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23 reviews for Italian Centre Shop South
Review Highlights
23 reviews in English
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Review from Jamie T.
11/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Been watching the Food Network channel all weekend, and needed to find some fairly uncommon ingredients. Sat down and asked myself, "where can I find this stuff?".
If you're waiting for me to tell you the answer, you should know that it was a rhetorical question.
I'm normally not terribly concerned with prices, simply because my need to find stuff outweighs my urge to save money, but I couldn't believe how cheap most of the items in this store were.
Produce section wasn't all that impressive, but there are plenty of other options for that. I was there fairly late in the day, so there wasn't much of a selection in the bakery, but I'm sure it's normally pretty impressive.
Didn't need anything from the deli, and I felt a little guilty even thinking about buying cheese, but I loved the selection for both.Listed in: Basic needs, Everyday Exotic
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Review from Kristin K.
Edmonton, AB
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love the Italian Centre! There isn't much for me to add that hasn't already been said.
They are simply divine for authentic Italian deli meats, cheeses, and treats! A great place to come and ask question about Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars if you are looking for some ideas on when to use what kinds and which price points are worth the $$$.
They have a cute little eat in bakery and sandwich shop where you can have a coffee and bite to eat to pass the time.
You can get some good deals in the produce department if you know what to look for! I wouldn't make this my one stop shop - there are lots of items I can get cheaper elsewhere but this place takes the cake for Italian specialties! -
Review from Cyndi C.
Edmonton, AB
5/24/2012
4.5 stars!! I love the selection of culinary tools they have got at Italian Centre. If you want the best home-made latte, buy a tea-press and make the foam from heated milk yourself. It makes the best foam. They also have a great selection for coffee grinds (not just your typical Starbucks and Second Cup; etc). I actually found there was not much price difference if you were to buy a pasta maker (hand-cranked one) there versus at http://Amazon.ca; both are from the same manufacturer: Marcato Atlas.
They have both imported cheeses and cheeses that they make themselves. It's a joke to go to Walmart for cheeses when you can get them fresher and cheaper here. I love making pizzas; the deli section provides endless possibilities for toppings. My favourite cheese to go on pizza is their specialty German butter cheese. The secret of making a perfect dough is to mix semola and all-purpose flour (for higher gluten content). You can go to my food blog for recipe: (http://cynniebuns.word...) They also have great selection for pizza and pasta sauces. Amazing variety for pasta! At the deli, the staff always asks me how I like the cheeses or meat to be sliced. Bonus: they provide samples if I'm not sure what my eye feasts on!
Tips on storing their meat: pat dry, transfer everything into an air tight container, so that it will last a bit longer. Also, you may need to freeze the bread if you do choose to buy bread there -- as they do not put much preservatives. If you do buy produce there, they have to be used right away. -
Review from Tomas N.
Edmonton, AB
4/16/2012
Ordered a regular coffee and chocolate croissant (yes, I'm a c&c addict!). The coffee was less than regular.. yak! The croissant however, was as usual, outstanding. Next time, will have the croissant again but order a coffee from the barista. Stay away from their regular coffee!
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Review from Jill S.
Edmonton, AB
9/13/2011
I had driven past the Italian Centre Shop for years thinking "I really have to pop in there one day."
Well, the day finally came, and I can't believe what I was missing!
What I like:
- Great bakery/coffee shop right in store
- Surprisingly cheap for a specialty store
- Fantastic deals on produce and herbs (tomatos, peppers, etc). E.g. 4 limes for $1.
- Wonderful selection of olive oils
- Gelato
- Lots of fresh cheese
The place has a friendly feel and a simple, non-confusing layout. This quickly went from a place I'd never been to a place I try to go to at least every other week. -
Review from Phil W.
8/10/2011
The Italian Centre south has become my go-to spot for all things deli.
Genoa salami, sopresetta, and porchetta highlight the meat case, and I can't get out of there without picking up Applewood smoked cheddar, piave vecchio, or provolone cheeses.
It's also a great place to pick up dry goods that you can't get at your regular grocery store. Tons of different pastas, biscotti's, and olive oils will keep you busy trying them all.
