Carlino’s Specialty Foods
2616 E County Line Rd, Ardmore, PA, 19003
Carlino’s Specialty Foods Menu
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Address :
2616 E County Line Rd
Ardmore, PA, 19003 - Phone (610) 649-4046
- Website https://www.carlinosmarket.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :Closed
- Mon : Closed
Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Nando F.
I'm Italian , i have a lot of family, and i have been to Italy plenty of times to see them, up north for my fathers side and Sicily for my mothers family. Carlino's is litteraly behind my parents house, the end of the parking lot there are garages and houses.. well thats them, so if you see my pops workin on the garden to his tomatoes, or hot peppers giva a wave.. you'll probably get somthing out of it. So for a majority of my life i have been around Italian cooking, the freshness of the tomatoes and how they are truely made. I remember this being a house that they bought and converted into a little shop. They continued to get bigger and this is now what you see through out the years. I am not knocking Carlino's they found something that people like. I am happy for the Carlino family and how they use all parts of the family from first cousins to third and 4th.. even married into the family(lol sounds like mafia)... Its Italian cuisine and they are located in the main line so they already know people are gonna pay that astronomical price for a piece of chicken cutlet, meatballs, etc.. Myself and my family only come here for the breads, lunch meats (prosciutto, suprasatta, salami.and cheeses) sometimes we'd get the olives. Thats as far as we go into buying from them We don't get the dishes they make, because its not that we don't like there cooking or the style, its because: A) my mother cooks better, and they are more for the general public who don't know basically. B) If i could Yelp my moms kitchen than i would, my mom is from sicily and her cooking is out of this world. I am not saying this because she is my mother and everyone loves moms cooking. The clientele my mom does the cooking for are up there. C) plus for that price its crazy... They get those stars for the fresh semolina bread they make everyday.. and for the imports of lunch meats and cheeses.
(4)Cody Y.
I died and went to Italian heaven. But seriously, just walking into Carlino's is an experience all its own. Cheeses, pasta, desserts, and olive oil as far as the eye can see. You will be paying a bit more that your average grocery store, but can you really put a price on quality? Carlino's has oodles of that, with homemade comfort that will make you feel sorry for your gluten free friend. I'd highly recommend the desserts, especially the Cannolis and Tiramisu, which will instantly make you the most popular person at the dinner party. If you're Italian, partially Italian, dating an Italian, or have played Super Mario Brothers, you're guaranteed to love Carlino's. Just come for the free samples.
(5)Mike W.
I love coming to this place for all things Italian. They make absolutely delicious food and they have pretty much every italian product you can imagine. They do everything well from pizza to pasta, sandwiches to desserts. It is a specialty shop so it is a little bit pricier than some other shops may be, but the quality of their products is unmatched. The specialty sandwiches are where its at. They all contain super premium ingredients, and they always taste delicious. I have had numerous options here ranging from a classic italian hoagie to a proscuitto and parm panini with fig spread, to pretty much anything that you can imagine, that was delicious. Everything is expertly crafted, and the quality really shines through. This is definitely my go to place in the area for a lunch when I dont bring mine with me from home. I end up here more than any other place nearby, and that is a testament to the quality of the items that they are producing. Check it out, you definitely wont be disappointed.
(4)Lara G.
First I'll say that most of the prepared food that I've tried here is really good. There are SOME helpful people in there and I think one genuinely friendly person that I've come in contact with, that is also helpful, asks how I'm doing, etc. Others tend to give the impression you're bothering them if you stop them during their regular routine and ask for help. I have gotten one hoagie in there and the roll was hard. Personally I like soft rolls. I know some rolls are supposed to be hard. But just a personal preference, so if you want a hoagie and you like soft rolls I don't recommend theirs. The main problem I have with this place is the coffee station. This past summer, I went in specifically for iced coffee and was told they don't offer it because the ice machine is broken. I don't use ice anyway. It takes up space and if already cold what's the point since you get less. But even worse...why has the ice machine been broken all season? Even more annoying is the station itself. The little area where they set up condiments to prepare your coffee is in the way of a small pathway that employees need to get by. So you have to move every time someone wants to get by if you're in the middle of preparing your coffee. Not the employees fault. But it's a poor design. Yesterday I went in late morning for a latte. As I stood at the counter I did not get noticed as the girl was taking choco chip cookies off of a sheet pan, looking down. Another sign that customers don't come first. I didn't expect her to stop what she was doing, but an acknowledgement and a "I'll be right with you" would be nice. I wanted a flavored latte but was told they have no syrups for that. The flavors are advertised on a well hidden menu behind the milk machine. And I have gotten flavored lattes there in the past. So what's the deal? So I went for a hot coffee instead. Once I had my own travel mug filled and prepared just the way I like it, I took a sip to find it was COLD! Ironic I know. I told the girl behind the counter and she did proceed to make more but she didn't acknowledge it until I asked if she was indeed making more. I had nowhere to dump the cold coffee and she hesitated a little to take the mug to dump it. Not sure why and so I asked the manager walking by and through to the bakery section which is where the coffee station is, to do it. He did and then handed it back to me wet. So I asked for a paper towel. Why would I need to ask for a paper towel. I don't mind drying it off myself, but sheesh, why hand someone back a wet mug? The other problem with the station itself is that it's a mess. I've been in there a few times recently before yesterday and it looks the same having not been refilled with condiments, coffee cup lids or sweeteners. The bottle of honey (that yes I use in my coffee) was so low it took a long time to actually get some into my coffee. The girl is new so not sure whether to point the finger at her, but if she's unaware someone needs to train her. Like that manager that walked by and didn't seem to care about the situation at all. He's one of those guys who likes to call women sweetie, honey and dear. He's only in his 30s so I don't take too well to these word choices when speaking to women. Grandfatherly types can get away with that but coming from a 30 something is just condescending. I'm giving this two stars because even though I like the food, the experience to me is a notch more important and my experience in there is not usually as pleasant as you think it would be for a small local business.
