Luigi & Giovanni Specialty Foods has been a staple in our community since 1976. From its beginnings as an old-world butcher shop and deli to the fast-paced present, Luigi & Giovanni’s has remained an important and delicious part of Newtown Square.
Owners Lou Lemme and John D’Alessandro started their Italian specialty store after opening the Colonial Village meat market in Newtown Square 47 years ago. They became widely known for their whole-roasted pigs, lambs, and specialty turkeys, which are still top sellers at the store. Both John and Lou’s roots stem from Italy’s Abruzzo region, and they developed a passion for the food business as young men, working in delis and meat stores.
As the 1970s turned into the ’80s and the ’90s, John and Lou realized that meat markets weren’t as viable as they had been in earlier years as American diets moved away from heavy meat consumption. They then took their business in a different direction, evolving with their customers’ needs and requests. “We always talk to our customers and find out what they want,” explained John. “We didn’t change our original market completely, but we enhanced it in many ways.”
Listening to the suggestions of their customers, the business partners blended their old-world traditional-style butcher shop with the modern world’s need for convenience and freshly prepared carryout meals. “If you don’t evolve with your customers’ lifestyles, you will soon find yourself out of business,” added Lou. So, they decided it was time to combine Old World with New World.
Today, Luigi & Giovanni’s continues to keep the traditional flair of Italian specialty foods but also carries an impressive selection of made-to-order meals, Italian-American groceries, aisles of cooked entrees and cured meats. All meat is freshly carved and packaged, just as in any old-fashioned butcher shop. Additionally, the shop is known for its international cheese selection, offering hundreds of varieties of all ages, as well as ten varieties of Italian salami, 11 varieties of prosciutto and a wide assortment of other cured Italian meats. The shop also carries a delicious selection of breads, olives and peppers, including its signature long hots, stuffed with sausage, breadcrumbs or ricotta cheese.
“Sixty percent of our business is now prepared carryout food,” John said. “People are in a hurry and don’t have time to cook.” He said that families want to attend their kids’ sports games and other activities. Lou added, “Customers appreciate being able to pick up freshly prepared dinners for their families, made from scratch, just like their parents and grandparents used to make. They can eat well, despite their hectic lives.”
Whatever you’re looking for, chances are that Luigi & Giovanni’s selection will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. From made-to-order sandwiches, and grab-and-go entrees for individuals and entire families, to pizzas and other meals, all their food is prepared freshly in the store. There’s hardly a time when their parking lot isn’t packed, and customers are shuffling in all day long to pick up everything from stuffed artichokes, antipasto trays and veal or eggplant parmigiano to tomato pie, fresh fish, salads and a huge variety of pasta dishes. Even the desserts are homemade and include the popular ricotta pie and homemade cannoli.
On Saturdays and Sundays, their outdoor patio is packed with customers ordering roast pork sandwiches, chicken parmesan, stuffed Italian peppers or meatballs; all served with Abruzzese-style New York bread. It is the perfect spot to stop to grab some food for game day or in between running the kids to and from their weekend activities. “We’re also excited to announce that we now carry an impressive selection of Italian wines,” John said. “Our wines have been carefully selected from Cantina Casetto Winery in Verona, Italy.”
Need to pick up party trays and wine? No problem! Their catering offers a variety of menus, including Philly-themed menus, barbecued and cocktail party menus. Private party planners can also pick up party platters and other catered dishes at the store.
Luigi & Giovanni’s has also offered catering for private and corporate occasions in our area for decades. Its deluxe specialty menu of over 700 options is available at preferred venues or for any private party for weddings, baby and bridal showers, birthday and anniversary parties, graduations and other occasions. Lou said that 30
years ago, the typical cost for catering was $12-$15 per person. “Menus were simple then,” he said. “Customers today want more variety and we will customize our packages to fit any budget.”
But no matter how busy the store gets, you’ll find John and Lou working hard and greeting their customers by name. They can be found behind the counter on any given day, working diligently alongside their friendly and dedicated staff, many of whom have been working there for years. Often, the owners’ families can also be found helping, especially during the holidays.
Luigi & Giovanni’s friendly staff and delicious food can be found at numerous community events, including the Delaware County Italian American Heritage Festival in Rose Tree Park. They are also generous sponsors to our local 
sports teams and schools. “The community is good to us, and we feel it’s important to show our appreciation by giving back,” explained John. “We are a big family here in Newtown Square supporting each other so we can continue growing together.”
Luigi & Giovanni’s is located at 3601 Chapel Rd, Newtown Square, and is open seven days a week. Their hours are Mon.–Fri. 7am–7pm; Sat. 7am–6pm and Sun. 8am–5pm. For more information, visit www.LuigiandGiovanniCaterers.com or call 610-353-4014. To reach catering, call 610-353-2080 or email LGFoods@gmail.com.