Some neighborhoods wear their identity in the streets. In Boston’s North End, you smell it first — garlic, fresh bread, slow-cooked sauce drifting through narrow alleyways before you’ve even decided where to eat. This is a neighborhood that has always taken food personally, and after more than a century of Italian-American tradition, it shows no signs of slowing down. Tucked just off Hanover Street, our salumeria & pasta shop has quietly become one of its most beloved stops in the neighborhood. Here’s why:

We’re One of the Only Salumerias in Boston

In Italy, the salumeria is a fixture of daily life: a place where locals stop each morning for cured meats and cheeses, where the shopkeeper knows your name, and where the quality of what’s on offer reflects generations of expertise. Our owner, Frank DePasquale, brought that same sensibility to Board Alley, building a shop that felt less like a business and more like a continuation of a family tradition that never really stopped. Over time, our salumeria grew into exactly that kind of neighborhood anchor. Regulars came first for the sandwiches, then stayed for the hand-made pasta, the imported olive oils, the aged cheeses, and the rotating selection of pantry staples that you simply can’t find elsewhere in Boston.

Our Sandwiches are a Taste of Italy

Our sandwich menu is a love letter to Italian tradition, with just enough innovation to keep customers coming back. What ties all of our sandwiches together is a shared commitment to quality: fresh mozzarella made in-house, imported meats and cheeses, and produce chosen with care. It’s this attention to detail, paired with a willingness to experiment with unexpected pairings like fig jam or crushed pistachios, that keeps sandwich lovers coming back to our storefront.

One of our most distinctive contributions to the North End is our focaccia sandwiches. Soft, airy, and golden at the edges, the house focaccia serves as the ideal canvas for bold Italian ingredients. Where a standard roll might compete with a filling, focaccia absorbs and amplifies it, soaking up olive oil and juices while holding its structure. Order it with porchetta, mortadella, or for our no-meat customers, get it with a rich medley of zucchini, marinated eggplant, and shaved parmigiano.

 

We’re Great for Gatherings

When it’s time to bring people together, our team can deliver far more than just a sandwich. Our catering menu is a generous spread that draws from everything our shop does best, making it an inspired choice for everything from family celebrations to corporate gatherings. Mini panini sandwiches — served by the dozen in options like the classic Italian, Chicken Parm, and Prosciutto Panino — give every guest something to reach for and remember. Ravioli trays offer a touch of elegance, from the rich Lobster Ravioli finished with cherry tomatoes and parsley, to the hearty Short Rib Ravioli with aged balsamic, to the crowd-pleasing Cheese Ravioli in San Marzano tomato sauce. Hot food trays round out the table with dishes like Homemade Meatballs & Sauce, Sausage & Broccoli Rabe, and Chicken Parmigiano — the kind of comforting, generous cooking that makes a gathering feel like a real occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dozen guests or a hundred, our catering menu makes it it easy to offer something memorable, rooted in the same Italian tradition that has defined the North End for generations.

 

Visit Bricco Salumeria in the North End Today!

Stop by our storefront in the North End today or order online.