(2)Craig L.
Where to start with Carlino's. I generally go for prepared italian dinners; and have yet to be let down. Lunchtime hoagies are good; but you will need to get an italian or turkey if you are in a rush; they are made ahead of time. The bakery is simply a treat. Tomato Pie and Pizza are a godsend. Even with the remodel it gets super crowded at times, the parking is a mess. Park on the street instead; save yourself some trouble. Lastly the coffee bar; it's hit or miss (thus the 4 stars instead of five). It is a great place to stroll in the mornings.
(4)Steve I.
This is quite a place. A large selection of Italian food, both prepared and cook your own. I usually go for their excellent bread and lunch meats. I tend to stay away from their prepared food because it is way overpriced. I would rather get the basic ingredients and make it myself. I am Italian and like to cook, but I guess a lot of people can't and have to spend 8 dollars a pound for orzo salad that you could make yourself for a tenth of the price. That being said they have a HUGE selection of food and it is all good quality, so bring the plastic and enjoy.
(4)Tom E.
Carlinos is easily one of the finest Italian specialty stores in this area. It's not a very big place from the outside in its appearance as my guess it was once a house converted into a store but once inside it's quite deceiving. Not a spot is wasted. As you enter, there is an amazing bakery on your right, delicious produce and fruit on your left. Keep going and you walk into a deli. There's fresh pasta. There's cheese. Theres olive oils. There's a whole takeout counter. There's coffee. It's simply spectacular. Today was national cannoli day so I decided to stop in to celebrate. They fill the shell with whatever you want and I choose chocolate and vanilla. I also decided to grab dinner to heat later. Got a pasta fagioli soup, Caesar salad, spaghetti and meatball platter and a pasta with bolognese sauce. The cannoli was delicious. The Caesar salad was very good thanks to their tasty homemade dressing. Spaghetti was excellent and the veal meatballs were okay. Bolognese sauce was good. The pasta fagioli soup was okay. Not bad. Nowhere near as good as the best version I've ever had from Georgettis Pasta and Sauce in Cinnaminson NJ (the best homemade soup lineup anywhere as well as a stellar store in its own right). There are so many things to try there at Carlinos that a return visit will not be far off in the future. Simply....This store rocks.
(4)Rachel K.
As a total kitchen junkie, I seriously cannot believe I didn't discover this place on my own. Fortunately, this is what fabulous friends are for! I think it's the exterior of this place that keeps it a well-hidden secret. You'd never know from a simple stroll down the block that inside is a magical factory filled with some of the most delicious foods ever. I was literally overwhelmed when I walked inside. It's like a super classy dinner party that has come to life! There is a gigantic assortment of cheese, cuts of meat, bread, produce, pasta, seafood, and everything in between. The prices are steep but it is highly worth it if you are looking for quality. I would never replace my usual grocery shopping with a trip here, but it is perfect for stocking up on a few indulgent items!! The deli is incredible, don't miss out. I ordered the Rosemary Ham Panini with Fig Spread--seriously to die for. I can't wait for my next return trip to this little piece of foodie heaven.
(5)Samantha M.
Carlino's is just amazing. This place has been around forever, I remember going here with my mom to get stuff for dinner when we lived down the street, which was like 15+ years ago. It's a gourmet Italian market, it is definitely not cheap, but anything you get here will be amazing. Homemade pasta, cheeses, tomato pie, prepared meals, desserts. I have even ordered gift baskets from here before. Carlino's is also an inexpensive lunch option if you want to just grab a sandwich and eat outside. My fiance and I recently split a pulled bbq chicken sandwich for only 6.99! It was delicious and more than enough for the both of us. Employees are friendly and helpful.
(5)Alex H.
Ok so it's expensive but it's like they have 30 Italian grandmas whipping all this good stuff up! Lots and lots of specialty choices and thus far it has all been great!
(5)Paul K.
Wow. Just f#cking wow.
(5)L K.
