i LOVE this place. 5 stars for Nostalgia! Carfagnas really takes me back with it's old school Italian Market. Makes me think of stories my Grandpa tells me about his dad's Italian market in Cleveland. The smells, the decor, the family. Good stuff! I just like hanging out in there! But, what really brings me back is their meat counter. Great Italian Sausage and tons of selection all for reasonable and even cheap prices! Wait, I mean what brings me back is the selection of Italian imports at decent prices. I mean, what brings me back is their wine and cheese selection. OK, maybe what brings me back is their bakery (great sub buns!). OK it's EVERYTHING! What sent me there last night was their specials (you can view their circular online!)! $2.99 sausage (any kind) $2.25/lbs fresh ground chuck (I know GE had is for $1.99, but go local, people!) AND dozen jumbo eggs $1.79! What will keep me coming back is the great people who helped me get everything I needed and made me feel welcome and the sweet offer of them to carry my 2 bags to my car in the freezing cold!
(5)
Thomas S.
This is a must stop during the holidays. Enormous wine selection and great specialty foods. This place has all of the hard to find items and be prepared to take a number if you need something from behind the counter - but the line is worth the wait.
(5)
Jerry C.
Please understand, the two star rating was for today's (10/3/2013) visit only. I have been going to Carfagna's for years. I have always enjoyed their steaks and chicken. Ok, What was I not satisfied with today? They were having a sale on thick cut T-Bone steaks for $7.99 per pound. They were out of them in the meat case and my server said it would be a few minutes for the butcher to cut them for me. After a few minutes he handed me a paper wrapped package telling me there were two 18 oz T-Bones in the package. When I got home and was preparing the steaks I pulled them out of the package and found that what I really got was a 10 oz strip with a 7 oz bone attached to it. Anyone familiar with the T-Bone steak will tell you it has meat on both sides of the bone (see photos), mine did not. Don't get me wrong, I love Carfagna's and will continue to shop there but I learned a valuable lesson. Always see the steaks before you purchase them.
(2)
Jess G.
As someone who grew up in western New York state with an Italian family, I've been missing not only home-cooked, carbohydrate-dense meals, but also the experience of small town markets and delis. More importantly, however, I've in need of authentic hot Italian sausage. It's so easy to find good bratwurst and other types of sausages in Columbus...where was the good Italian stuff?! Some talk amongst food-loving peers, and all roads pointed to Carfagna's. Imagine my delight as I walked in to find a small but bustling market with a gigantic meat counter and aisle upon aisle of delicious imported Italian (and other) goods. I was in my glory. I hastily grabbed six boxes of certain pasta shapes that are difficult to find in Columbus. My boyfriend, who is not Italian, likes to point out that moment of crazed glee. If you're looking for different shapes that you can't manage to find at Giant Eagle or Kroger, or even Whole Foods, I would definitely check out Carfagna's. (Side note: What's with pasta prices in this city, anyway? I miss the days of being able to buy De Cecco for $1.19 or Barilla for 89 cents in New York. I guess it's all supply and demand.) Onto the meat... Okay, you MUST go to Carfagna's for the meat. You will walk out with some amazing deals and awesome quality meat. We purchased a pork shoulder (roughly 2 lbs.), a half-pound of hot Italian sausage, three bone-in pork chops, 2 lbs. of boneless chicken breasts (at $1.99/lb.), a half-pound each of ground beef and ground veal, and one gigantic porterhouse steak (at $6.99/lb.) for roughly $35. All in all, including my many boxes of pasta and Carfagna's own canned tomatoes, the bill came to about $50. Though I've been eating meat like it's going out of business, I'm nearing the end of my Carfagna's stockpile. I'll be making a trip out here again soon.
(5)
Nadine S.
Love that i found this italian specialty store and meat market. They have an excellent meat, wine, cheese and cooked food selection. Don't forget to try the homemade pasta sauces!
(4)
Matthew L.
Why in the 9 Hells would you buy steak from Giant Eagle or Kroger, when you could go and get FAR superior steaks for less here??? Well, because you don't know it exists, of course! Best kept secret in town, it'd seem, and rightly so. Fillets for $7 at MOST, and sometimes on sale for $5 a pop (and let me tell you, these are great fillets!), very good delmonicos and sirloin steaks, their steakburgers are amazing, and the party wings great and a great value. They also have something called a "hot shot" which is a pepper stuffed with prosciutto which is a great mix of flavors, and their Italian salad is also a nice treat (chunks of moz, pep and other various goodies). Haven't tried their seafood, though it looks good, and their pasta and pasta sauce is also VERY worth it (LOVE LOVE LOVE the Vodka sauce). Their stuffed chicken should be avoided, and I'll admit that the staff though very good does seem to take some time to warm to newbs - I don't think I got a smile for at LEAST four or five visits, though they are good. PS, parking CAN be tricky when they get super busy. Great wine and beer selection, and the icing on the cake? Zagnut bars at the checkout. FTW.
(4)
Mindy L.
I have continued shopping for ALL of my meat at Carfagna's. To be 100% truthful, I have bought a few things at Whole Foods (a chuck roast) or Trader Joe's (lunch meat) to save time, because Carfagna's is out of the way for me. I have still been satisfied with the price, selection and quality as well as the customer service every time I shop there. I have also been going about every two weeks since I wrote my first review and even though it's summer I've still not smelled anything "funky" like another reviewer reported, nor have I heard anyone else complain of it either.
(5)
Chris K.
As inappropriate as this sounds... BEST MEAT IN TOWN. Carfagna's has a long tradition of offering great food to Columbus. Quality meats, great bread choices, and it feels like you've stepped back into the days of a corner market.
(4)
Ray W.
Been going to Carfagna's for many years. My favorites - their different pasta sauces - awesome. Next, their sausages are the best. Then, the sub buns. Yea, they look like discount store packaged bread buns, HOWEVER, just grab a pack or two, along with their mozerrella and make some garlic cheese bread in the oven, its awesome. Other favorites include their deli meats and the beef is good too.
(5)
Tony T.
I've been shopping at Carfagna's for about 5 years. Recently, the quality of their meats has changed for the worse. I purchased an 8 lb. standing rib roast the Friday before Easter to prepare on Easter Sunday. It had already started going bad. I trimmed it and still prepared it. It was not that good. Then a couple of weeks later, I purchased about 5 lbs of boneless chicken breast. I put it in the freezer right away. A week later, I thawed and discovered that two of the breast was going bad. The smell was not right and it had a darker greenish tint color. The other four breast seemed to be okay. If I shop there again I will definitely pay more attention to what I purchase. I'm not sure if ownership or management has changed, but really inspect what you buy there.
(2)
T B.
We have the meat palace in Huntington, they have Carfagna's in Columbus. Yum yum.
(4)
Robin P.
best olive oil !!!! lefas and portoliva !!!!!!
(5)
Kyle L.
This its one of my favorite Italian markets in Columbus. Get the cheese bread, get a gym membership, get some self control, and then get another loaf of cheese bread. Great steaks, great cheese selection, decent wine section, and great prepared foods. Some things are extremely overpriced so be careful when buying olive oils, condiments, packaged food. A lot of it can be purchased elsewhere far cheaper. Great selection of seasonal produce as well.
(4)
Sara C.
I've been trying to be more conscientious about the food I buy, especially the meat, and since I can't always buy the expensive organic, all-natural $8/lb stuff at Whole Foods, this is my go-to place for quality meat. The prices actually aren't much more expensive than conventional grocery stores, and they often have sales which make it cheaper! I got chicken leg quarters for 59c/lb, ground chuck for $2.50/lb, and a huge pot roast for $3.39/lb. I bought some roasted turkey breast here for sandwiches, and it has effectively spoiled me for any other lunch meat.
(4)
Randy S.
Not many things make me wish I lived near 161, but Carfagna's is one of them. This is a real-deal Italian grocery store. With aisles of imported pastas, homemade sauces and other goods, the store is well stocked enough without the meats. Ah, the meats... The meat counter at Cargfagna's fills up not just the back wall of the good-sized store, but also part of the right wall. They sell in bulk. They sell by the cut. It's great. Their selection of Italian meats -- and meats in general -- is unequaled in Columbus. The striking authenticity of Carfagna's is helped by the fact that it is family owned and operated. But not THAT family...at least I don't think so! There is a cool map at the front of the store where descendants of Italian immigrants can mark what part of the old country their families hail from. Great selection, surprisingly good prices and cool atmosphere make Carfagna's a must stop.
(4)
Bill M.
Overall a good store and an asset to the neighborhood. Steak and Roast beef is really good, but for fresh chicken wings I go to Weilands. Its too much effort for Carfagna's to cut the wing a Buffalo wing should be.
(4)
Kevin S.
Just stopped at Carfagnas. The best old fashioned Capacola in town!
(5)
Mike I.
This is the best spaghetti sauce you can buy in a store, hands down. Not to mention their meat selection is amazing- even the hamburger meat is a cut above the stuff you get at Kroger or Giant Eagle.
(5)
Lori B.
We make the trip sometimes just to get the fabulous bacon-wrapped filets. Best steaks in town and a great price. The Antipasti Salad is also amazing. Great cheeses and wine as well. Good selection of grocery items, espresso, and baked goods. Local produce. Love this place.
(5)
Msvega B.
Great price on meats
(5)
Sabrina L.
Carfagna's get five stars based on their chicken alone. Unlike regular grocery stores you can buy chicken strips here, already cut up, in any quantity you like. They're less than at Meijer or Giant Eagle and they have seven or eight different marinades that they'll pour into the bag with them that make them heavenly when you cook them at home. They have breasts and half chickens too, always well below the price you'd pay elsewhere. It's probably my best grocery find in all of Columbus. As for the rest of the store the wine selection is good, the cheeses are good and the pre-pattied hamburgers were a huge hit at our last cookout. It can be a little expensive for some of the staples (vegetable oil for instance) but if you're getting your meat anywhere else in the city you're cheating yourself.
