- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Di Rienzo Grocery & Deli
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
11 reviews for Di Rienzo Grocery & Deli
11 reviews in English
-
Review from Sam G.
Toronto, ON
5/25/2010 2 photos
Believe the hype. Old-school Italian grocery store serving up high quality sandwiches for $5 each.
I knew I came to a good place when I got there about 11:30 on a sunny weekday in May and there were 20 people in line. Be patient, the line moves quickly. Pick your bread and your sandwich by number. Get the eggplant and vegetables on it (your choice though). None of these extra charges for cheese here, its all included. The massive tarts and other goodies in front of the deli counter looked really good as well. Pastas and pre-made sandwiches also available at the cash.
There are only cold sandwiches listed on the menu which was too bad because they were about to go toe-to-toe with the best of Toronto (according to me, anyways).
Note - be aware there is nowhere to sit - its a grocery store - but there is a park across the street. Anyways, you can eat the sandwich as you walk although it can be (only a little) messy as you open it up. -
Review from Emily O.
Ottawa, ON
5/8/2012
Ciao Belli!
Having built a stable and committed relationship with La Botegga in the Byward Market, I was hesitant to try Di Rienzo, out of fear that it would not suffice my particular tastebuds. I finally made the trip with a few friends and have gone back a few times for their famous $5.00 sandwiches.
From the outside, and even the inside, Di Rienzo's does not look like much. In fact it even looks a little bit rundown and unclean. However, what it lacks in appearances it makes up for in culture and deliciousness!
The sandwiches are famous- so much that locals, tourists, police officers and government employees come from all over downtown to indulge. The line ups are huge, Often right out the door!
There are a variety of deli meats, cheeses and toppings to choose from and let me tell you, they are not stingy! Turkey and Swiss literally FALL off of my sandwich they are in such abundance. The sandwiches come to an even $5.00, a price that cannot be beat in comparison to the rather steep cost of the lunches usually found on Preston Street. Often, the amazing (and friendly) employees will throw in a free samosa or delicious Italian dessert on the house as well!
Di Rienzo also features ready made hot meals as well, such as lasagna (with eggplant and parmesan), ravioli or other various Italian pastas. These are perfect take away meals, and I purchased one to share on a day when I just could not muster up the motivation to cook. Pretty delicious for a little hole in the wall!
The rest of the store resembles a standard convenience store: cough drops, kraft dinner, potato chips and 2L bottles of pop adorn the walls and isle, all at typically price points.
Check out Di Rienzo's for your next lunch, you will be satisfyingly full and might find yourself talking with an Italian accent all day!
Grazie ed in gamba tutti! -
Review from Absolute B.
Ottawa, ON
4/16/2012
Yum!
Always a great sandwich and great pasta too. Stop in and get your fix on delicious fresh bread. Today was a bonus because they had their chicken parm sandwich available which is a feature sandwich and not available all the time. Grabbed two so I still have one for tomorrow. Also grabbed the meat ravioli and it was great
Service is always super fast and friendly. Best cheap eats in Ottawa
Really really great staff here. You can't go wrong -
Review from Coy W.
2/28/2012
From the outside DiRienzo's looks like a hole in the wall convenience store. On the inside...it still looks like a hole in the wall convenience store!
DiRienzo's is a perfect example of never judge a book by it's cover. It's the reason to go check out every place hoping you come across a hidden gem. The only thing is this place is a well known gem.
DiRienzo's dishes up my favourite cold cut sandwiches in Ottawa. Even though I have a fantastic option in La Bottega less than a minute from my place I prefer DiRienzo's by a slight hair. You get to choose your type of bread, and then choose what type of sandwich you want with what toppings.
Delicious, cheap and fresh!
The store also sells fresh bread, pasta, deli meat and is stocked full of pantry items. -
Review from Amanda B.
Ottawa, ON
1/6/2011 4 photos
MMMMMMMMMMMMM!!
I went to Di Rienzo's for the first time yesterday. I'm not going to lie - it took me a little while to find it. I walked down Preston but didn't know which way to turn on Beech, since it didn't look like there would be any businesses on that street. Well, I was wrong. I asked a man for directions and he pointed me up the hill, past the bridge. It's on the corner of Beech and Champagne.
I had heard about their famous sandwiches when I was in university, and I don't know why I had never been before, but after craving a tasty sandwich for about a week, I decided that it was a perfect time to mission to Di Rienzo's. I knew I wanted a sandwich, so I didn't even really bother to look around at their other grocery, deli meats and cheeses, and breads. It was pretty busy, with people constantly walking in and out. There were over 20 different sandwiches, so I stood there for awhile, not knowing what to order. The lady and man working at the front were extremely sweet and very patient with me. She asked me if I was looking for anything in particular, and since I eat absolutely everything, she told me which ones were the most popular.
I ended up ordering #14, which came with soppressata Calabrese, extra-hot capicollo, prosciutto cotto, havarti, lettuce, and mayo. I had also heard a lot about their spicy eggplant, so I asked her to add some to my sandwich. I was so surprised at the size! It was $5 even, including the eggplant at no extra charge, and it was huge! There was only one slice of havarti, but plenty of meat and spicy eggplant. The meat wasn't very spicy, and neither was the eggplant, which was peeled, marinated, and chopped up. The sandwich was very tasty and incredibly filling, mostly because of the large and crusty bread. It was a bit of a trek for me, but well worth it. -
Review from Christian L.
Ottawa, ON
11/6/2011
Great sandwiches and a great value for money. Not a fancy place but has solid sandwiches. This place is always busy and tiny. I love it.
-
Review from Amanda D.
Ottawa, ON
10/17/2008
DiRienzo's is another Ottawa establishment that seems to have a bit of a cult status with locals. Many people deem it the best place to go in the city for a huge and delicious sandwich. Did I mention they usually cost less than $5? It's not an easy place to find since it's a couple blocks west of Preston Street, but once you find it, you'll most likely come back for more.
It's best to avoid the lunch rush if possible because line-ups go out the door in this mom and pop grocery and deli. It has a strong community vibe and the staff are very friendly despite being incredibly busy. My favourite (vegetarian) sandwich is the Il Giardino. They also serve lasagna and various delicious pastries.
If you're looking to eat right away, there's no seating in the deli, but you can sit at a picnic table at the park across the street. -
Review from Shawna C.
Ottawa, ON
8/14/2011
Best sandwiches for the price, hands downs. Fresh bread and ingredients all for 5$!! How can you go wrong. If you haven't had a chance to eat here you definitely have to try it! I eat here every Tuesday!
-
Review from Nick C.
Toronto, ON
8/9/2010
You could be a mindless franchise drone and line up for Subway or Quiznos, or you could go to Little Italy and enjoy an excellent handmade to-order sandwich, they have pasta and pastries as well.
It's actually cheaper than food court fare, so how can you lose? You could get lost trying to find the place I suppose. -
Review from Nik C.
Halifax, NS
3/24/2010
They put an addictive substance in their sandwiches that make you crave them fortnightly; and by fortnightly I mean every day. Also, grab one of their mini-pies near the checkout, they always leave me satisfied.
-
Review from Hintonburg R.
Ottawa, ON
9/3/2008 1 photo
When I crave a sandwich, there is only one place to go. Di Rienzo's - always worth the trip and always worth the wait. A little grocery store just off Little Italy's beaten path, its delicious made-to-order sandwiches are prepared with personal and friendly service. Also available are fresh (and often still warm) pasta dishes. A little park across the street is the perfect place to enjoy your Di Rienzo's masterpiece ....