The bakery is pretty decent too, as is the cafe.Listed in: 30 day challenge
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Review from Kent M.
8/10/2011
I love shopping at the Italian Centre!
On the plus side: European imports are less expensive here than anywhere else in the city. I love the range of canned tomatoes (Italian, totally different flavour), of which there is always one brand on sale at ~$1.50. I love their aisle of olive oils (again, there's always one or two brands marked down to ~$3.50). They carry a huge array of imported pastas which have a far nicer texture and taste than the typical North American supermarket brands. Their bakery and deli are also fantastic, boasting a huge selection of euro treats and pastries, as well as great pancetta, prosciutto, etc., respectively.
As for the negatives: The store does not accept coupons, even manufacturer coupons, so that's a bit disappointing. The produce is often disappointing and a tad past its prime when I buy it here. Also, their pricing for North American items (non-imported brands) is quite high. I recommend getting your Euro imports here and going elsewhere for produce and everything else at your favourite grocery store.
All in all, this shop has a lot to offer, and I will definitely continue to make regular olive oil/pasta/tomato/European candy/pastry runs here. -
Review from Michael J.
Edmonton, AB
5/4/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I think this is my new home cafe!
A latte is $2.75, the bakery is amazing and the sandwiches are very tasty.
The cafe opens at 730am and is open until 900pm. There seems to be ample car parking but I'll look for a bike rack when the snow clears. The cafe is attached to the regular supermarket so grab some tasty delights or real pasta on your way out the door. You can gain ten pounds just window shopping!
I really miss having a good independent coffee shop nearby, but I think I've found a solution to that problem!
If I could give one tip: please get WIFI! -
Review from Pamella H.
Edmonton, AB
5/11/2011
I LOVE the Italian Centre Shop. It reminds me of shopping in Europe! I usually visit the downtown location in Little Italy, however this week I was near the south location and needes some ingredients. What I love most about this shop is the local selection. I love to buy the pita bread from Sunbake. Planet Organic carries it as well but they charge way more, so sad. The Italian shop also has the best selection of breads hands down! AND, if you are doing some exotic baking or cooking you can always rely on the shop to find ALL the ingredients you need from rose water to nuts, and pesto oh my!
I was also pleased to see a huge selection of assorted mushrooms! I can now almost phase out Save On and Superstore and soley shop at Planet Organic and the Italian Centre Shop! -
Review from Gord L.
2/12/2011
I don't shop here on a regular basis, so it always seems like a treat when I visit. They have one of the best deli's in the city, with great staff behind the counter. I like spicy foods, and they have some awesome olives stuffed with jalapenos. There's also a great selection of deli meats, including some that will knock your socks off.
Their bakery is quite good, though I usually try to steer clear of there, as I'm worried I'll walk out with one of each. I find their apple turnovers to be great, and much cheaper compared to most other bakeries in the city. I went around Christmas and had to talk myself out of all the wonderful Christmas cakes they had (one glance at the calorie count helped in that regard).
Great place to go if you want some imported foods, but the main draw for me is the wonderful deli. -
Review from santo c.
Edmonton, AB
10/6/2010
Hands down best and oldest euro deli in Edmonton. Figs, chestnuts, cold cuts,coffee, cheeses, olives, anchovies, AZZURRI paraphernalia, Italian playing cards, candies,drinks, bread, deserts coffee makers, and tradition.
Wish they used different packaging material for deli meats. It dries out fast.
Often I have seen customers trying to order new meats for the first time and not get much help from some unhappy clerks at the SOUTH SIDE location. Embarrassing and i bet those customers would spend so much more if the young clerks were more helpful and less macho.
A couple of clerks (this blonde guy with glasses and the blonde lady) posses unbelievable product knowledge, but i dont see them often enough. Honestly I cant explain why but it bothers me the way the others toss the meat around the deli case.
The cashiers are usually chewing gum, and chatting about boyfriends, i interrupted one and asked about one of the products i was buying and her jaw just dropped like I was from another planet. She just gawked and stared at me with the oddest look. The other girl realized how inappropriate her co worker was and suddenly turned on the customer service skills 110% and ran away to find someone who knew the answer.