(5)
Shannon M.
Has anyone ever had the cheesy bread from the farmers market in Madison WI? If so you know what bread heaven looks like. Well, I have found bread nirvana @ Carfagna's. A VERY close cousin to the Madison bread was discovered here! While waiting for my number to be called I wondered over to the fresh bread section and found the cheesy deliciousness. This is a great "family" style market with a wide array of deli and meat selections. I would love to see a bit more fish at a better price but that is a minor fuss. I always buy my chicken breasts here as they are $1.99 lb year round and they are GIANT. They have some already marinated as well that are quite tasty. They also have some standard grocery store fare so if you are in a pinch. Overall a great value for your meat dollar. And do your self a favor, get the bread.
(4)
Mike I.
This is the best spaghetti sauce you can buy in a store, hands down. Not to mention their meat selection is amazing- even the hamburger meat is a cut above the stuff you get at Kroger or Giant Eagle.
(5)
Lori B.
We make the trip sometimes just to get the fabulous bacon-wrapped filets. Best steaks in town and a great price. The Antipasti Salad is also amazing. Great cheeses and wine as well. Good selection of grocery items, espresso, and baked goods. Local produce. Love this place.
(5)
Msvega B.
Great price on meats
(5)
Jeremy B.
For years my Dad would make trips down to Columbus for work and while he was there he would grab a couple bacon-wrapped Filets to bring home and grill. These were always excellent, but I never really knew where he was getting them from or what else they had to offer. I finally went there for myself on the way home last summer and was blown away. Carfagna's is the coolest little shop, but you wouldn't guess how much they have to offer by looking at it from the outside. It reminds me almost of a Jungle Jim's(much, much smaller) in the sense that they have lots of products from foreign countries but a wide variety of prices and qualities. My Dad had reason to go to the butcher frequently, because they had some excellent offerings(their sausage is excellent). They also have lots of other items that are wonderful, like their cheeses and produce section. They had some wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits and I was able to get the ingredients here to make one of the best pasta dishes I have ever made. Carfagna's is the bomb, yo!
(5)
Bryant M.
Oh holy shit. I am in awe of Carfagna's. Seriously. This place rocks! I love good local markets, and this place is going straight to the top of my list! And how authentically Italian is Carfagna's? Well, my friend that just got back from a trip to Italy said she saw things here that she hasn't seen since her vacay. Here's a list of the things I loved: * chicken - boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.99/lb; and there's all types of crazy marinades they'll do for free! * meat - all types of fantastic-looking meats at really great prices * homemade sauce - so damn good! * homemade pastas * Italian sweets and goodies * wine! * cheese! * homemade bread! I wouldn't go here for fruits and veggies, but that's just not their specialty. Carfagna's totally fills a niche that none of my other spots can!
(5)
Sandy W.
Came here for the first time on a Saturday night, and I am a fan. Got a nice hunk of English roast for 3.49/lb, a whole chicken for 1.99/lb, and homemade sausages for 3.99/lb. I didn't have to wait in line for long, with just enough time for me to browse the meat choices available and make some decisions. I think the homemade sausages are a great deal. They're so much tastier than the ones you get at Kroger and Giant Eagle and go for about the same price per pound, if not lower. Also, the cashier actually knew how to bag my groceries. She bagged the meat separately from everything else, and made sure to double bag it. And she covered the pasta sauce jar in a paper bag. This is such a welcome surprise from the ineptness of many a cashier I've had at Kroger/GE. Too bad this place isn't closer to where I live!
(5)
Rachel B.
After all the great Yelp reviews, I thought I'd be walking into a wonderland of Italian goodies! However, I was sorely disappointed! The smell that hit us as we walked through the door was simply awful. It permeated our clothing! The offerings were just more expensive duplicates of typical grocer staples . The dry pastas had several varieties not found in your typical store. The meat counter, which I thought would be the bees knees, ended up being a bee sting. The meat didn't look too fresh, it smelled around the counter and the pickings were slim! One bright note was the Italian sausages were only $2.99 a pound. Hopefully this place will return to its glory soon! I love the idea of a classic meat market!
(3)
Courtney W.
I found this gem on Yelp (of course!) and with only $30 in my pocket and no money in sight until our next paycheck and in need of some food we grabbed our keys and drove 5 mins to Carfagna's. Honestly, coming from experience, I expected to use every penney and have to put some things back on the shelf to come back for later. This was our first time at Carfagna's, but not the first time for either of us at an Italian butcher shop & bakery. I grew up in northern NJ in a very Italian area not far from NYC. There were Italian bakeries everywhere when I was younger but the favorite was just down the street from me, our very own Italian bakery/deli. I know just how valuable they are to a neighborhood, so when I learned of Carfagna's was only 5 mins from my apartment in Columbus I was excited! It only took me 2 days before I headed over, and our lack of money didnt stop me. The other Yelpers review of Carfagna's had me hopeful there would be good deals and from my experience of the quality Italian markets have, there was no chance of me going across the street to Giant Eagle! The store is small from the outside with plenty of parking spots; the reviews are 100% right about the shotty spaces but I didnt mind. The first thing I noticed was outside...all of the fresh corn and potatoes and other fresh fruits & veggies. There was a sign on the front door telling everyone that Filet Mignon was only $5.99/lb ($15/lb at GE across the street), and italian subs were 2 for $5..an amazing price too. I knew before I even went in that I was about to be blown away. With my game face on I made a bee-line for the meat department in the back of the store. Apparently there's a ticket you're supposed to get before being waited on but we didnt notice; we know for next time. I was here for a few meals, cheap meals, so I focused on the chop meat: meatloaf, ground pork for asian dumplings, and some ground beeg for pasta. I found ground veal in the frozen section for a good price. Total of .75lb veal, .5lb ground chuck, and 1.5lbs ground pork came out around $6 or $7. I cant remember exactly for the veal. The point is that theyre beyond affordable and the quality cant be beat. I'm nuts with meat quality, coming from a background of germaphobs and chef people..I know my meat (I actually worked with a butcher one summer durring college too) and I know quality. This place...I really dont know how they can afford to sell this for so low. I'm not only amazed but very grateful! Because of them I can afford to cook my family the meals they deserve. That's important for this housewife! My husband breaks his butt everyday at work and he deserves a good home cooked meal and because of the prices here, I can do that for him. Not that we cant afford GE or Kroger prices but why pay more for less & poorer quality!? Carfagna's is a no brainer and Im surprised more people dont know about them. So the question I always ask at the end of these reviews..."will I be going back?" ...HELL YEAH Ill be going back!! And Im bringing my friends too! Who can say no to $1.99/lb chicken...fresh chicken that isnt yellow yet. Yeah..its THAT fresh! Their seafood looks really good too. I'm nuts when it comes to shrimp, quality wise. Back home we have a store like WholeFoods but its even more expensive and fancy. I wouldnt even go there for my shrimp, I would have to go to a fish store that custom orders it fresh for you. I would trust Carfagna's fish. Period. There's also a cheese sections, deli (with really yummy looking fresh homemade salads), beer & wine (cheaper too), frozen section equipt with lots of homemade pastas & sauces, and a produce & dairy section. They didnt have the heavy cream I was looking for (potato & leek soup) or the leeks but this kind of store doesnt carry absolutly everything (although they do even have some asian sauces in case you forget your hoisin at the asian market)...just exactly what you need & when you need it. Besides, GE is right across the street on your way home if you still need something. I can tell you one thing...Ill never go to GE as my first stop ever again. Not with Carfagna's so close by. Oh ..and I didnt notice even just one dam fly. I looked too..
(5)
Erin Y.
The deli counter here serves up super delish, everything down to the pasta made fresh, can't rave enough about the flavor Italian meals. Food here is just amazing. However, it's a primarily take-out establishment. Even if you dine at one of the tables, your food will be in to go boxes. Might not be the choice for a more impressive ambiance. For sure five stars on food alone, easily. Aside from the deli counter, it also is a grocers with high quality meats, cheese, etc.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
there is nothing to say that has not already been said, buy my parents went here when we were children and as an adult i come here, prices for the quality and unbeatable. And just one more work. FRESH FRESH FRESH!!
(5)
Max T.
Carfagna's is a great Italian grocer & deli with a great selection of meats and great service. The grocery is small - they often have some farm-fresh fruit and/or vegetable items on the walk out front, and inside there's no wasted space. They do have most general grocery items, but selections for Italian specialty foods are much wider - plenty of types of olive oil, different pastas, Italian soups, etc. The meat & deli counter is huge, and VERY frequently busy enough that you'll need to take a number and wait for someone to come available - though they handle the high demand well and usually have plenty of folks behind the counter helping out. Still, during some very high demand times (around holidays especially), expect a wait. (You'll get an advance warning when trying to park during those times - the small private lot overflows into the service road). They meats are great (don't miss their homemade meatballs and Italian sausage especially. They also make an excellent homemade Chicken Bratwurst), they have great deli offerings, and it's worth saying again, the service is excellent.
(5)
Julie P.
Carfagna's is a fine purveyor of two of man's great inventions - Wine and Meat! First the Wine! I would describe the wine section as 'advanced' - extremely well organized and full of variety, with taste descriptions and food parings next to the bottles. If you are looking for a very fine bottle of wine for a special occasion, this is the place to go. On the flip side, for the casual wine drinker, they have a bins with bottles under $10 and even under $5! Then the Meat! Carfagna's gets most of their meat from Ohio producers. They are also a major buyer for the state and county fairs. They don't advertise this much, but they really should. This is something a lot of Columbus people would love to know! Anyway, they have every kind of meat under the sun. If its not in fresh case, its in the freezer. Check the weekly ad (available on the website) for special deals, and plan to buy in bulk (limit 10# of any one item). I am constantly impressed with the quality of the meat and the service. I appreciate how precise and careful the counter staff works, even on the busiest days. This meat is seriously fresh. Other little gems at Cafagna's: ready-to-bake garlic bread; lowfat (not low flavor) chicken meatball mix, premade picnic salads and sides (this is the ONLY place I will buy premade items from a deli counter); and pride of Szeged paprika (simply the best!). The reason I hesitate to give 5 stars is that it can be so horribly busy in here, especially before major holidays. Expect to wait at least an hour on these days. Even normal weekends are a little out of control (30min wait). I have been told that some holidays are so busy, that you have to call in your order days in advance...you will not be served if you just show up. They also have, like, 5 parking spaces. Parking is a nightmare. Maybe its wishful thinking, but I'd love to see a newly remodeled, larger Carfagna's in the future!
