Tenuta's Italian Delicatessen in Kenosha, WI is one of those places that I could have categorized as a "Deli/Sandwich Place" or a "Wine and Liquor Store". It is a little bit of everything.
I was first in Tenuta's a few years ago after reading about it in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. It's primarily a deli, but it also has a great selection of beer and wine, plus it has a ton of Italian specialties.
Tenuta's started in 1950 by John Tenuta and his wife, Lydia (see map). Tenuta's originally was nothing more than a malt and ice cream shop that also featured a small deli. John's son, Ralph, took over the promotion of the place and suddenly Tenuta's took off. Tenuta's has expanded many times over the years and has a large selection of wines from all over the world, as well as a large number of Italian food items.
John and Lydia Tenuta with their son, Ralph (right)
Tenuta's makes and markets a lot of their own spreads and condiments, such as their own muffaletta olive spread, giardiniera, and a hot olive/pepper spread. You can order a lot of the things they sell directly from Tenuta's by clicking here.
Tenuta's deli area is very good with tons of great Italian meats and cheeses. They make different style of panino sandwiches and also offer their own muffaletta sandwich called the Muff-a-lotta. It's good, but not as good as the original muffaletta sandwich served at the now-closed (due to Hurricane Katrina) Central Grocery in New Orleans (considering that a muffaletta is more of a French/Cajun/Creole concoction).
The Central Grocery in New Orleans before it was closed
When you walk through Tenuta's, you can kind of see where it's been sort of expanded here and there, as there isn't really any rhyme nor reason why some aisles stop and then start up again on the other side of the deli.
Tenuta's is a neat place. Check it out if you ever get up to the Kenosha area.
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