This is a great super market..Best to go weekdays day time. Weekends are too busy.
Regardless, if you know what you need, this is the place to get the deal. My favourite purchases; 4 frozen balls of pizza dough for 3.99 , vacuum packed cooked chestnuts from Italy, prosciutto in the meat ends section. -
Review from Alouise D.
Edmonton, AB
5/4/2011 ROTD 5/22/2011
I love the Italian Centre Shop. This isn't the type of place you're gonna run to if you just need to pick up a jug of milk. The Italian Centre shop has a great bakery, and deli, as well as produce. I love the olive oil and balsamic vinegar selection the have. I always need to buy their biscotti and cannoli from the bakery. And There's a butternut squash ravioli (n the freezer section) that's delicious. That being said there are also other European foods here a well. Come during the week before noon, and bring a cart because there's a good chance it will get filled up.
Listed in: Must. Have. Caffeine., At The Stripmall
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Review from Liv V.
Edmonton, AB
8/3/2011
One of my goals in life is to try every variety of cheese carried at the Italian Centre Shop, and I've a long way yet to go... I prefer the old school ambiance of the original 95 street location, but the south side has a similarly impressive selection of deli products, fruit, coffees, baking and so forth. The chocolate aisle alone is amazing; it isn't easy finding Wawel chocolates from Poland, but the Ital. Centre Shop has them in spades. I love the selection of espresso, the cannoli from the bakery are devilishly addictive, the produce costs a fraction of what one would pay at a regular supermarket, and the staff really know their stuff. I always leave happy (and usually with some previously undiscovered cheese!).
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Review from Jenn C.
3/21/2011 ROTD 11/27/2011
I love this place. I'm more often at the downtown one than the southside, but I just had to write a review to let everyone know that they sell Argentine-style empanadas!! Having come back from an awesome trip to South America last year, I was craving all those yummy foods, including the tasty empanada, a great snack or meal... these ones come in a pack of 6, in the frozen section near the frozen stuffed pastas, made by an Albertan company and quite good. They have chicken, beef, spicy chicken, spicy beef, and ham and cheese. They even sell packages of half chicken and half beef - I bought a spicy half-half pack and a ham and cheese pack. They bake in 15-20 minutes in the oven (from frozen), puff up and get nice and golden. The spicy chicken and spicy beef are pretty good, not too too spicy but really good flavours. The ham and cheese is my favourite - lots of gooey mozzarella and little chunks of ham, and spiced with oregano - similar to a calzone but better! They are a little expense - about $17 for a 6-pack - but worth it as a treat. Now if only I could find Argentine-style chorizo sausages and make myself some choripan :)
A note - I used to be able to buy small square slabs of pancetta (located in the meat ends fridge section) but I couldn't find it this time. Does anyone know if they still sell them? -
Review from Gen E.
1/4/2011
I used to make special trips downtown to visit the original Italian Centre Shop (still in operation), so was very happy when they expanded with a second outlet on the south side!
The Italian Centre is a European-oriented grocery store with a deli that is second to none in the city. I live in London now, but when I return to Edmonton to visit family, one of my first stops is always the Italian Centre where I pick up a variety of cold cuts (the spicy capocollo is my favorite), fresh buffalo mozarella and my choice from what must be the most extensive olive bar in Edmonton. Seriously, the selection of meats and cheeses in the deli is the best I've seen.The bakery is also superb and I can't get enough of their good quality breads and portuguese custard tarts.
This isn't just another small ethnic grocery store, and in addition to the superb deli the Italian Centre features a huge selection of imported European goods running down several aisles, a full produce section, a great coffee bar, the best selection of pastas I've seen and homewares as well. The store is relatively new too, so is clean, modern and a real pleasure to shop in... parking is easy too though I guess that really isn't an issue for most places in Edmonton! -
Review from Lauren N.
11/15/2008 1 photo
I love this place! I'm probably going to gain twenty pounds on biscotti and foccacia alone, and it's not even Christmas yet. For all foods Italian, this is the place to be. We had never been here before, so we went up and down every single aisle, and I couldn't stop repeating "This place is so cool!" I was like a kid in a toy store.
