Glorioso's Milwaukee

I've been meaning to post about Glorioso's, "Milwaukee's Italian & Specialty Food Center" since a pre Valentine's Day visit to Northern Chocolate unearthed this gem. First, let me just say that Northern Chocolate fully lived up to its hype as not only a purveyor of fine hand-made chocolates, but also as the home of the most whacked out proprietor I have ever had the fortune to encounter.

After initially being told that he was, "too busy for customers", the proprietor of this eclectic chocolate shop finally relented and allowed GWiv and myself to enter the store with a firm admonishment to not step foot beyond the small remnant of carpet that is on the floor near the front counter. We were not permitted to browse the shelves of chocolate delights because that would have meant stepping off of our carpeted "safe zone" and possibly dirtying the floor with our manly footprints. If we wanted any of the chocolates on the shelves, the proprietor would grudgingly fetch them for us, but we were not allowed the luxury of seeing the goods close up until we paid for them and removed them from the premises. After being admonished to always brush and floss, in a brief moment of clarity the proprietor told us that if we were hungry, we should seek out an Italian Sausage sandwich at Glorioso's.

The chocolates I bought were outstanding, but the tip about Glorioso's turned out to be the best thing to come out of that chocolate shop on that particular day.

Glorioso's Italian & Specialty Food Center


Glorioso's has been in business since 1946 serving the needs of what is, judging by the number of specialty Italian markets in the area between the Illinois Border and Milwaukee, apparently a rather large Italian community in Southern Wisconsin.

As could be expected from just about any market in Wisconsin, there is a rather large cheese and sausage display.

Glorioso's Cheese Case


Glorioso's Sausage Case


There are also some meats being sold, like this Piedmontese version of ground chuck that is so classy, it demands to be called charles.

Glorioso's Piedmontese Ground Charles


Also on offer is an extensive selection of olives

Glorioso's Olives


And stuffed-to-order cannolis


There are also shelves stocked with all manners of dry goods and imported oils, etc.

That's all well and good, but for a visitor just passing through town, deli items are of limited value since the refrigeration and cooking facilities in my car are rather meager. It was the Italian Sausage Sandwich that we were after and the one served up at Glorioso's is a winner. The sausage itself is nicely seasoned. The sandwich is served on a sesame seeded roll which is a bit softer than the typical Gonella rolls we are used to here in Chicago, but it went well with the sausage. Adding a bit of Glorioso's spicy house made giardinare was the perfect topping to this most excellent sandwich.

Gloroso's Italian Sausage Sandwich


Next time you visit Milwaukee, I'd recommend adding a visit to Glorioso's to your itinerary.

Glorioso's
1020 E. Brady
Milwaukee, WI
414-272-1311

Northern Chocolate
2034 N. M. L. King Drive
Milwaukee, WI
414-372-1885

Northern Chocolate sounds....umm.......special.

LuvstoEat wrote:Northern Chocolate sounds....umm.......special.

Luvs,

Why yes, Northern Chocolate is special, in a good way. I'd much rather buy in-house made chocolate from a idiosyncratic owner who cares enough about his product to be tweaky about it than from a disinterested drone selling shrink wrapped packs of chocolate product made on a factory line.

Glorioso's is a terrific Italian Deli in the tradition of Riviera, Bari and Tenuta's. A solid stop on the Milwaukee food trail along with Jake's, Speed Queen, Kopp's, Zaffiro's and Solly's.

Enjoy,
Gary

A whirlwind trip through southern Wisconsin this weekend resulted in an unplanned, but wonderful return visit to Glorioso's. Since the visit I posted about upthread, Glorioso's has moved across the street to newer and large quarters. Their selection of Italian items is even bigger than the old location and the quality hasn't suffered at all. After a couple of rather disappointing visits to Tenuta's in recent weeks, I'm going to make the extra drive up to Milwaukee from now on when Italian groceries are needed. Do yourself a favor and visit Glorioso's. A great one two punch is a visit to the market, then a pizza at Zaffiro's, located just a couple of blocks away.


Glorioso's (New Location)
1011 E Brady St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 272-0540

Zaffiro's Pizza
1724 North Farwell Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 289-8776

I miss the old version of Glorioso's for nostalgia reasons but I gotta say the new location is pretty awesome. So many cheeses, pastas, etc and more salumi than imaginable. I spend a good hour just wandering aound gazing at all the great stuff.

As for Northern Chocolate, I don't understand why anyone would put up with such an insuferable jerk just for some chocolate. I have had chocolate from there (I didn't buy it) and while its very good, its not so much better than places like Indulgence or Allo Chocolat that I would ever put up with this dude. I think part of the reason people rave about his candy is because he's such a jerk.

Steve,

What was disappointing about your recent visits to Tenutas?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Steve,

What was disappointing about your recent visits to Tenutas?

Regards,

I found literally all of the higher end olive oil to be out of date, or very near expiration.

My Sister-In-Law works here
I just spoke to her, ask for Chris. If she's in she'll take care of you.
She's busy putting together a website and a facebook page so customers can get updates on sales and specials.
She's going to be sending me some info - I'll post it as soon as I get it.

Glorioso's has expanded across the street in a beautifully renovated building. Check them out again soon!

Glorioso's is Progressive Grocer September Store of the Month.