(4)
Howie O.
Wow! This is a wonderful little gem in Columbus. Great meat market, fancy wine store, olive and cheese shop, and all around Italian grocery. I bought many treats today that were fun and exciting....
(5)
Sandy e.
To start: The deli: AMAZING chicken sald, wonderful ham salad, great pasta with marinara. OLIVES at the deli-- any meat--they do not use the pink slime filler either in the ground beef they grind their own every day. THE BREAD--any but especially the cinammon raisin bread. It is to die for. The only draw back--it is really really small. They need a few more locations.
(4)
Jenny B.
I don't know what it is about their chicken meatball meat, but that stuff makes amazing meatballs!! I go out of my way just to get this chicken when I want to make meatballs. The seasoning is spot on and when I cook them, they come out perfectly moist! They also have a great selection of frozen fresh pasta to choose from. They have their own jars of pasta sauce that you can pick up around town, but I love getting the fresh sauce from the counter. All of their prepared foods that I have tried have been great!!
(5)
Genie B.
How pathetic that in 2013 the racist behavior my parents were subjected to STILL occurs in places like this. My parents were SO excited to hear the RAVE reviews given to them about the selection of Italian meats and specialities. My grandmother was Italian...making my mom half black/half Italian...not that it should matter. The cashier working today didn't give my mom a second glance when she walked through the door held open by my father. However...apparently if you are black, you are CLEARLY not welcome here. She so obviously stared my father up and down with disgust and distaste that my mom just turned around and left, taking my bewildered father along with her. Catch a clue...I see ALL the various ethnicities that shop at your store and THIS is the way two new customers are treated by your staff??? I thought this ignorant behavior was confined to Little Italy establishments in Cleveland...clearly I was wrong. I learned long ago that fighting this type of ignorance is a losing battle but believe me when I tell you that I'm making it my personal mission for as many people as possible know how my poor parents were treated today. It makes me SICK that we actually travelled to your restaurant to try your lousy pizza last week too... Its disgusting to know that your backwards racist views still are so pervasive. If your looking for TRUE ignorance, look in the mirror.
(1)
Ann L.
I have shopped at Carfagna's for years and you can't beat their meat or selection of Italian food items. The deli area has several excellent dishes. But today's post is to cover their Catering division. You can't miss when you contract with Carfagna's to cater your next event. Our daughter's wedding yesterday was superb thanks to their skilled staff, excellent food and vast experience.
(5)
Tonio K.
Every couple weeks I drive past two other grocery stores to make a trip to Carfagna's. They have several things that I just love and it's well worth supporting this small, local specialty shop. It seems Italian themed, but they also sell products from other countries. They have great sections for wine, cheese, deli, butcher shop, produce, and that's just around the outside walls of the store. It's fun just to walk around and see what you can find. I always find something new to try. Some of my personal, perennial favorites: cheese: very good German mushroom brie, several good French bries, and a wide array of parmesan types wine: wide variety, I generally choose something different each time and I haven't run out of choices yet bread: German Bauernbrot (farmer's rye) and Vollkornbrot (whole/multigrain), plus different Italian cookis pasta sauce: there are several types of house-made sauce but the vodka sauce is amazing deli: they have the expected products like pimento loaf and turkey breast, but they cut it fresh for you right there and will happily make it as thick or as thin as you want butcher shop: the meat is great--chicken meatballs mix, sausage, steaks, chops... and they give great advice on how to prepare it all imported Italian goods: biscotti, pasta, olives, etc. frozen foods: house-made manicotti, cannelloni, wedding soup, lasagna The only bad experience I ever had was buying some mussels that were very smelly. I threw them out, but that was one time out of many many many that've I've been there over there years. I love this place!
(5)
Carla D.
Carfagna's resembles a market you would find in Italy. And why not? It's been an Italian family-owned store since 1937. The best part had to be the meats, cheeses and pastas. Selections were extensive and prices were good for the meats. For instance, you could get Italian sausage for $2.99 lb. You could find cheeses for slightly cheaper than in regular grocery stores. The homemade products looked tantalizing, like the eggplant parmesan and the stuffed peppers. Produce and groceries at this place were less than impressive, though, because of little selection. The prices on the produce, however, were fairly cheap, like green bell peppers for 99¢ lb and green onions (aka scallions) two for 99¢. Wine selections at Carfagna's are worth a look. Ask the wine salesman (he's there once a week) for recommendations. He's very helpful as he's been selling wine for some 30 years. I was looking to find a nice white wine to use for my own recipe of pasta fazul. Prices vary but he pointed me toward a decent chardonnay on sale for $5.99. Surprisingly, Carfagna's also has decent prices on imported products of nationalities other than Italy. If you love German food, they sell a box of knödles for $2.50 rather than $4.00 and Weinbrand Bohnen brandy chocolates.
(4)
Rich S.
Great prices on good quality meats. Way better value than the supermarket or North Market.
(5)
Adam K.
I'm slightly hesitant to say that our family has moved towards the "natural" route when it comes to our food. Especially our meat, produce, and fish. So...we took a shot at checking out Carfagna's and now we're addicted. We get our steak and bacon here...and recently tried their homemade sausage, which was amazing. Will definitely return time & time again!
(5)
Josh Y.
nothing much more to say that hasn't already been said but... you can't eat here. there are no tables and the food is cold so you have to warm it up at home. it's supposed to be sold in large quantities for you to cook for parties or your family. it's a market and a deli, not a restaurant. ... service is very nice.
(4)
Nathan L.
Italian Meats. Cheeses. Basically all of the good stuff from Italia, and I believe I've said it here before - everything good in this world comes form Italy. But Carfagna's only brings the best of the best to the table. The have all sorts of stuff that I love, and a bunch of stuff that I don't even know about yet and probably will love as soon as I try it. Once a year during football season my friend's mother flies in from New Jersey to cook us Italian sausages and other sorts of good stuff that Italian moms know how to make - and it all starts with a shopping cart full of Carfagna's. The two gripes I have are frivolous in comparison with the goods... the place ain't cheap and it is always packed. If you are planning on going during peak hours just plan on waiting around half and hour just to get checked out. I would not recommend going here during peak grocery store hours if you are only picking up one item - too long of a wait for just one thing.
(5)
Ryan A.
great traditional meat market with a surprisingly good wine selection. For a real treat, go to their restaurant on Polaris Pkwy for great italian in a simple, relaxed and very casual environment.
(4)
Nick L.
By far the best place to pick up steaks, or any cut of meat. The meatball mix is brilliant as well.
(5)
Paul F.
Carfagna's is my place to go for meats and deli items. As a matter of fact, they catered my wedding. I've been shopping here around 30 years. Mostly for meats, cheese and Italian items. You can't beat it. One big advantage over most groceries stores is that you can buy one pork chop or 5 slices of bacon.
(5)
Shane L.
I'll never buy meats in a grocery store after experiencing the wonderful meats at Carfagnas. The beef is full of flavor and has just the right texture, the chicken is hormone free and Amish raised, and the sausage is fresh and delicious. Everything is at an amazing price, and it's all packed just for you. There is often a wait, but that's due to the popularity of the place, not poor management, and you're always afforded enough time to make whatever selections your heart (and your stomach) desires. The butchers are very knowledgeable and helpful as well. Just be sure to listen for you number, else you'll get skipped. The deli is equally satisfying with a mixture of fine Boar's Head meats and a selection of imported and domestic Italian meats/cheeses. There is also a wealth of ready to eat specialties. The wine selection rivals much larger establishments, and they have many wonderful choices you'll fine few other places--real diamonds in the rough. Pasta, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar are plentiful, as is candy, but there is very little else there (and what is there can be pricey). You'll likely need to get the rest of your needs at the grocery store.
I often buy my cuts of meaty goodness here for special occasions... I absolutely love this place.
(5)
Scott R.
Update - we finally opened the jarred sauce we bought here a few weeks back. The whole family raved. I cook from scratch just about every weekend, so it's not like the family is just comparing the jarred sauce to Prego. And still, Carfagna's-branded sauce in a jar, drew raves.
(5)
Keith W.
Carfagna's is a great small grocery store for Italian specialty ingredients and they have a great meat counter.
(5)
Pat B.
Went to Carfagna's to purchase some chicken sausage the person behind the counter seemed to be new but doing fine and packaged the sausage by type and the price as they were marked, when I get to the check out and about to pay someone from the meat department came over opens the paper wrapped raw chicken product directly on their dirty checkout counters and tells me they priced wrong and they were sausage not brauts and some other nonsense as she is counting them and changing the labels and prices.I was somewhat taken back as she acted like I changed the labels and was stealing something I just told her to keep them and left. There is nothing there I can not get someplace else.They also have the saddest plastic display of poorly made fake meat products hanging from their ceiling behind the counter, it must be a sign.
(1)
Jennifer J.
We love carfagna's, we go here to buy our meat and we love everything! I recommend the steak burgers, New York strip and potato salad! Great selection of wine as well. It is a small store so be careful when bringing kids, not a lot of room for carts to get through.
(5)
Meghan D.
Carfagnas is the best for meat. Any chance we have to ditch Giant Eagle for Carfagnas we do! Also some incredible prepared pastas and salads!
(5)
Robin P.
best olive oil !!!! lefas and portoliva !!!!!!
(5)
Jacinta Y.
