Avella's and Melilli's Italian Specialty Market and Catering and Pizzeria - Middletown, Connecticut

Food O. C.

Totally a hidden gem! Even though this spot just opened in 2022, the deli has such authentic Sicilian comfort food that it feels like it’s been here forever! They had a great variety of sandwiches to choose from, and we loved the Bada Bing! I visited with my mom, and we were basically eating with our eyes from the moment we walked in the door. We couldn’t resist grabbing a piece of their lasagna and a few garlic knots! Many of the recipes have been passed down through the owner’s family. Even though Avella’s is take-out only, there are a few good picnic spots nearby on the Connecticut River. The staff was friendly and had everything prepared quickly for us. We will absolutely be back and will be keeping them in mind for catering!

Heather A.

Delicious deli! We enjoyed our grinders. They were packed with meat and toppings! Everything else looked great and we can’t wait to come back to try some salads, desserts and other dishes. Also great service and friendly staff.

Dev R.

so went in for first time after wanting to try it from when they were at older location. That being said ya go in and tv screen menu screens are far from where ya order. so if you arent used to their menu you have to keep walking back and forth to place an order, rather annoying. Then ya stand there to place an order and all the women working are standing there talking amongst eachother about hours and the working conditions, so your stuck there waiting until they are done (or so ya thought because they kept on while you are placing your already complicated to order items because of the distance between screens and where ya order.. so ya order 2 grinders and a pepperoni pizza.. came to like close to $70 bucks.. Ya get it home. Pizza is dry and really no better than any other pizza ya find on any corner. Figured "Authentic Italian" pizza would be better. No cheese pull, no real flavor. Very greasy. Disappointed.. then ya unwrap the grinders, a chicken parm and a salami grinder.. the salami grinder had ALOT of this weird shredded dry lettuce on it, was like paper that had been put through a shredder. Salami tasted like something from Stop&Shop deli counter and ya get maybe 4 slices of cheese.. Bread is rather dry and has weird taste to it. Chicken parm, chicken was pretty dry and sauce not much flavor like the pizza. Just not at all what i expected from a supposed Authentic Italian specialty market. So I guess all I can say is I finally tried it, and wont be back. Way to expensive for what ya get. Italian food is my favorite and this definetly did not hit the spot Guess its back to New Jersey to my Italian Nona's that adopted me..
Wish yall luck in your new spot, but.. eh nothing else...

Kat S.

First time here and enjoyed the authentic Italian food. I ordered a small bacon pizza, garlic knots, bada bing sandwich , octopus and cannolis. Food was freshly prepared. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Prices were fair. Would definitely order here again. Sandwiches are huge too! This restaurant is take out only! If paying with cash you will get a small discount too!

W.E. R.

Tried the Philly Steak and it was phenomenal. Great flavor, soft but stable roll, and perfect temperature. The ingredients tasted fresh and we well put together. First time coming and I'll be sure to come back. Exceptional food, taste and service.

The place is small, almost looks like a typical deli when you walk in. But they have a VAST amount of stuff to offer, from their grinders to their pizzas and pastas. The young lady and older gentleman (Sal) were very welcoming and helped me find what I was looking to order. The hospitality was elite, and automatically makes me want to come back. I'll update with my food review. I ordered a Philly steak.

B C.

Hidden gem right in the heart of Middletown. We ordered the Bada Bing Chicken sandwich, Bacon pizza, garlic knots and grabbed some octopus and cannolis. The sandwich was very good, crispy and flavorful. The bacon pizza was just crispy enough with flavorful sauce. The garlic knots were made fresh with a very nice aromatic herbal garlic infusion. The cannolis were chocolate dipped and share size

**we did have to go back because the pizza was made without bacon and we were over charged for the garlic knots. Brought it to the owners attention but they corrected it right away. He also added the cannolis for the inconvenience. Mistake fixed right away and will definitely come back again for just that reason

denise K.

Huge Variety of specialty Italian foods! I tried large, stemmed artichoke hearts in vinegar dressing and cute lil spicy red peppers!! Both r Excellent!!!

Terisha G.

My son and I got there right before they closed on New Year's Eve. We wanted a slice of pizza. Because they were closing, they didn't have any. Then an awesome employee asked if we'd like a small pizza! They put one together and cooked it in no time. I also got some mozzarella salad. Outstandingly delicious!