A thousand words will not do justice to what I saw today! Picture it: a ROOM just for OILVE OIL tasting. Just devoted to the many infusions one may add to fine quality olive oil, with TASTING! Flavors included: White truffles, black truffles, garlic, lemon, lime, lavender, blood orange, you-name-it! Carlino's does not mess around! (I have to admit, I knew we were in for something good when I saw their website with pages of options, just for olive oil.) The woman who helped us with the olive oil was so sweet! I could have hugged her she was so caring and thoughtful! She explained one has to "chew" the oil to taste it, and she gave us their standard and extra-virgin in nice little tasting cups. She gave the specific name of the canisters they are in, but I promptly forgot it in my excitement. Anyway, she was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. She really cared about our experience, and about matching us with our dream olive oil. Mission accomplished! And you can do tasting on balsamic too. We were so overwhelmed with the set-up we got dizzy with excitement, and forgot to do the balsamic. I have been looking for good olive oil for so long... I just wanted to cry with relief. Seriously. They have all kinds of French (and other) cheeses, a full butcher set-up, a full patisserie, boulangerie, gelato parlor, fine grocery goods, specialty pastas, homemade soups, sauces, all refrigerated or frozen. Of course gourmet olives, roasted peppers, tapenades, etc. The whole nine. Also fresh, hot or cold deli and Italian foods of all kinds. On and on. We hit a spending limit and had to stop, but prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality. We will be back! This time we got two big jars of olives $4.79 each, for REALLY good quality olives (Kalamata, and big green olives with seeds still inside). They were delicious. We'd gotten the "specialty" green olives in a little plastic deli carton (about 8 of them) for $6 at nearby Tori's Butcher Shop, and those were awful... I could taste Lye, I swear. Anyway, they looked good at Tori's but were a HUGE waste of money and pain on my tastebuds. Carlino's redeemed me from that experience with the exact taste you want from a good antipasti green olive, and three times the product at a LOWER price. Thank you, Carlino's. We got the Italian baguette, which was delicious! It was so good, especially with the Carlino's garlic olive oil we bought, and a little sea salt from home. Absolutely wonderful bread... hubs and I split a baguette and the entire thing was gone in an afternoon of snacking. The olive oil is amazing. Very very good. It is like glowing neon green, and super clear, and tastes like heaven. YUM! I cannot say enough about the olive oil. The Angus burger meat was $3.99/lb which is on par with Acme prices, but is sure better than Acme quality. I have even had Acme grind up chuck steak when it is on sale (they will grind it for free) and that was decent Acme burger, but the lowest the chuck gets is $3.99/lb, and for the same price, Carlino's will give you Angus any time. We tried Carlino's on a recommendation from a non-Yelping friend, but the Yelp ratings here are right on! My one snark is that the young girl at the register was not very friendly. We were so happy from our entire experience, that when we got to her we were expecting it not to end. She was blah and talking to another employee about some blonde who just passed by the window outside. Hello? Paying customers here. I ignored it, not wanting to ruin my olive oil buzz, and gave an excited "Thank you!" when she finished taking our payment... and then? She gave me a dirty look. WHY? Seriously, girl? Carlino's was great, and anyone there over 30 was wonderful, but that girl, YUK! Go away! Hope I get someone else at the reg next time.
(5)Jaclyn W.
I literally dream about this place. The food is great, especially the prosciutto and the tortellini pasta salad. Hoagies are delicious! The bread is super fresh. I had the hoagie with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, pesto, and sundried tomatoes. Was a little heavy on the olive oil, but I really enjoyed it and I would order this again.
(5)Judith H.
This Italian grocery store does a lot right but the take out hot sandwich department is inconsistent at best. I ordered 2 Luigi steaks yesterday and I actually think it was made with sliced roast beef not steak with thick cut, undercooked red peppers and onions. Inedible and since this has happened before and was addressed I no longer see them as an option when we are craving a good hot sandwich. The one star is for this department.
(1)Bill M.
Long before Dibruno Bros and traversing through the offerings at spots like the Italian Market and Reading Terminal, Carlino's was what i knew for market based Italian cuisine that tasted like it was prepared by someones Nonna. But moving to the city and sampling all that it has had to offer has led for me to forget about such suburban treasures for awhile. But when I walked by them one afternoon that memory rekindled to the point that I had to go back and savor some treats from their impressive cheese selection. I give a four for now because the cheese stood alone in my visit, and because like most specialty markets Carlino's can be a touch on the expensive side. But they've been delivering homemade Italian goods and awesome grocery items for well over 20 years. And whether its prepared foods, desserts, a fully stocked coffee bar, plenty of sandwiches, catering a big event and then some; they have you covered. An expert cheese monger like me came across plenty of the cheeses he expected. But I was also impressed and tempted to throwdown on the vast variety that I haven't seen before. But keeping on a good budget I walked away with a sharp and tasty aged Welsh cheddar, the unexpected smokiness and tea flavor of Bellevitano Chai, a tasty soft cheese that blended sheep and goat milk whose name I wish I could remember, and an amazingly rich sheeps milk brie that proved to be a revelation. If that's a proper sample of what I can find in just one section of its vast market spacce, then I look forward to experiencing more!