I've only been to Carfagna's once thus far, but it was overall a pretty good experience. I ordered one of their steak boxes, and it was a great deal that gave my family some delicious meat. I also got some bacon that was quite tasty as well. While I was in the store, I perused the shelves and saw several interesting items. It isn't the type of store that'd I'd do my regular grocery shopping at, but there are some great specialty items in addition to the fantastic meat selection. I will say though that the parking lot is fairly inconvenient, especially if it's a busy day. There's probably not much to be done about that, but I figure it's worth giving people a heads up.
(4)
Zack R.
I love Carfagna's. I wish I could get up there more often. The selection includes a lot of things you can't find anywhere else in Columbus, and the prices are scary cheap. I love the old school aspect of it, in that the grocery boys will bring your stuff out to your car for you...if you need help. Their house made sauces are incredible, and their meat case looks like heaven.
(5)
Leah S.
This is one of Columbus' best grocery institutions. If you're serious about good cuts of meat it's Carfagna's or nothin'. Their bacon-wrapped filet mignons are so delicious and well priced at $7.99 a steak. They are the ultimate treat for grilling season and the bacon serves as a fun surprise for guests. Their meatball mix is sold by the pound and begs you to roll them in little balls to then be dunked in their many varieties of pasta sauces. I have the best memories of "Pasta Dinners" from elementary school when Carfagna's would provide the meal for a fundraiser. Just thinking about the fresh pasta (also holy moly you'll never want boxed pasta again after trying their fresh pastas!) and steaming plates of meatballs in marinara sauce elicits some serious nostalgic memories for me. Which while I'm at it you must must must buy their pasta sauces. My favorites are the marinara and vodka sauces. After trying this you'll want to toss out your Emerald branded jars because BA BAM Carfagna's are 10x better. When ever I'm home in CBUS I'm sure to stock up on the jars, because I've had friends request it by name. Carfagna's even throws in a free 1 lb bag of pasta with every jar purchase. Now that's a customer-focused business. And, man, I haven't even mentioned the chicken salad. We buy 2 pound containers for my family and they're obliterated in a matter of hours. In fact, since I've began writing this review my stock has dwindled by a 1/4th. Also worthy of mentioning are the BBQ ribs and the very well priced wine selection. Just go, ok? I promise you will be a repeat customer. Drink the pasta sauce from the jar and count it as a veg serving for the day. You'll be happy.
(5)
Geneva D.
Great place to shop for high quality groceries, meat and deli items. Have happily been shopping there for many many years @ previous and current location. Really it's the best.
(5)
Valerie W.
Ohhhhhhhhh, Columbus (esp. the north side!!) you have a true United Nations of international markets over there!! Do you know how lucky you are?? You can "circle the globe" and never leave the 432... zip codes!! Kroger whoooo?!? I'm not a big meat eater (plus, I live close to an hr. away...) but this is a carnivore's fantasy come to life!! it's crazy busy and reminds me (mama mia!!) of all the open air markets in the "old country," but if you need a hunk of meat, you'll find it here, looking super fresh and less grey and SAD than in the supermarkets (sorry, vegetarians!!) If you're not here for the meat, just wander the aisles and TRY not to drool all over the place!! When I lived in this neck of the woods, I'd stroll from aisle to aisle and dream of the wonderful multi-course meals I had in Italy (and occasionally dared to recreate!!) Pastas, wines, cheeses, gorgeous olive oils and vinegars too many to count, sweets, assorted tchochkes (oops, wrong ethnic group!!), pastries... EVERYTHING Italian under one roof!! If in the area, which I was for a quick drive through just recently, this place is a MUST to stock up on the "good stuff!!" Buon appetito!!
(5)
Tabitha F.
Let's talk about meat, baby! Carfagna's is a fabulous meat market. We buy just about all our meat here. They always have great deals (especially on steaks)! Meatball mix and home made sausages are fantastic. They can pack your meat with a variety of marinades. Carfagna's also has a great selection of wine and cheeses. Italian deli meats and baked treats are another cherry on top. They have pastas and their own sauce concoctions too - you just can't loose with Carfagna's!
(5)
Shaun H.
Went over to Carfagna's meat market for the second time this past Saturday. My first trip was on July 4th and we got some superb ground chuck (80/20) that made the best hamburgers I've ever tasted come off of my grill. The hot dogs we got, all beef, were also superb. I had read some more Yelp! reviews after my 1st trip that indicated the best thing to get here is the sausage so when I decided to make pizza on the grill this weekend I decided to get some of their pepperoni and sausage. I also was going to make some nice chicken wings along with my grilled pizza so I headed down to Carfagna's for my second trip. As always the place was busy, filled with folks in front of the meat counter with their tickets. Be sure to get a ticket when you first get there as that's how they wait on folks to keep everything orderly. And don't worry if there's a lot of people there, they have a lot of people waiting on folks so the wait is never that long. I got ticket 99 and after about 5 minutes, or possibly less, a nice young lady called my number. I first got some freshly cut pepperoni for my grilled pizza and it was quite tasty (I sampled one) and then next got a sausage patty. I didn't see that they had any ground up, most were in hot dog type form so I just went ahead and got one patty for $1.50. As it turns out it was the perfect size for my 2 medium pizzas I was going to grill (I simply cooked it in a pan and diced it up as I cooked). Right as we were discussing pepperoni a manager came over and strongly recommended I check out their freshly made pepperoni bread. Being the pizza fan I am I took him up on that and got a loaf for $5.49. It's basically a really nice white bread with pepperoni and mozzarella baked into it. You heat it up for 7 or 8 minutes in the oven or a toaster oven, then when it comes out drop a piece of cheese, or some shredded mozzarella and enjoy. And the manager was right, it's DELICIOUS!! Highly recommended!! The loaf was huge so I took some to work to share with my co-workers. I definitely will be buying this again my next trip to Carfagna's as it really hit the spot. Next, we went over to the chicken. They had a weekend special of 25 wings for $10.00 and it was a mix of drummies and wings. The only issue was my fiance didn't really want many drummies. So the lady helping me was able to sell me individual wings at 55 cents each. I got 17 wings and 7 drummies. I also got some of their barbecue and buffalo hot sauce which were really well priced and were an excellent marinade for my wings. Later on that day we grilled up everything and wow..it all came out great. Carfagna's is legendary in the meat community and for good reason. They really bring the best and most fresh ingredients you can buy. If you just bought a grill, or have been grilling for years, this should be your first stop on the weekend to stock up for a cook out. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! P.S. as others have said the other non-meat stuff here such as chips and the like are a bit expensive but not too bad if you just forgot something at the grocery store. I'd definitely hit up Krogers or someplace though before you come here for your meat as that can add up.
(5)
Emily O.
My friends and I went there a few nights ago for the first time. We ordered the Carfagna Bread, Italian Wedding Soup, Salad with house dressing, Cheese Manicotti, Eggplant Parmesan, and Spicy Creamy Chicken Rigatelli. We only tried the traditional sauce and I am in LOVE! The service was excellent. You can buy any of their sauces and dressing in the restaurant and I think it is cheaper there than at the local grocery store.
(5)
Liz M.
i LOVE this place. 5 stars for Nostalgia! Carfagnas really takes me back with it's old school Italian Market. Makes me think of stories my Grandpa tells me about his dad's Italian market in Cleveland. The smells, the decor, the family. Good stuff! I just like hanging out in there! But, what really brings me back is their meat counter. Great Italian Sausage and tons of selection all for reasonable and even cheap prices! Wait, I mean what brings me back is the selection of Italian imports at decent prices. I mean, what brings me back is their wine and cheese selection. OK, maybe what brings me back is their bakery (great sub buns!). OK it's EVERYTHING! What sent me there last night was their specials (you can view their circular online!)! $2.99 sausage (any kind) $2.25/lbs fresh ground chuck (I know GE had is for $1.99, but go local, people!) AND dozen jumbo eggs $1.79! What will keep me coming back is the great people who helped me get everything I needed and made me feel welcome and the sweet offer of them to carry my 2 bags to my car in the freezing cold!
(5)
Thomas S.
This is a must stop during the holidays. Enormous wine selection and great specialty foods. This place has all of the hard to find items and be prepared to take a number if you need something from behind the counter - but the line is worth the wait.
(5)
Jeremy B.
For years my Dad would make trips down to Columbus for work and while he was there he would grab a couple bacon-wrapped Filets to bring home and grill. These were always excellent, but I never really knew where he was getting them from or what else they had to offer. I finally went there for myself on the way home last summer and was blown away. Carfagna's is the coolest little shop, but you wouldn't guess how much they have to offer by looking at it from the outside. It reminds me almost of a Jungle Jim's(much, much smaller) in the sense that they have lots of products from foreign countries but a wide variety of prices and qualities. My Dad had reason to go to the butcher frequently, because they had some excellent offerings(their sausage is excellent). They also have lots of other items that are wonderful, like their cheeses and produce section. They had some wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits and I was able to get the ingredients here to make one of the best pasta dishes I have ever made. Carfagna's is the bomb, yo!
(5)
Bryant M.
Oh holy shit. I am in awe of Carfagna's. Seriously. This place rocks! I love good local markets, and this place is going straight to the top of my list! And how authentically Italian is Carfagna's? Well, my friend that just got back from a trip to Italy said she saw things here that she hasn't seen since her vacay. Here's a list of the things I loved: * chicken - boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.99/lb; and there's all types of crazy marinades they'll do for free! * meat - all types of fantastic-looking meats at really great prices * homemade sauce - so damn good! * homemade pastas * Italian sweets and goodies * wine! * cheese! * homemade bread! I wouldn't go here for fruits and veggies, but that's just not their specialty. Carfagna's totally fills a niche that none of my other spots can!
(5)
Amy S.
I accidentally stumbled upon this place the other day- what a hidden treasure! Apparently I've been living under a rock for not knowing about Carfagnas- I thought it was just a restaurant! It looked a little sketchy upon walking in but I was pleasantly surprised with what I found once inside. I tried some of their deli meat and also got some of their marinaded chicken breasts. I have yet to cook them, but I'm sure they won't disappoint. Their prices were very reasonable for a specialty store, and the staff was extremely nice and helpful. Now that I know this store exists, I'll be shopping here pretty frequently.
