I grew up in New Jersey and as a kid I thought Italian food was the only thing served for dinner at restaurants. Sometimes we got steak or seafood, but usually not.  Anyway, I grew up eating a lot of Italian food in family owned restaurants and Mona Lisa’s in Little Italy makes me homesick.

My husband and I heard the deli is the best part of Mona Lisa’s, but when we got there, the smell of lasagna from the restaurant side of the building distracted us. We walked right past the deli counter and sat down for dinner.

We felt at home surrounded by wood panel walls, vinyl table cloths, little red candles, and placemats with a maps of Italy on them. Then we ordered garlic bread and a half carafe (Ok - It was actually a full carafe but we didn’t finish it) of house wine and I felt even better.

Frank Sinatra, the Three Tenors, and some Italian pop music played on the stereo and a big family was yelling at/to each other at the next table in a mix of Italian and English.

I guess my husband didn’t hear me order, so when my dinner came he said, “You ordered a meatball sub?” like it was a bad thing. He’s right. I’m writing a food review for you. I should have asked what their most popular dish was, or ordered a special, or at least had the lasagna which  was the reason we were in the dining room in the first place. I could have gotten a lot of other things. But I didn’t. I got a meatball sub. I loved it. I’m sorry.

After dinner we trolled the aisles of the deli where I can assure you I’ll be having lunch soon. They sell huge tins of olive oil that I couldn’t possibly use but I want. They have Everything you need to cook Real Italian food: a dozen types of pasta and lots of olives, meats, cheeses, and wine you won’t find at the grocery store.

As we were leaving, “New York, New York” started playing and the guy behind the deli counter shouted to his friend at the other register, “If you can make it in New York, Robert, you can make it in San Diego!” Robert didn’t really understand and said that he had never been to New York.

Try Mona Lisa’s deli for authentic Italian cold cuts  and their impressive selection of other delicacies (like Italian cookies and bins of dried fish). Their restaurant is where to go for hearty Italian classic dishes, including a very delicious meatball sub.