grocery market with shelves stocked for home cooks.
Many visitors leave carrying a bag of ingredients along with their sandwich. The deli case holds a wide selection of Italian meats and cheeses.
Shoppers can find salamis, cured hams, and a variety of cheeses sliced or packaged. The cheese counter gets plenty of praise from regular customers.
Pantry items fill the aisles as well. Olive oil, dried and fresh pasta, canned tomatoes, and tinned fish are among the items people mention.
Sauces and breads make it easy to put together a full meal in one stop.
Browsing works best at a relaxed pace. Aisles can feel snug when the store gets crowded, so weekday mornings might offer more room to look around.
Home cooks planning a pasta night could grab sauce, pasta, cheese, and bread all at once. Holiday hosts may also find specialty items that are hard to locate at larger chain stores.
The market turns a quick lunch stop into a chance to stock the kitchen.
Sausage Built On A Nearly Century-Old Recipe
Did you know some recipes are older than the businesses that use them? The Italian sausage at Giuliano’s follows a recipe that is approaching a century old, according to the deli.
That makes it even older than the deli itself.
The process starts with freshly delivered pork. Staff grind and season the meat in-house rather than buying ready-made links.
Doing it this way lets the family keep tight control over flavor and freshness.
Old recipes often survive because people love them enough to protect them. Passing a recipe down for close to one hundred years takes real care and consistency.
Each batch connects today’s customers to cooks from generations past. The sausage shows up in several places on the menu.
The grilled sausage and peppers sandwich is one popular way to try it. It comes on a country French roll with provolone and marinara sauce.
Home cooks can also buy sausage to take home. It may work well in pasta sauce, on homemade pizza, or grilled with onions and peppers.
Cooking it slowly over medium heat helps keep the inside juicy.
Hot Dishes Round Out The Deli Counter
Cold sandwiches might be the headline, yet the hot food deserves plenty of attention.
The menu stretches into warm Italian comfort dishes that work well for a sit-down lunch or an easy dinner. Plenty of regulars order these just as often as sandwiches.
Eggplant parmigiana is one standout option. It comes baked with ricotta and spinach, then topped with marinara and provolone.
A daily homemade soup gives another warm choice on cooler days.
Other hot items add even more variety. Grilled sausage and peppers, calzones, pizza, and pasta with marinara all appear on the menu.
Hot dishes can take longer to prepare during the lunch rush. Ordering ahead by phone may help on busy days. Checking a pizza or other order before leaving is a good habit with any takeout.
Outdoor seating is available for anyone who wants to eat right away. The tables sit near a busy street, so traffic noise may be noticeable.
The range of hot dishes makes it easy to come back several times and try something new each visit.
Sweet Treats Earn A Second Look
Saving room for dessert is a smart plan here. The bakery side of the business goes well beyond bread, with a case full of sweet treats.
Cookies and eclairs were part of the family’s reputation for fresh preparation from early on. Italian pastries are a big part of the lineup.
Cannoli are a frequent favorite, with a crisp shell and creamy filling. Sfogliatelle and napoleons may also appear in the case.
American classics show up as well. Cheesecake, pies, brownies, and strawberry shortcake have been part of the selection.
Zucchini bread and butter croissants also earn kind words from visitors.
Desserts can vary depending on the day. Looking over the case before deciding is the best way to see what is available. Popular pastries could run low later in the afternoon.
Cookies make an easy treat to grab for the drive home. A box of mixed pastries could be a thoughtful gift for a family gathering or office break room.
Ending a savory meal with something sweet feels like the natural finish to a classic deli visit.
A True Local Institution In Gardena
Surviving more than seventy years in the food business is no small feat.
Giuliano’s has grown from a one-sandwich shop into a well-known part of daily life in its community. Many people in the area have memories tied to its food.
The local paper has noticed too. The Gardena Valley News has highlighted the deli for its focus on tradition, freshness, and family recipes.
That kind of attention reflects how deeply rooted the business has become.
Generations of customers have passed through the doors. Some remember sandwiches from school lunches, while others first visited as adults.
Travelers from other parts of the state sometimes make the trip just to try it.
Weekends and lunch hours can get crowded as a result. Arriving in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon might mean shorter waits.
Catering for holidays and celebrations is another service many locals use.
Places like this help give a neighborhood its personality, and Gardena would feel different without it.
Still Serving From Gardena Boulevard
Plenty of old businesses move, rebrand, or close over the years. The Original Giuliano’s Delicatessen continues to welcome customers at 1138 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, California 90247.
That steady presence links today’s busy market straight back to its 1952 beginnings.
Hours are fairly easy to remember. The deli is listed as open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
Hours may change around holidays, so checking ahead is always wise. The official website also lists menu details and store information.
Inside, the space is lined with shelves, deli cases, and bakery displays.
The ordering counter for sandwiches and hot food sits toward the back of the store. Outdoor seating offers a quick spot to eat.
A first visit might work best with a simple plan. Start with the Torpedo, browse the market, and pick up a pastry before leaving.
That route covers the history, the groceries, and the bakery in one easy trip.