(5)
Kyle L.
This its one of my favorite Italian markets in Columbus. Get the cheese bread, get a gym membership, get some self control, and then get another loaf of cheese bread. Great steaks, great cheese selection, decent wine section, and great prepared foods. Some things are extremely overpriced so be careful when buying olive oils, condiments, packaged food. A lot of it can be purchased elsewhere far cheaper. Great selection of seasonal produce as well.
(4)
Tom D.
I was told the meat department was top-notch here but learned they don't carry any grades of "prime" steak -- just "choice," which is a lower grade and the only grade of meat I seem to find in Columbus. There were a lot of flies about inside, and it was hot in there too. I did like the selection of wines -- priced right, too. But parking is a hassle. The lot is very narrow and awkwardly shaped and hard to get in and out of. Looks like a good place to pick up a few dings in the car door.
(3)
Sandy W.
Came here for the first time on a Saturday night, and I am a fan. Got a nice hunk of English roast for 3.49/lb, a whole chicken for 1.99/lb, and homemade sausages for 3.99/lb. I didn't have to wait in line for long, with just enough time for me to browse the meat choices available and make some decisions. I think the homemade sausages are a great deal. They're so much tastier than the ones you get at Kroger and Giant Eagle and go for about the same price per pound, if not lower. Also, the cashier actually knew how to bag my groceries. She bagged the meat separately from everything else, and made sure to double bag it. And she covered the pasta sauce jar in a paper bag. This is such a welcome surprise from the ineptness of many a cashier I've had at Kroger/GE. Too bad this place isn't closer to where I live!
(5)
Rachel B.
After all the great Yelp reviews, I thought I'd be walking into a wonderland of Italian goodies! However, I was sorely disappointed! The smell that hit us as we walked through the door was simply awful. It permeated our clothing! The offerings were just more expensive duplicates of typical grocer staples . The dry pastas had several varieties not found in your typical store. The meat counter, which I thought would be the bees knees, ended up being a bee sting. The meat didn't look too fresh, it smelled around the counter and the pickings were slim! One bright note was the Italian sausages were only $2.99 a pound. Hopefully this place will return to its glory soon! I love the idea of a classic meat market!
(3)
Courtney W.
I found this gem on Yelp (of course!) and with only $30 in my pocket and no money in sight until our next paycheck and in need of some food we grabbed our keys and drove 5 mins to Carfagna's. Honestly, coming from experience, I expected to use every penney and have to put some things back on the shelf to come back for later. This was our first time at Carfagna's, but not the first time for either of us at an Italian butcher shop & bakery. I grew up in northern NJ in a very Italian area not far from NYC. There were Italian bakeries everywhere when I was younger but the favorite was just down the street from me, our very own Italian bakery/deli. I know just how valuable they are to a neighborhood, so when I learned of Carfagna's was only 5 mins from my apartment in Columbus I was excited! It only took me 2 days before I headed over, and our lack of money didnt stop me. The other Yelpers review of Carfagna's had me hopeful there would be good deals and from my experience of the quality Italian markets have, there was no chance of me going across the street to Giant Eagle! The store is small from the outside with plenty of parking spots; the reviews are 100% right about the shotty spaces but I didnt mind. The first thing I noticed was outside...all of the fresh corn and potatoes and other fresh fruits & veggies. There was a sign on the front door telling everyone that Filet Mignon was only $5.99/lb ($15/lb at GE across the street), and italian subs were 2 for $5..an amazing price too. I knew before I even went in that I was about to be blown away. With my game face on I made a bee-line for the meat department in the back of the store. Apparently there's a ticket you're supposed to get before being waited on but we didnt notice; we know for next time. I was here for a few meals, cheap meals, so I focused on the chop meat: meatloaf, ground pork for asian dumplings, and some ground beeg for pasta. I found ground veal in the frozen section for a good price. Total of .75lb veal, .5lb ground chuck, and 1.5lbs ground pork came out around $6 or $7. I cant remember exactly for the veal. The point is that theyre beyond affordable and the quality cant be beat. I'm nuts with meat quality, coming from a background of germaphobs and chef people..I know my meat (I actually worked with a butcher one summer durring college too) and I know quality. This place...I really dont know how they can afford to sell this for so low. I'm not only amazed but very grateful! Because of them I can afford to cook my family the meals they deserve. That's important for this housewife! My husband breaks his butt everyday at work and he deserves a good home cooked meal and because of the prices here, I can do that for him. Not that we cant afford GE or Kroger prices but why pay more for less & poorer quality!? Carfagna's is a no brainer and Im surprised more people dont know about them. So the question I always ask at the end of these reviews..."will I be going back?" ...HELL YEAH Ill be going back!! And Im bringing my friends too! Who can say no to $1.99/lb chicken...fresh chicken that isnt yellow yet. Yeah..its THAT fresh! Their seafood looks really good too. I'm nuts when it comes to shrimp, quality wise. Back home we have a store like WholeFoods but its even more expensive and fancy. I wouldnt even go there for my shrimp, I would have to go to a fish store that custom orders it fresh for you. I would trust Carfagna's fish. Period. There's also a cheese sections, deli (with really yummy looking fresh homemade salads), beer & wine (cheaper too), frozen section equipt with lots of homemade pastas & sauces, and a produce & dairy section. They didnt have the heavy cream I was looking for (potato & leek soup) or the leeks but this kind of store doesnt carry absolutly everything (although they do even have some asian sauces in case you forget your hoisin at the asian market)...just exactly what you need & when you need it. Besides, GE is right across the street on your way home if you still need something. I can tell you one thing...Ill never go to GE as my first stop ever again. Not with Carfagna's so close by. Oh ..and I didnt notice even just one dam fly. I looked too..
(5)
Kevin S.
Just stopped at Carfagnas. The best old fashioned Capacola in town!
(5)
Jerry C.
Please understand, the two star rating was for today's (10/3/2013) visit only. I have been going to Carfagna's for years. I have always enjoyed their steaks and chicken. Ok, What was I not satisfied with today? They were having a sale on thick cut T-Bone steaks for $7.99 per pound. They were out of them in the meat case and my server said it would be a few minutes for the butcher to cut them for me. After a few minutes he handed me a paper wrapped package telling me there were two 18 oz T-Bones in the package. When I got home and was preparing the steaks I pulled them out of the package and found that what I really got was a 10 oz strip with a 7 oz bone attached to it. Anyone familiar with the T-Bone steak will tell you it has meat on both sides of the bone (see photos), mine did not. Don't get me wrong, I love Carfagna's and will continue to shop there but I learned a valuable lesson. Always see the steaks before you purchase them.
(2)
Jess G.
As someone who grew up in western New York state with an Italian family, I've been missing not only home-cooked, carbohydrate-dense meals, but also the experience of small town markets and delis. More importantly, however, I've in need of authentic hot Italian sausage. It's so easy to find good bratwurst and other types of sausages in Columbus...where was the good Italian stuff?! Some talk amongst food-loving peers, and all roads pointed to Carfagna's. Imagine my delight as I walked in to find a small but bustling market with a gigantic meat counter and aisle upon aisle of delicious imported Italian (and other) goods. I was in my glory. I hastily grabbed six boxes of certain pasta shapes that are difficult to find in Columbus. My boyfriend, who is not Italian, likes to point out that moment of crazed glee. If you're looking for different shapes that you can't manage to find at Giant Eagle or Kroger, or even Whole Foods, I would definitely check out Carfagna's. (Side note: What's with pasta prices in this city, anyway? I miss the days of being able to buy De Cecco for $1.19 or Barilla for 89 cents in New York. I guess it's all supply and demand.) Onto the meat... Okay, you MUST go to Carfagna's for the meat. You will walk out with some amazing deals and awesome quality meat. We purchased a pork shoulder (roughly 2 lbs.), a half-pound of hot Italian sausage, three bone-in pork chops, 2 lbs. of boneless chicken breasts (at $1.99/lb.), a half-pound each of ground beef and ground veal, and one gigantic porterhouse steak (at $6.99/lb.) for roughly $35. All in all, including my many boxes of pasta and Carfagna's own canned tomatoes, the bill came to about $50. Though I've been eating meat like it's going out of business, I'm nearing the end of my Carfagna's stockpile. I'll be making a trip out here again soon.
(5)
Mike I.
This is the best spaghetti sauce you can buy in a store, hands down. Not to mention their meat selection is amazing- even the hamburger meat is a cut above the stuff you get at Kroger or Giant Eagle.
(5)
Lori B.
We make the trip sometimes just to get the fabulous bacon-wrapped filets. Best steaks in town and a great price. The Antipasti Salad is also amazing. Great cheeses and wine as well. Good selection of grocery items, espresso, and baked goods. Local produce. Love this place.
(5)
Msvega B.
Great price on meats
(5)
Sabrina L.
Carfagna's get five stars based on their chicken alone. Unlike regular grocery stores you can buy chicken strips here, already cut up, in any quantity you like. They're less than at Meijer or Giant Eagle and they have seven or eight different marinades that they'll pour into the bag with them that make them heavenly when you cook them at home. They have breasts and half chickens too, always well below the price you'd pay elsewhere. It's probably my best grocery find in all of Columbus. As for the rest of the store the wine selection is good, the cheeses are good and the pre-pattied hamburgers were a huge hit at our last cookout. It can be a little expensive for some of the staples (vegetable oil for instance) but if you're getting your meat anywhere else in the city you're cheating yourself.
(5)
Shannon M.