(4)Mike D.
I could spend hours in this place. They have a plethora of prepared options which are perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. They have an entire room of olive oils and an expansive cheese selection. The prices are high but you are paying for quality special foods. The pizza Stuffed portobellos mushrooms Sun dried tomato and chicken lasagne
(5)Ken E.
If you have not been here, you are really missing out on a real gem. I have only recently moved to this area and only have been to Carlino's once; but I will become a regular. I've been missing a place like this since I moved away from NYC (the Bronx and Brooklyn) . After two years in Northern Virginia, it is so good to be back in civilization, again.
(5)Callan W.
What is Italian for awesome? No, it isn't fantastico Google translator. It is Carlino's. Momma Carlino and family have brought good eating to Ardmore in the form of all things Italian. My personal fav is their margherita pie, with hunks of mozz over a perfect sauce. It is definitely one of their best and also more reasonable. They have other good pies too, but I stick with the classics. They also have a solid deli, where they can make you a sandwich or you can buy the ingredients and make it yourself. Sometimes I don't want to cook, but I want a home cooked meal. I find myself at the prepared food counter with many hard decisions. Do I go healthy with their grilled salmon? Do I go fat kid and get Momma Carlino's lasagna, which is a delicious brick (there is no better way to describe it) of cheese and deliciousness in a blush sauce. There are so many options. I grab a black and white cookie on the way out and run home to enjoy.
(4)David S.
Crazy, crazy, crazy overpriced. This is a reoccurring theme on the mainline. If a business can do something well, overcharge for your service and rip people off. There are so few decent options from Bala to Ardmore that if a consumer doesn't feel like driving 45 minutes for edible, reasonable priced Italian food, you go to Carlino's. Yes the food is good. Yes the selection is wonderful. But I have a challenge for you. Go in to Carlino's, buy dinner for two, and try and stay under $35. This $35 is for food you have to cook when you get home. This isn't made to order, fresh italian food. This is mass produced food, made in the AM, that you take home and reheat. If there was even one good, reasonable, Italian restaurant in the area, Carlino's would be out of the dinner business in a year. But there is not a good Italian restaurant, so I will go back again next week and I will feel angry again next week.
(3)Cara S.
This is the best tomato pie in the universe. I hate tomato pie normally but this is the exception. The sauce is tart and fresh tasting, with a little crunch from celery and a little spice. I could eat this all day long.
(5)Josephine R.
Excellent food .Can't go in there for one item. I think I might have to visit once a week. The best.
(5)Charlene D.
My sister picked up some already made foods from here and they were superb! The eggplant lasagna is the best thing that I have ever tasted. We also at the chicken parm and chicken piccata, were were also delicious. I would definitely try this place out.
(5)Justin M.
I love the antipasta but they raised the price by $5. 2 weeks ago it was $12.99, this week it's $17.99!?!?!? Almost everything in the store is outrageously priced.
(1)Vanessa W.
Five stars. Yup, I said it. This place is "as good as it gets". It is unbelievable how much gorgeous, high-quality food they have here. There is fresh produce, fresh and frozen homemade pastas and sauces, ready-to-heat pasta meals, lasagna, veal parm... there's a delectable pastry case, rows of cold deli salads, more rows of baked salmon, wings, etc. A bread counter with many types of bread including some delicious semolina loaves. A pizza station with piles of creative pies. This place seriously has it all. They sell coffee and a range of espresso drinks--my latte was delish! Pizza by the slice is a great deal. It comes out to about $4/slice, but the slices are as large as a personal pizza, and the ingredients are high-quality and bursting with fresh flavor. The tomato pie is great! It's true that the prices overall tend to be "up there" but it is still slightly cheaper than another certain local chain of Italian specialty food stores that starts with a "D".... And yes, certain items, like the pizza, are actually an insanely good deal. The staff were friendly and when I mentioned to one lady who worked there that this was my first time in the store she was very sweet and welcoming. It is on a quiet street and there is ample parking in back, so it's not too tough to get in and out of here.
(5)Eric C.
Carlino's is the truth! The hoagies put others sandwich shops to shame and the prepared stuff looks incredeible. The pizza, pasta salads, bakery-seriously, go here. I cannot get enough of this place.
(5)Jaime Lyn C.
Highlights: Pizza=YES! Potato Salad= The best in the area. And believe me, I am picky when it comes to PS. Dill Salad= Simple and delicious. Carlino's Lasagna= Rose sauce, chicken, blue cheese.....OMG! So good but probably SO not healthy! Tuna Salad, Egg Salad and Chx Salad= All fresh and good quality This is a normal weekend stop for us to pick up a few things. Staff super nice and helpful.
(5)Steve S.
