For example, Stasio's has an area like you'd see in Italy where people gather to have un caffè and a small pastry and chat at the counter. We're a place where people can come to buy fresh sliced Italian cured meats and aged and fresh cheeses at the deli. And because it's a whole family working here, I find the customer relationship is being built little by little, because they feel at home when they come in. The smells that are created by making bread in-house every day also lends to the authenticity and the overall evolution of our "Immigrant in America" business.
Have you ever felt the need to compromise in order to satisfy a broader palate? I did not. I cook the way I was taught growing up ... We are full-blooded Italian, so we don't have any formal [culinary] education! My husband Louie is a self-taught cook.
How are you reducing food waste? What are you doing to make the restaurant more sustainable? In trying to reduce food waste, we cook just so much of the fresh food and when it's gone that's it. We don't make any more until the next day. As far as sustainability, we wrap all our sandwiches in paper, we buy from a produce company that buys fruits and vegetables from farmers close to Lakeland, and we also recycle.
What was your very first food addiction? OK, so my all-time favorite addiction – because my mom always made it – is fresh bread out of the oven. In Italy with olive oil and in America with butter. My first food addiction in America was hot dogs with mustard and sauerkraut. I've never seen or heard of that in Italy. (Stasio's Italian Deli on Facebook) ▲
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at feedback@orlandoweekly.com.
Orlando Weekly works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlando’s true free press free.