Has anyone ever had the cheesy bread from the farmers market in Madison WI? If so you know what bread heaven looks like. Well, I have found bread nirvana @ Carfagna's. A VERY close cousin to the Madison bread was discovered here! While waiting for my number to be called I wondered over to the fresh bread section and found the cheesy deliciousness. This is a great "family" style market with a wide array of deli and meat selections. I would love to see a bit more fish at a better price but that is a minor fuss. I always buy my chicken breasts here as they are $1.99 lb year round and they are GIANT. They have some already marinated as well that are quite tasty. They also have some standard grocery store fare so if you are in a pinch. Overall a great value for your meat dollar. And do your self a favor, get the bread.
(4)
Sara C.
I've been trying to be more conscientious about the food I buy, especially the meat, and since I can't always buy the expensive organic, all-natural $8/lb stuff at Whole Foods, this is my go-to place for quality meat. The prices actually aren't much more expensive than conventional grocery stores, and they often have sales which make it cheaper! I got chicken leg quarters for 59c/lb, ground chuck for $2.50/lb, and a huge pot roast for $3.39/lb. I bought some roasted turkey breast here for sandwiches, and it has effectively spoiled me for any other lunch meat.
(4)
Randy S.
Not many things make me wish I lived near 161, but Carfagna's is one of them. This is a real-deal Italian grocery store. With aisles of imported pastas, homemade sauces and other goods, the store is well stocked enough without the meats. Ah, the meats... The meat counter at Cargfagna's fills up not just the back wall of the good-sized store, but also part of the right wall. They sell in bulk. They sell by the cut. It's great. Their selection of Italian meats -- and meats in general -- is unequaled in Columbus. The striking authenticity of Carfagna's is helped by the fact that it is family owned and operated. But not THAT family...at least I don't think so! There is a cool map at the front of the store where descendants of Italian immigrants can mark what part of the old country their families hail from. Great selection, surprisingly good prices and cool atmosphere make Carfagna's a must stop.
(4)
Bill M.
Overall a good store and an asset to the neighborhood. Steak and Roast beef is really good, but for fresh chicken wings I go to Weilands. Its too much effort for Carfagna's to cut the wing a Buffalo wing should be.
(4)
Erin Y.
The deli counter here serves up super delish, everything down to the pasta made fresh, can't rave enough about the flavor Italian meals. Food here is just amazing. However, it's a primarily take-out establishment. Even if you dine at one of the tables, your food will be in to go boxes. Might not be the choice for a more impressive ambiance. For sure five stars on food alone, easily. Aside from the deli counter, it also is a grocers with high quality meats, cheese, etc.
(5)
Nadine S.
Love that i found this italian specialty store and meat market. They have an excellent meat, wine, cheese and cooked food selection. Don't forget to try the homemade pasta sauces!
(4)
Julie P.
Carfagna's is a fine purveyor of two of man's great inventions - Wine and Meat! First the Wine! I would describe the wine section as 'advanced' - extremely well organized and full of variety, with taste descriptions and food parings next to the bottles. If you are looking for a very fine bottle of wine for a special occasion, this is the place to go. On the flip side, for the casual wine drinker, they have a bins with bottles under $10 and even under $5! Then the Meat! Carfagna's gets most of their meat from Ohio producers. They are also a major buyer for the state and county fairs. They don't advertise this much, but they really should. This is something a lot of Columbus people would love to know! Anyway, they have every kind of meat under the sun. If its not in fresh case, its in the freezer. Check the weekly ad (available on the website) for special deals, and plan to buy in bulk (limit 10# of any one item). I am constantly impressed with the quality of the meat and the service. I appreciate how precise and careful the counter staff works, even on the busiest days. This meat is seriously fresh. Other little gems at Cafagna's: ready-to-bake garlic bread; lowfat (not low flavor) chicken meatball mix, premade picnic salads and sides (this is the ONLY place I will buy premade items from a deli counter); and pride of Szeged paprika (simply the best!). The reason I hesitate to give 5 stars is that it can be so horribly busy in here, especially before major holidays. Expect to wait at least an hour on these days. Even normal weekends are a little out of control (30min wait). I have been told that some holidays are so busy, that you have to call in your order days in advance...you will not be served if you just show up. They also have, like, 5 parking spaces. Parking is a nightmare. Maybe its wishful thinking, but I'd love to see a newly remodeled, larger Carfagna's in the future!
(4)
Howie O.
Wow! This is a wonderful little gem in Columbus. Great meat market, fancy wine store, olive and cheese shop, and all around Italian grocery. I bought many treats today that were fun and exciting....
(5)
Sandy e.
To start: The deli: AMAZING chicken sald, wonderful ham salad, great pasta with marinara. OLIVES at the deli-- any meat--they do not use the pink slime filler either in the ground beef they grind their own every day. THE BREAD--any but especially the cinammon raisin bread. It is to die for. The only draw back--it is really really small. They need a few more locations.
(4)
Jenny B.
I don't know what it is about their chicken meatball meat, but that stuff makes amazing meatballs!! I go out of my way just to get this chicken when I want to make meatballs. The seasoning is spot on and when I cook them, they come out perfectly moist! They also have a great selection of frozen fresh pasta to choose from. They have their own jars of pasta sauce that you can pick up around town, but I love getting the fresh sauce from the counter. All of their prepared foods that I have tried have been great!!
(5)
Genie B.
How pathetic that in 2013 the racist behavior my parents were subjected to STILL occurs in places like this. My parents were SO excited to hear the RAVE reviews given to them about the selection of Italian meats and specialities. My grandmother was Italian...making my mom half black/half Italian...not that it should matter. The cashier working today didn't give my mom a second glance when she walked through the door held open by my father. However...apparently if you are black, you are CLEARLY not welcome here. She so obviously stared my father up and down with disgust and distaste that my mom just turned around and left, taking my bewildered father along with her. Catch a clue...I see ALL the various ethnicities that shop at your store and THIS is the way two new customers are treated by your staff??? I thought this ignorant behavior was confined to Little Italy establishments in Cleveland...clearly I was wrong. I learned long ago that fighting this type of ignorance is a losing battle but believe me when I tell you that I'm making it my personal mission for as many people as possible know how my poor parents were treated today. It makes me SICK that we actually travelled to your restaurant to try your lousy pizza last week too... Its disgusting to know that your backwards racist views still are so pervasive. If your looking for TRUE ignorance, look in the mirror.
(1)
Ann L.
I have shopped at Carfagna's for years and you can't beat their meat or selection of Italian food items. The deli area has several excellent dishes. But today's post is to cover their Catering division. You can't miss when you contract with Carfagna's to cater your next event. Our daughter's wedding yesterday was superb thanks to their skilled staff, excellent food and vast experience.
(5)
Josh Y.
nothing much more to say that hasn't already been said but... you can't eat here. there are no tables and the food is cold so you have to warm it up at home. it's supposed to be sold in large quantities for you to cook for parties or your family. it's a market and a deli, not a restaurant. ... service is very nice.
(4)
Tonio K.
Every couple weeks I drive past two other grocery stores to make a trip to Carfagna's. They have several things that I just love and it's well worth supporting this small, local specialty shop. It seems Italian themed, but they also sell products from other countries. They have great sections for wine, cheese, deli, butcher shop, produce, and that's just around the outside walls of the store. It's fun just to walk around and see what you can find. I always find something new to try. Some of my personal, perennial favorites: cheese: very good German mushroom brie, several good French bries, and a wide array of parmesan types wine: wide variety, I generally choose something different each time and I haven't run out of choices yet bread: German Bauernbrot (farmer's rye) and Vollkornbrot (whole/multigrain), plus different Italian cookis pasta sauce: there are several types of house-made sauce but the vodka sauce is amazing deli: they have the expected products like pimento loaf and turkey breast, but they cut it fresh for you right there and will happily make it as thick or as thin as you want butcher shop: the meat is great--chicken meatballs mix, sausage, steaks, chops... and they give great advice on how to prepare it all imported Italian goods: biscotti, pasta, olives, etc. frozen foods: house-made manicotti, cannelloni, wedding soup, lasagna The only bad experience I ever had was buying some mussels that were very smelly. I threw them out, but that was one time out of many many many that've I've been there over there years. I love this place!
(5)
Carla D.
Carfagna's resembles a market you would find in Italy. And why not? It's been an Italian family-owned store since 1937. The best part had to be the meats, cheeses and pastas. Selections were extensive and prices were good for the meats. For instance, you could get Italian sausage for $2.99 lb. You could find cheeses for slightly cheaper than in regular grocery stores. The homemade products looked tantalizing, like the eggplant parmesan and the stuffed peppers. Produce and groceries at this place were less than impressive, though, because of little selection. The prices on the produce, however, were fairly cheap, like green bell peppers for 99¢ lb and green onions (aka scallions) two for 99¢. Wine selections at Carfagna's are worth a look. Ask the wine salesman (he's there once a week) for recommendations. He's very helpful as he's been selling wine for some 30 years. I was looking to find a nice white wine to use for my own recipe of pasta fazul. Prices vary but he pointed me toward a decent chardonnay on sale for $5.99. Surprisingly, Carfagna's also has decent prices on imported products of nationalities other than Italy. If you love German food, they sell a box of knödles for $2.50 rather than $4.00 and Weinbrand Bohnen brandy chocolates.
(4)
Rich S.
Great prices on good quality meats. Way better value than the supermarket or North Market.
(5)
Adam K.
I'm slightly hesitant to say that our family has moved towards the "natural" route when it comes to our food. Especially our meat, produce, and fish. So...we took a shot at checking out Carfagna's and now we're addicted. We get our steak and bacon here...and recently tried their homemade sausage, which was amazing. Will definitely return time & time again!
(5)
Nathan L.
Italian Meats. Cheeses. Basically all of the good stuff from Italia, and I believe I've said it here before - everything good in this world comes form Italy. But Carfagna's only brings the best of the best to the table. The have all sorts of stuff that I love, and a bunch of stuff that I don't even know about yet and probably will love as soon as I try it. Once a year during football season my friend's mother flies in from New Jersey to cook us Italian sausages and other sorts of good stuff that Italian moms know how to make - and it all starts with a shopping cart full of Carfagna's. The two gripes I have are frivolous in comparison with the goods... the place ain't cheap and it is always packed. If you are planning on going during peak hours just plan on waiting around half and hour just to get checked out. I would not recommend going here during peak grocery store hours if you are only picking up one item - too long of a wait for just one thing.