This might tip a few people off, but if you read one of my other reviews of another Philly area bakery, you might have seen how I wrote about a contest my co-workers and I had recently to find the best tomato pie in the area. Three of us brought in tomato pies from three different bakeries to judge (my team has a thing for tomato pie... we go nuts for it). Carlino's was one of these three bakeries. One of our co-workers raved about this place and decided he would bring them in for the challenge. I believe the owners of Carlino's would like to know that they won the contest. And they had very tough competition to boot. The pies they beat were from some very well known places. But out of 32 people who tasted the pies, 19 thought this place was the best. Not too shabby! Now, they didn't win everyone's vote who tasted them. But, everyone who tasted them were still very impressed with them. Carlino's uses a much chunkier tomato sauce than you would usually see on a tomato pie, which usually uses a pastier sauce. That seemed to win a lot of votes as people thought it just tasted fresher. I do agree. It was an excellent pie. I would go there to try other things based on the tomato pie alone.
(4)Paul M.
I remember Carlino's from when I was a kid. I could walk there from my house, although the one-mile walk certainly felt a lot longer when my legs were a lot shorter. The store was a lot smaller back then--it's swallowed up some of its neighbors. But I distinctly remember that the Italian hoagies were really good. Fast forward a decade later and I'm visiting relatives for a milestone birthday. They decide to get a 12-foot Italian hoagie from Carlino's. It's every bit as good as I remember. The prosciutto melts in your mouth. The provolone is just perfectly sharp. The capicola is spicy and makes your mouth tingle. The roll is everything you'd expect from a hoagie done right. To me, Carlino's makes the perfect Philadelphia sandwich.
(5)Clara O.
From the first time I stepped into Carillon's I felt in love with it. The variety of food, friendliness and customer service was outstanding. So I decided to have a luncheon carter and the experience was amazing from start to finish. Ordering was a breeze with the knowledge that your carting dept. have on the variety of food you offer. They helped me make great choices for my group and promised to be there on time. The food was deliver by an amazing polite young man and the food was fresh and delicious. I recommend this place to everyone and I will be visiting more often and definitely will use Carlino's for my next function. Thank you to all your staff!!!!!!!! CLARA
(5)Craig D.
(4) ~ Overall Food & Service = very good "Old Style" Italian Market. SOME OF OUR FAVS: * Brie & Fig Pizza = (4) very good * Roasted Potatoes = (4) very good * Fresh Cantaloupe = (4) very good * Yellow Watermelon = (4) very good * Bundaberg Rootbeer = (4) very good NOTE: Yes they take Credit Cards:)
(4)Tom R.
I love this place. They have a great selection of homemade pastas, meats, cheeses and breads. The staff is helpful and knowledgable. Beware of the garlic knots, they are DELICIOUS and you'll eat them all before you get home. My only complaint is that I always end up buying more than I intended to.
(5)Jennifer B.
THE PLACE TO GO FOR SPECIALTY ITALIAN FOOD! If you've never been and you're from the are you should really go and take an hour or two to look around. What they sell: My fave, homemade pasta's (fresh), great produce, specialty cheese, sausage, bread, hot food to go, great pasta salads, deserts to die for, made to order cannoli's and everything else under the sun. I have had several pasta salads from them and they are all fabulous. Tirimisu for the heavens - and what a slice! My all time favorite had to be their Bourbon Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding - something they didn't make all the time but absolutely rich and decadent, with the taste of bourbon running throughout. This is a neighborhood cornerstone and should be known to everyone for their excellent quality products. I agree with most everyone else, the prices can be high, but you get great product for the price (very gourmet)!
(4)Lesley R.
love love love love. too expensive for me, I usually just go with my dad for lunch!
(5)tony m.
Some thirty years ago there was only one place that I could find semolina flour for use in making fresh pasta. That place was Carlino's in Ardmore. In those days, the shop was small, white and for the most part rather bare. But in addition to selling a few special Italian ingredients like semolina, they made real egg pasta. For me, at the time, it was the greatest find. You have to remember that in those days there was no Suburban Square Farmer's Market, no Whole Foods, and no notion of finely prepared foods. The closest you might get to Italian delicacies was a hoagie at The Silver Slicer on Lancaster Pike or spaghetti and clams at Rittenhouse Deli. Then things began to change. Slowly and almost imperceptibly there was a food awakening. The clarion was sounded by the Carlino family. Now, the shop was more alive, more colorful. There were stuffed artichokes, baccalà , olives of every kind and other delicacies. Carlino's became the food Florence of Italian foods on the Main Line. People came from miles around to experience their creations. On holidays, the crowds were such that a Lower Merion police officer directed traffic into their parking lot. Then, about two years ago, Carlino's blossomed into the full flowered gourmet Italian food emporium that now delights eye and nose and tongue. Enter the shop and immediately to your right a shiny glass counter sparkles with the most enticing Italian pastries. Just beyond the pastries long rayon of fresh salads, cold appetizers and imported salumi bring Italy to America. At the cheese counter two very well informed women help with your selection of just the right cheese from an extensive assortment. For breads, Carlino's has no rival. The varieties of bread are exceeded only by the depth of their tastes and textures. The last row of Carlino's counters parades you before an irresistible variety of dinner preparations. The menu behind the glass of this final richly colorful counter surpasses any number of the best Philadelphia restaurants. And if you are looking for real Italian American home style pizza, you can do no better than Carlino's tomato pies. In the old days, Angela "Mama" Carlino was the matriarch of the family. Her recipes set the mark. Some years ago, before her passing, I recorded her kitchen work in a proposed television pilot. cometomyhouse.tv . Today, her grand-daughter sets the contemporary kitchen styles. Carlino's is not just a Main Line treasure but a guardian of the Italian American kitchen.
