It’s been almost a year since the DeCosmo family opened up its Italian market in Pinellas Park. Their sandwiches have been famous for years in Pinellas County but this was a big move opening up a big market.

Instantly comparisons were made with Mazzaro’s. Both sell pasta, wine, cheese, spices, oils and cannoli. But Paul, Vincent and Steven have definitely done some things with DeCosmo Italian Market that make the experience more enjoyable.

Check out my interview with the DeCosmo brothers on the newest episode of Geno Ate Tampa podcast. But enough talk. Let’s eat.

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  DeCosmo's is easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. It's on 49th Street in Pinellas Park about a block or two south of Park.

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  They've got all the obvious stuff you'd find at an Italian market... all the various pasta cuts. But it's FAR less crowded and chaotic than Mazzaro's. You don't feel like you're in a zoo at DeCosmo's.

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  Lots of cheeses... from the basics like grated cheese for pasta to harder to find imported cheeses like this.
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  Vincenzo suggests trying this cheese imported from Italy... Robiola Bosina.

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  Olives and lots of other sides can be found in the coolers.

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  They have plenty of prepared meals ready to take home and bake too. Check out the pizzone!
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  This is where DeCosmo's shines. Go right to #5 - the Vincenzo. Spicy Italian with ham, salami, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, tomato, onion, and lettuce finished with hot giardiniera and house dressing. A classic Italian sub with a hot spicy kick. If it's just you, the small is more than enough. If you're not a fan of hot and spicy, go with the #1 instead. Wimp. ;-)

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  I've had the Chicken Parm sub too. It's good. But take my word for it. The Number 5 is the way to go. This is a large... which even for 6'4" nearly 300 pound me cannot be finished in one sitting.

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  Yes. It was as good as it looks. And unlike Mazzaro's, they're open Sunday... the day I'm doing this photo album. I might have to head over and have one as soon as I finish this.
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  Way better than Pepsi or Coke... a great cola flavor without the weird chemical aftertastes we're so used to with the corporate colas.

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  The cafe is more than just a spot for Espresso and Cappucino. There's Italian soda, gelato and wine by the glass too.

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  Definitely more legit than Starbucks.
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  The bakery has lots of good stuff. The DeCosmo bakery section is definitely smaller than Mazzaro's. But there's not really anything missing.

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  Tiramisu? Don't mind if I do.
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  My family has their own Italian market back in Portland, Maine. As a kid, I'd stock the shelves. The Pizzelles always went fast.

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  I'm not a big anise fan so I love they have vanilla flavored now.

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  The wine selection isn't as enormous as the one at Mazzaros, but you won't have trouble finding something... they have solid budget wines and some fancy ones too if you want to go all out.
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  Wines for every budget - this is one of those ones to get if you want to impress.

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  The #5 sub (Hot Italian) at DeCosmo's Italian Market in Pinellas Park. I tried the Chicken Parm sub too. And it was good... but I'm all about that #5.

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