(5)
Ryan A.
great traditional meat market with a surprisingly good wine selection. For a real treat, go to their restaurant on Polaris Pkwy for great italian in a simple, relaxed and very casual environment.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
there is nothing to say that has not already been said, buy my parents went here when we were children and as an adult i come here, prices for the quality and unbeatable. And just one more work. FRESH FRESH FRESH!!
(5)
Max T.
Carfagna's is a great Italian grocer & deli with a great selection of meats and great service. The grocery is small - they often have some farm-fresh fruit and/or vegetable items on the walk out front, and inside there's no wasted space. They do have most general grocery items, but selections for Italian specialty foods are much wider - plenty of types of olive oil, different pastas, Italian soups, etc. The meat & deli counter is huge, and VERY frequently busy enough that you'll need to take a number and wait for someone to come available - though they handle the high demand well and usually have plenty of folks behind the counter helping out. Still, during some very high demand times (around holidays especially), expect a wait. (You'll get an advance warning when trying to park during those times - the small private lot overflows into the service road). They meats are great (don't miss their homemade meatballs and Italian sausage especially. They also make an excellent homemade Chicken Bratwurst), they have great deli offerings, and it's worth saying again, the service is excellent.
(5)
Nick L.
By far the best place to pick up steaks, or any cut of meat. The meatball mix is brilliant as well.
(5)
Paul F.
Carfagna's is my place to go for meats and deli items. As a matter of fact, they catered my wedding. I've been shopping here around 30 years. Mostly for meats, cheese and Italian items. You can't beat it. One big advantage over most groceries stores is that you can buy one pork chop or 5 slices of bacon.
(5)
Shane L.
I'll never buy meats in a grocery store after experiencing the wonderful meats at Carfagnas. The beef is full of flavor and has just the right texture, the chicken is hormone free and Amish raised, and the sausage is fresh and delicious. Everything is at an amazing price, and it's all packed just for you. There is often a wait, but that's due to the popularity of the place, not poor management, and you're always afforded enough time to make whatever selections your heart (and your stomach) desires. The butchers are very knowledgeable and helpful as well. Just be sure to listen for you number, else you'll get skipped. The deli is equally satisfying with a mixture of fine Boar's Head meats and a selection of imported and domestic Italian meats/cheeses. There is also a wealth of ready to eat specialties. The wine selection rivals much larger establishments, and they have many wonderful choices you'll fine few other places--real diamonds in the rough. Pasta, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar are plentiful, as is candy, but there is very little else there (and what is there can be pricey). You'll likely need to get the rest of your needs at the grocery store.
I often buy my cuts of meaty goodness here for special occasions... I absolutely love this place.
(5)
Scott R.
Update - we finally opened the jarred sauce we bought here a few weeks back. The whole family raved. I cook from scratch just about every weekend, so it's not like the family is just comparing the jarred sauce to Prego. And still, Carfagna's-branded sauce in a jar, drew raves.
(5)
Keith W.
Carfagna's is a great small grocery store for Italian specialty ingredients and they have a great meat counter.
(5)
Jen M.
I'm a big fan for reasons that lots of other folks have articulated here. I buy about 90% of my beef, pork, poultry, and deli meat at Carfagna's. The roast beef is to die for, basically tastes just like a good steak. Some other assorted tips and tricks: If you make a lot of soup, don't miss the prosciutto rough-end cubes in the little vacuum pack near the salt pork, in the case across from the chicken department. Carfagna's brings in a special guy just to shave their prosciutto for the deli section, and he saves all the hard ends. They're dirt cheap to buy and add tons of flavor to your food. If you're a frequent flyer at Carfagna's, they have an ongoing "Buy $100 in gift cards, get $10 bonus certificate free" promotion. The credit is good at Carfagna's and their restaurant in Polaris, Carfagna's kitchen. This is a full-service meat market, so don't be afraid to ask for specifically which piece of meat you want out of the case, ask for the biggest or smallest piece, ask if they might have a particular cut in the back, etc. They've got half a dozen types of sausage. The meat cutters will gladly help you pick out one that's ideal for your needs. I'm partial to the Festival sausage, which is mostly mild but has a wee little kick to it--just enough to give it personality.
(5)
Susan R.
LOVE Carfagna's. I don't have much new to add to what has been said, but I will chime in with what I personally love about the store in case you, too, are looking for a store that suits these needs. *Meat. MEAT. We do a lot of our grocery shoppin' at Costco, actually (bulk fruits and veg for smoothies!), but I buy my meat from Carfagna's. They have inexpensive sausage that is wicked tasty. I'm loving the Grandpa Carfagna's sausage and I hope that's not a limited-time flavor; it's my favorite. I also love picking up pork shoulder there, which they have at a good price in reasonable sizes, and it's not even cut up into stupid "steaks" (SHOULDER SHOULD NOT MAKE STEAKS, BEXLEY KROGER). I'll buy enough for a couple of weeks at a time to save trips, and because they're affordable, I can manage this easily. *Deli items. They have *really* good pastrami for being in Columbus. And they let me try it before I decided to buy it, which is always a plus. *Cheese. Love me some cheese, although I wish it were organized a bit better and the selection was a little more consistent. (One week, for example, I found some good, reasonably-priced domestic parmigiana; it hasn't been in evidence since.) I'd be tickled pink if they had a solid, reasonably-priced pecorino Romano in a fist-sized chunk that I didn't have to pay more than $5-7 to walk out the door with. I would buy it all the time. Still, they have a real-deal cheese section and that puts them far above a lot of other grocers. *I do buy a few produce items here. When their tomatoes aren't gently rotting (which I've been noticing more here toward the end of the season), they are fantastic in-season. Good prices on zucchini, Brussels sprouts. I got some of their mushrooms and they did taste a little weird, though. Not bad, just weird. *Dry/shelf stable goods: If you're looking for an Italian ingredient, go here. They're likely to have it. They have a few other imported European goods, but it's very Italian-centric. And their sauce? AMAZING. Best jarred pasta sauce I have ever eaten. *They stock cold cans of San Pellegrino Limonata. Mmm. SO GOOD. And hubs doesn't like it, so I don't have to share.
(5)
John N.
THE butcher in town. Period. When you need quality and really great prices, this is where to go. I drive a distance for it.
(5)
Matthew L.
Why in the 9 Hells would you buy steak from Giant Eagle or Kroger, when you could go and get FAR superior steaks for less here??? Well, because you don't know it exists, of course! Best kept secret in town, it'd seem, and rightly so. Fillets for $7 at MOST, and sometimes on sale for $5 a pop (and let me tell you, these are great fillets!), very good delmonicos and sirloin steaks, their steakburgers are amazing, and the party wings great and a great value. They also have something called a "hot shot" which is a pepper stuffed with prosciutto which is a great mix of flavors, and their Italian salad is also a nice treat (chunks of moz, pep and other various goodies). Haven't tried their seafood, though it looks good, and their pasta and pasta sauce is also VERY worth it (LOVE LOVE LOVE the Vodka sauce). Their stuffed chicken should be avoided, and I'll admit that the staff though very good does seem to take some time to warm to newbs - I don't think I got a smile for at LEAST four or five visits, though they are good. PS, parking CAN be tricky when they get super busy. Great wine and beer selection, and the icing on the cake? Zagnut bars at the checkout. FTW.
(4)
Mindy L.
I have continued shopping for ALL of my meat at Carfagna's. To be 100% truthful, I have bought a few things at Whole Foods (a chuck roast) or Trader Joe's (lunch meat) to save time, because Carfagna's is out of the way for me. I have still been satisfied with the price, selection and quality as well as the customer service every time I shop there. I have also been going about every two weeks since I wrote my first review and even though it's summer I've still not smelled anything "funky" like another reviewer reported, nor have I heard anyone else complain of it either.
(5)
Chris K.
As inappropriate as this sounds... BEST MEAT IN TOWN. Carfagna's has a long tradition of offering great food to Columbus. Quality meats, great bread choices, and it feels like you've stepped back into the days of a corner market.
(4)
Ray W.
Been going to Carfagna's for many years. My favorites - their different pasta sauces - awesome. Next, their sausages are the best. Then, the sub buns. Yea, they look like discount store packaged bread buns, HOWEVER, just grab a pack or two, along with their mozerrella and make some garlic cheese bread in the oven, its awesome. Other favorites include their deli meats and the beef is good too.
(5)
Tony T.
I've been shopping at Carfagna's for about 5 years. Recently, the quality of their meats has changed for the worse. I purchased an 8 lb. standing rib roast the Friday before Easter to prepare on Easter Sunday. It had already started going bad. I trimmed it and still prepared it. It was not that good. Then a couple of weeks later, I purchased about 5 lbs of boneless chicken breast. I put it in the freezer right away. A week later, I thawed and discovered that two of the breast was going bad. The smell was not right and it had a darker greenish tint color. The other four breast seemed to be okay. If I shop there again I will definitely pay more attention to what I purchase. I'm not sure if ownership or management has changed, but really inspect what you buy there.
(2)
T B.
We have the meat palace in Huntington, they have Carfagna's in Columbus. Yum yum.
(4)
Dave J.
The best place to buy red meat and chicken in the city. Not so sure about the fish. This place is always crowded and for good reason: the quality of the food is excellent. I didn't think buying meat I had to prepare myself would make a difference with where I got it since a cow is a cow and chickens cluck. This butchers quality comes through in the flavor even if you completely burn it to very well done on the grill. The steak burgers come out tasting restaurant quality for the price of less than a large fast food chain burger. If you are buying other groceries through their market, be prepared to pay. They specialize in butchered meats, not groceries, so the extra stuff will come at a cost. The only real downside- the parking there is atrocious some days. Between people not caring that painted lines mean take a single space, and the lot being very small for the crowds that are inside, be aware that parking here can be a challenge.