(5)Marissa B.
Haven't been here in years as my cousin only worked here while attending Harcum, but, I do recall great salads. Especially the pasta salad.
(5)Andrew F.
Amazing quality foods. Extensive variety of prepared foods and deserts and specialty ingredients. Nice olive oil selection, great pasta, and incredible fresh cannolis. Quite good!
(5)Steven B.
If you are looking to save a nickel, or a dime, or a dollar, you are in the wrong place. This is a shop with gourmet quality foods at gourmet prices. You need to have that expectation when you walk in the door. Now that we have the price out of the way this is an amazing place. Amazing pastas. Amazing cheese selection. Amazing specialty meats. Amazing prepared foods. If you need to serve a great meal and don't want to cook, this is the place to grab what you need. It's tucked away on a side road in Ardmore but it's easy to get to from either Route 30 (Lancaster Ave.) or Wynnewood Road.
(4)John P.
Ive been going here since I was a kid and my mom used to buy a lot of the prepared foods and some other items here as well. It used to be a lot smaller but they have expanded and it is awesome. They make some awesome frozen fresh pastas and their prepared food section is never a let down. I could go in there and get one of everything and stock up my fridge. Definitely worth wild.
(5)Erik B.
Everyone on Yelp has said all that there is to say about Carlino's, but I have one important thing to add. Besides the great sides you can swoop for a party, the solid slices of pizza, or enormous cheese selection....the best thing about Carlino's is their Pork sandwich. You must try the Uncle Franks Pride....it is better than John's Roast Pork or DiNic's roast pork which I thought WERE the best pork sandwiches in the Philadelphia area. Try one and let us know if you agree?
(5)Blake F.
:: read my previous review :: nearly two years later, dibruno bros now has a location in ardmore. and ya know what, i'm still a carlino's gal.
(5)Med D.
I don't know why but on all 3 times I went there the ladies were rude to me... I'm not going to spend my $$$ in there ever again :-( it's sad. I like to support local businesses, but enough is enough!!!
(1)Sandra W.
Growing up in South Philly, a place like this in the burbs is awesome. Makes me feel home. Great food and more reasonably priced then I anticipated. THEY HAVE A ENTIRE SECTION DEVOTED TO OILS. Awesome. They sample one for dipping each day with their fresh bread. If you live in the area, just go. You'll be happy you did.
(5)Harrison E.
Having only been here once and from New York City, I can honestly say the sandwiches are delicious---they do not skimp on meat or cheese, they're packed thick and filled with flavor! A wide variety of different meats, sauces, cheeses, breads. The attentive services from the staff was very welcome. Dried fruits, nuts, and a variety of gourmet prepackaged items, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen delicacies. Highly recommended.
(4)Ardmore G.
Best local source for prepared food. There is absolutely nothing here that isn't terrific, and the fact that it's a family business is a tremendous bonus. I am a big fan of the spinach & ricotta pizza, and the farfalle with sundried tomatoes. The desserts are amazing too - everything from cheesecake and pies to cookies, cupcakes and cakepops. And what other local business would have a food tour of Italy? Carlino's is an amazing place.
(5)Valerie S.
Carlino's is awesome!!! Their gorgeous desserts are to die for and they have so many fresh salads to choose from that it's hard to make a decision. Their Lemon Farfalle Salad is one of their most popular salads and I get it every time I go... Full of arugula, shredded parmesan, and lemon zest... Yummm!!! And I also love their Abruzzi Cabbage Salad - sorta like coleslaw but with fresh basil and shredded parmesan it it... Sounds strange, but it works! They have a ton of stuff to choose from, from their homemade pastas and dinner items to the antipasti bar and the olive oil/vinegar tasting area. They have a huge selection of cheeses to choose from and they always have one out for sampling with one of their vinegars. They also usually have samples of various crackers, breads, cookies, dips/spreads and olive oils for you to try. The staff and service are always great. Carlino's is a can't miss kind of place. I have never had a bad trip to Carlino's so I highly recommend it!
(5)Jen P.
Yummy yummy yummy. So nice to have this lovely establishment in my backyard. Lots of great prepared food, gourmet items, etc. It is pricey, however, which is why I don't do my weekly grocery shopping here; we just stop in for special treats. And we do order here quite a bit for parties. The tomato pie is top-notch. Everyone that works at Carlino's is very friendly. You should visit!
(5)Flavia C.
