Eastside Deli_rs

In 2019, Eastside Italian Deli located on Alpine Street in the Victor Heights’ neighborhood of Los Angeles celebrated its 90th anniversary. Its story predates the building, when Puglia-born Domenic Pontrelli opened Eastside Market, his first retail meat market in Lincoln Heights, named after nearby Eastside Brewery. By 1929, the business outgrew its facility. Pontrelli and Joe Campagna moved the business to a larger location, where it remains today.

Meats, cheeses, vegetables, and pasta could be found at Eastside Market, a neighborhood anchor in what was once part of L.A.’s thriving Little Italy. As the community grew, so did the business. Pontrelli’s son-in-law opened Pontrelli & Laricchia Sausage Company inside the market by the 1930s.

As grocery stores became more dominant and customers’ food preferences started to shift to fast food and food-to-go, the owners reorganized the market around a new deli counter. “I brought in the hot food with a little stove with one burner, then two burners, then an oven,” said Johnny Angiuli, who purchased Eastside Market with his brother Frank in 1974, after having worked at the market for many years.

Today the business is run by Angiuli's sons, Anthony, Rocco and Vito. The quality of food and affordability has broadened their loyal customer base, which includes City Hall employees, construction workers, police officers, and residents alike.