The Italian Centre Shop is pretty much a grocery store, except that almost everything is Italian. They have a whole aisle of pasta, and another of baked goods like biscotti. The bakery sells fresh cookies and foccacia baked just that day, and there is an Italian cafe attached to the bakery called Spinelli's. They also have a deli and cheese counter, and some of their produce is just as cheap as Superstore's.
I wanted to get everything, as I love Italian food, but of course I had to exercise some restraint. We got some chocolate biscotti, lady finger biscuits, breadsticks, and Thomas Kemper root beer. If I wasn't so full from dinner I'd be stuffing my face with all of that right now. Rest assured, Italian Centre, I'll be back! -
Review from Joanne H.
Edmonton, AB
6/21/2011
Absolutely fantastic place to visit and buy from! They have these italian subs already made - my entire family are huge fans off! Their bakery products are melt in your mouth goodness and their prices are reasonable! Also very clean! Get there early if you're looking for the Italian subs, they sell out fast!!
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Review from Patricia M.
Edmonton, AB
4/23/2010
The only redeeming quality of this place is their $15.00 decorative roosters...
Bad: The "freshly baked" bread was dry, the selection of vegetables was pitiful, the "imported chocolate" was over priced, and the service was atrocious
Good: The pasta and cheese selection is above average. -
Review from Aditya R.
Updated - 10/9/2010 9 Check-ins Here
I guess, the bakery section is pretty good too, as well as the cafe. Try the rye bread here - it's right up there! Heavy (weighs a ton), tasty and just the way it's supposed to be.
Listed in: Eat, Love, Pray Locally, The root of all things
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/26/2010
Oooh mama! I really like how there are so many ethnic grocery stores in Edmonton. That's just too… Read more »
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Review from Francesca K.
Edmonton, AB
1/30/2010
I am absolutely in love with this grocery center. The place is filled with Italian imports of all varieties, imports from everywhere else around the world as well as some plain old staples too (like pizza pops and Campbell's soup).
I am not a fan of olives, but I was amazed as to their vast selection. Thirty different kinds to be exact, all available in the deli, in different sizes to suit your olive-loving belly.
There is also an entire isle dedicated to olive oil and vinegar. We know how those Italians love their olive oil!
The rest of this fabulous shop is filled with a meat deli, a kitchen gadget area, pasta, cheeses, sauces, breads and sweets. You could get all your shopping done in one place-- and for cheap too! Many things are much less expensive than at regular grocery stores. I found the exact same package of blue cheese for $1 less than at Sobeys.
They also create gift baskets using an assortment of items from the store. They are custom and unique, but I am unsure about price.
Tip: Avoid the weekends if you like to shop in solitary. I for one enjoy the hustle and bustle of the crowds at this place because it adds to the experience. The choice is yours, but the weekends are definitely their busy time. -
Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
5/20/2010
I am a huge fan of Italian food and it is pretty much the only food I can make. When I say it's the only food I can make what I really mean is I can make a couple of meals and they are Italian.
If you are like me and into Italian food this store is going to really surprise you. It is a grocery store and every item is Italian. They have a deli, a pasta aisle, desserts and much more. If you don't really cook, like me, this will make you want to learn. -
Review from Liz B.
Edmonton, AB
3/10/2010
Love, love, love this place! The selection of "stuff" is amazing. And the prices are crazy... and I mean crazy in a good way! It never fails that when I shop there, I come out shaking my head wondering how the grocery chains and specialty coffee stores get away with charging what they do! Next time you're going shopping, stop at the Italian Centre Shop South first - you'll be glad you did!
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Review from Paula K.
2/10/2009
I normally frequent the north side Italian Centre, which is close to where I work. Dropping by this location was an overwhelming experience. The smell of freshly-basked goods filled my senses as I entered. The place is huge, bright, and busy. I especially had a great time in the coffee shop area, enjoying a reasonably-priced latte and a couple of baked goods - cherry cheesecake and a churro with a soft, cinnamon filling. I also found some chocolate bars I have been having difficulty finding elsewhere. The cost of the chocolate, latte, pastries, and an Orangina for my friend cost less than $15! I am not in this part of the city that often, but I am going to make an effort to come here again, hopefully soon.