One of my favorite places for take out. It is a bit pricy but not for what it is. The stuffed shells and all the pastas are great! The salads are fresh and delicious. It is a great place to go if you want to host a dinner for either yourself and group and want some help so you don't have to cook! There are tons of lovely items to make your cooking at home wonderful as well. Cheeses and meats are top notch!
(4)Lisa Q.
(EDIT: This review is concerning the Carlino's in West Chester) My local gourmet joint puts others to shame. I couldn't imagine my life without Carlino's. I live literally around the corner, and part of my daily ritual includes a stop. Sometimes two or three, although I'm ashamed enough to wait until the majority of the staff changes shift. They know me and my eatin' habits so well that my preferred loaf of delicious, fresh baked bread is in the bag and delivered with a wink the moment I walk up to the counter. I am addicted to their Italian bread. And to their fresh-squeezed orange juice. I am addicted to their pastries, tomato pie, red velvet cupcakes...really, everything. And the CHEEEESE selection is to DIE for. Another 5-star plus: the staff is fantastic. All friendly, gregarious people who love food and know what to do with it. As mentioned in other reviews, be prepared to drop a pretty penny, but your stomach will thank you for it.
(5)Michael B.
This place is the jam. Because I'm not close by, Carlino's will be a rare treat for me. But the sandwiches are just as awesome as described. Last week, I tried the Big Louie (roast pork, sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, and long hots) and it was out-of-control good. The tender, moist pork balanced perfectly with the bitter of the greens. The provolone is melted by the meat so that when you pull apart the halves of the sandwich, you get these beautiful, gooey cheese strands. The bread was the exactly what it needed to be: strong enough to maintain under the weight of a huge, not-quite-dripping-but-definitely-super-moist cylinder of hot pork, but delicate enough to not distract. Aside from the sandwiches, Carlino's has a huge selection of prepared foods, pizza, sauces, and all the typical deli fare. I was happy to pick up a bag of Blair's Habanero kettle chips, which I don't really see very often. So add Carlino's to the list beside John's and DiNic's. It's worth the drive to Ardmore.
(4)Pamela G.
Carlino's is very customer-service oriented and has a huge selection of delicacies from prepared salads to cheeses to sandwiches to gourmet delights to breads to oils and pastas and vinegars. I'm a huge fan of their lasagna (pricey but enough for two or even three), breads (as good as Sarcone's), chicken tortellini salad, hoagies, tomato pie and cheeses. They carry a wonderful cream of balsamic that I've bought for so many people I've lost count. Deserts are marvelous too. Closed on Monday. Don't go close to 6:00 - their doors close at 6 - no ifs ands or buts. ***** Whoa. If you haven't been to Carlino's since they upgraded, do yourself a favor and go now. The store is (or seems to be) almost twice the size! Fabulous selection of oils and flavored balsamics. Lots of sampling. An enjoyable store to actually BE IN now. These folks know customer service. Sign up for their emails -- you won't be sorry!
(5)Lydia H.
Carlino's is the mecca of Italian specialty foods on the Main Line. I love it. It's located in a completely residential neighborhood, and it's definitely not a place that you would stumble across in your travels (unless you were really, really lost). They have absolutely everything from roasted red peppers to antipasto dishes to their own homemade Gelato (although I wouldn't recommend pistachio here - get amaretto or vanilla). The only reason they don't get 5 stars in my book is the limited parking and the high prices. I picked up an Italian cookie tray for a party once that was $60! They definitely charge a premium, but their quality backs it up.
(4)Ken H.
It took me awhile to stumble upon Carlino's, but now that I have, I feel like my eyes have been opened to an institution that everyone else but me knew about. We've been back a dozen times - and everything we have gotten has been fantastic - from the freshly made sandwiches, to the best tomato pie & margherita pie I've ever had, to prepared foods that we've served at dinner parties, to the best sfogliatelle around. You really can't go wrong with anything they sell. I have to take off one star for the prices - it is very pricey - I always seem to do a double take when they ring me up at the register. Even the tomato pie gets expensive, as they price it by the pound, not the slice. But... I will continue to go back often, as the food really is that good.
(4)James C.
If your looking specialty Italian food this is the place to go. I just found out about this place a few days ago, when I was out on a quest to find some pancetta for a carbonara dish I was making. I went to another deli and they recommend I go to this place. I did not know that they had this kind of food market around this area. I just went in to buy the pancetta so I barely did any browsing but everything here looks fantastic. Next time when I have the time I am gonna go and explore, and try their sandwiches. Can't wait to go back
(5)waltzing m.
Parking is so bad during the holidays they hire police officers to direct traffic and the store itself is so crowded you can't move - its VERY expensive - $18 per pound for lasgana - the desserts are brought in as is the hummus and dips etc... the bread they make is made in-house and its good
(3)andy t.
The pepperoni rolls from Carlino's are AWESOME. Every time my uncle and aunt visit from the City of Brotherly Love, they bring us a few loaves. Way tasty.
(4)Scott F.
It doesn't matter if you're going grocery shopping or just looking to pick up lunch/dinner, this is the place for quality Italian specialty food! I usually don't do much shopping here and keep my visits to just picking up a roast pork sandwich or Italian hoagie, but when I do go for some meats, cheeses and pastas.... I'm always well fed for the days following. Since it is a specialty shop you will end up spending a decent amount more on their items, but you are definitely getting the added quality that justifies those prices. I wish I could shop her on a regular basis, but for now I'll enjoy my lunches when I find my way through their doors.
(4)Michael H.
Awesome prepared foods and catering! So, so good. You have got to try their soups. I get excited thinking about it, and really, how good does it have to be for someone to actually get excited about soup. Okay, now I'm hungry.
(5)Martha M.
Having a party and need some tasty desserts? Don't have time to make dinner? Just want to grab some great Italian food for lunch? Need fresh fruits and veggies? Have a craving for homemade pizza? Carlino's has it all...chicken, homemade pasta, sausage, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olives, mouth watering desserts, cannolis, pizza, sauces and gravies...mmmmmm Sound a little good to be true? Well it is...the three downsides to Carlino's: 1. A little pricey. 2. Hours are not extensive. 3. Parking is limited.
(3)George B.
Great place to find all kinds of authentic Italian delicacies. Different types of provolone cheeses and prosciutto at the deli, fresh rolls and breads, all kinds of things that make it a fun store to get lost in.
(5)Catherine N.
I know people rave about this place, but I don't get it. I live a few blocks away and when I first moved to the area I tried Carlino's several times. At best, the food is okay--but pricey. The pesto I tried was oily and had no flavor. Then i bought green tea ice cream--okay I was asking for it--and it was terrible. I threw it away. I avoid the place now. I prefer to go to a tiny Italian deli that has better quality food at lower prices. Sorry, Carlino fans.
(2)Matt B.
You're going to pay a little more for quality. Now that you're prepared, go visit this gem of a gourmet store and drop some coin on homemade pasta, sauce, meats and pastries. I live around the corner and love stopping in to pick up lunch or a prepared meal for dinner. As a cook who loves how quick and simple Italian meals can be, Carlino's has a fabulous selection of cooking ingredients. If you visit on a weekend, be patient, relax and take it all in. It gets packed.
(4)Kelly G.
I gave Carlino's 3 stars not for selection and food quality (both superb) but for customer service and price. I ordered a mac & cheese tray for a party the same size as the one I was going to buy at Whole Foods, and it came to over $70 vs. the Whole Foods tray at $35. I also picked up a package of 8 cookies for $12!! I should have checked the price before I hit the checkout, but you live and learn. When I ordered the tray over the phone, the woman asked if I wanted it hot or cold when I picked it up. I said hot and she repeated that back to me. When I picked it up it was ice cold. I explained it should have come hot as I was headed right to the party, they offered to throw it in the oven for me. I was already running late, so that didn't work for me (plus they were 10 min. from closing). I expected a discount or something for getting the order wrong, but instead I got nothing - not even an apology.
(3)Craig B.
I moved into Ardmore last May, and drove past Carlino's weekly before finally stopping in late July. As soon as I stepped inside, I realized what a huge mistake I had made not coming sooner. Carlino's has everything a small italian grocery store should have, plus more. And the best part? Absolutely everything in the store is delicious. Their tomato pie is the best I've ever had. The garlic knots are absolutely amazing (and sometimes they have free samples!). The sandwiches are killer... and not that expensive. I really could go on like this about everything they sell, but I'd run out of adjectives. I think I've visited Carlino's about twice a week since July, and simply typing this review makes me want to go again. There's only a couple caveats. It is relatively expensive, but at least in this case you get what you pay for. Also, the hours are kind of limited (9-6 most days, 9-3 Sundays, closed Monday). I embarrassed to say that many times I've made the short drive there on a Monday, only to turn back hungry. And one time, inexplicably, their computer system lost track of the balance of my gift card (but they gave me a new card for the full amount). Honestly though, these are just small quibbles in an otherwise otherworldly culinary delight.
(5)matthew l.
Watching Carlino's grow from a single storefront selling their home made pasta, some olive oil and a couple of cheeses into the Balducci like specialty center it has become shows what a family with a vision can do. Vision and an unspeakable amount of hard work. And given a choice between DiBruno's, great store, and Carlino's at this point there is no reason why I would have to travel downtown. That couldn't have been said a year ago, but not a month goes by that the Carlino's don't make their store better. Unique items that you need to buy here; their tomato pie, their egg white pasta, their house made extruded pastas, their house recipe chicken wings, liver sausage, one of their growing list of seldom seen Italian cheeses, their sfogliatelle and their breads. Their salumi selection is outstanding with the "wet" soppresata a treat rarely seen outside of southern Italy,and their prosciutto cotta the best versions of the "boiled ham" most of us had for school lunch you are likely to find. Like DiBruno's it is a store that feels good but in a less glitzy way. Go there for one item and leave with ten. The mark of a great store. New store in West Chester bigger and busy from opening day as many of the Ardmore regulars are Chester County people. I don't miss a Saturday. I love this store!
(5)