(4)
William M.
All the good things that satisfied customers have said are fair enough-they do have good meat and nice deli items, but after my last experience there I will never go in this store again. I was standing at the butcher counter waiting to be served and I watched two of the butchers conspire to humiliate someone. They intentionally skipped a number when they were calling and when I called out my number-the one they had skipped, the butcher started yelling at me and abusing me in front of a crowed of people while the other one snickered. I will never go in that joint again and will badmouth it to anyone who will listen until the end of my life. Rot them.
(1)
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Address :1405 E Dublin Granville Rd
Columbus, OH, 43229
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Liz M.
i LOVE this place. 5 stars for Nostalgia! Carfagnas really takes me back with it's old school Italian Market. Makes me think of stories my Grandpa tells me about his dad's Italian market in Cleveland. The smells, the decor, the family. Good stuff! I just like hanging out in there! But, what really brings me back is their meat counter. Great Italian Sausage and tons of selection all for reasonable and even cheap prices! Wait, I mean what brings me back is the selection of Italian imports at decent prices. I mean, what brings me back is their wine and cheese selection. OK, maybe what brings me back is their bakery (great sub buns!). OK it's EVERYTHING! What sent me there last night was their specials (you can view their circular online!)! $2.99 sausage (any kind) $2.25/lbs fresh ground chuck (I know GE had is for $1.99, but go local, people!) AND dozen jumbo eggs $1.79! What will keep me coming back is the great people who helped me get everything I needed and made me feel welcome and the sweet offer of them to carry my 2 bags to my car in the freezing cold!
(5)Thomas S.
This is a must stop during the holidays. Enormous wine selection and great specialty foods. This place has all of the hard to find items and be prepared to take a number if you need something from behind the counter - but the line is worth the wait.
(5)Jerry C.
Please understand, the two star rating was for today's (10/3/2013) visit only. I have been going to Carfagna's for years. I have always enjoyed their steaks and chicken. Ok, What was I not satisfied with today? They were having a sale on thick cut T-Bone steaks for $7.99 per pound. They were out of them in the meat case and my server said it would be a few minutes for the butcher to cut them for me. After a few minutes he handed me a paper wrapped package telling me there were two 18 oz T-Bones in the package. When I got home and was preparing the steaks I pulled them out of the package and found that what I really got was a 10 oz strip with a 7 oz bone attached to it. Anyone familiar with the T-Bone steak will tell you it has meat on both sides of the bone (see photos), mine did not. Don't get me wrong, I love Carfagna's and will continue to shop there but I learned a valuable lesson. Always see the steaks before you purchase them.
(2)Jess G.
As someone who grew up in western New York state with an Italian family, I've been missing not only home-cooked, carbohydrate-dense meals, but also the experience of small town markets and delis. More importantly, however, I've in need of authentic hot Italian sausage. It's so easy to find good bratwurst and other types of sausages in Columbus...where was the good Italian stuff?! Some talk amongst food-loving peers, and all roads pointed to Carfagna's. Imagine my delight as I walked in to find a small but bustling market with a gigantic meat counter and aisle upon aisle of delicious imported Italian (and other) goods. I was in my glory. I hastily grabbed six boxes of certain pasta shapes that are difficult to find in Columbus. My boyfriend, who is not Italian, likes to point out that moment of crazed glee. If you're looking for different shapes that you can't manage to find at Giant Eagle or Kroger, or even Whole Foods, I would definitely check out Carfagna's. (Side note: What's with pasta prices in this city, anyway? I miss the days of being able to buy De Cecco for $1.19 or Barilla for 89 cents in New York. I guess it's all supply and demand.) Onto the meat... Okay, you MUST go to Carfagna's for the meat. You will walk out with some amazing deals and awesome quality meat. We purchased a pork shoulder (roughly 2 lbs.), a half-pound of hot Italian sausage, three bone-in pork chops, 2 lbs. of boneless chicken breasts (at $1.99/lb.), a half-pound each of ground beef and ground veal, and one gigantic porterhouse steak (at $6.99/lb.) for roughly $35. All in all, including my many boxes of pasta and Carfagna's own canned tomatoes, the bill came to about $50. Though I've been eating meat like it's going out of business, I'm nearing the end of my Carfagna's stockpile. I'll be making a trip out here again soon.
(5)Nadine S.
Love that i found this italian specialty store and meat market. They have an excellent meat, wine, cheese and cooked food selection. Don't forget to try the homemade pasta sauces!
(4)Matthew L.
Why in the 9 Hells would you buy steak from Giant Eagle or Kroger, when you could go and get FAR superior steaks for less here??? Well, because you don't know it exists, of course! Best kept secret in town, it'd seem, and rightly so. Fillets for $7 at MOST, and sometimes on sale for $5 a pop (and let me tell you, these are great fillets!), very good delmonicos and sirloin steaks, their steakburgers are amazing, and the party wings great and a great value. They also have something called a "hot shot" which is a pepper stuffed with prosciutto which is a great mix of flavors, and their Italian salad is also a nice treat (chunks of moz, pep and other various goodies). Haven't tried their seafood, though it looks good, and their pasta and pasta sauce is also VERY worth it (LOVE LOVE LOVE the Vodka sauce). Their stuffed chicken should be avoided, and I'll admit that the staff though very good does seem to take some time to warm to newbs - I don't think I got a smile for at LEAST four or five visits, though they are good. PS, parking CAN be tricky when they get super busy. Great wine and beer selection, and the icing on the cake? Zagnut bars at the checkout. FTW.
(4)Mindy L.
I have continued shopping for ALL of my meat at Carfagna's. To be 100% truthful, I have bought a few things at Whole Foods (a chuck roast) or Trader Joe's (lunch meat) to save time, because Carfagna's is out of the way for me. I have still been satisfied with the price, selection and quality as well as the customer service every time I shop there. I have also been going about every two weeks since I wrote my first review and even though it's summer I've still not smelled anything "funky" like another reviewer reported, nor have I heard anyone else complain of it either.
(5)Chris K.
As inappropriate as this sounds... BEST MEAT IN TOWN. Carfagna's has a long tradition of offering great food to Columbus. Quality meats, great bread choices, and it feels like you've stepped back into the days of a corner market.
(4)Ray W.
Been going to Carfagna's for many years. My favorites - their different pasta sauces - awesome. Next, their sausages are the best. Then, the sub buns. Yea, they look like discount store packaged bread buns, HOWEVER, just grab a pack or two, along with their mozerrella and make some garlic cheese bread in the oven, its awesome. Other favorites include their deli meats and the beef is good too.
(5)Tony T.
I've been shopping at Carfagna's for about 5 years. Recently, the quality of their meats has changed for the worse. I purchased an 8 lb. standing rib roast the Friday before Easter to prepare on Easter Sunday. It had already started going bad. I trimmed it and still prepared it. It was not that good. Then a couple of weeks later, I purchased about 5 lbs of boneless chicken breast. I put it in the freezer right away. A week later, I thawed and discovered that two of the breast was going bad. The smell was not right and it had a darker greenish tint color. The other four breast seemed to be okay. If I shop there again I will definitely pay more attention to what I purchase. I'm not sure if ownership or management has changed, but really inspect what you buy there.
(2)T B.
We have the meat palace in Huntington, they have Carfagna's in Columbus. Yum yum.
(4)Robin P.
best olive oil !!!! lefas and portoliva !!!!!!
(5)Kyle L.
This its one of my favorite Italian markets in Columbus. Get the cheese bread, get a gym membership, get some self control, and then get another loaf of cheese bread. Great steaks, great cheese selection, decent wine section, and great prepared foods. Some things are extremely overpriced so be careful when buying olive oils, condiments, packaged food. A lot of it can be purchased elsewhere far cheaper. Great selection of seasonal produce as well.
(4)Sara C.
I've been trying to be more conscientious about the food I buy, especially the meat, and since I can't always buy the expensive organic, all-natural $8/lb stuff at Whole Foods, this is my go-to place for quality meat. The prices actually aren't much more expensive than conventional grocery stores, and they often have sales which make it cheaper! I got chicken leg quarters for 59c/lb, ground chuck for $2.50/lb, and a huge pot roast for $3.39/lb. I bought some roasted turkey breast here for sandwiches, and it has effectively spoiled me for any other lunch meat.
(4)Randy S.
Not many things make me wish I lived near 161, but Carfagna's is one of them. This is a real-deal Italian grocery store. With aisles of imported pastas, homemade sauces and other goods, the store is well stocked enough without the meats. Ah, the meats... The meat counter at Cargfagna's fills up not just the back wall of the good-sized store, but also part of the right wall. They sell in bulk. They sell by the cut. It's great. Their selection of Italian meats -- and meats in general -- is unequaled in Columbus. The striking authenticity of Carfagna's is helped by the fact that it is family owned and operated. But not THAT family...at least I don't think so! There is a cool map at the front of the store where descendants of Italian immigrants can mark what part of the old country their families hail from. Great selection, surprisingly good prices and cool atmosphere make Carfagna's a must stop.
(4)Bill M.
Overall a good store and an asset to the neighborhood. Steak and Roast beef is really good, but for fresh chicken wings I go to Weilands. Its too much effort for Carfagna's to cut the wing a Buffalo wing should be.
(4)Kevin S.
Just stopped at Carfagnas. The best old fashioned Capacola in town!
(5)Mike I.
This is the best spaghetti sauce you can buy in a store, hands down. Not to mention their meat selection is amazing- even the hamburger meat is a cut above the stuff you get at Kroger or Giant Eagle.
(5)Lori B.
We make the trip sometimes just to get the fabulous bacon-wrapped filets. Best steaks in town and a great price. The Antipasti Salad is also amazing. Great cheeses and wine as well. Good selection of grocery items, espresso, and baked goods. Local produce. Love this place.
(5)Msvega B.
Great price on meats
(5)Sabrina L.
Carfagna's get five stars based on their chicken alone. Unlike regular grocery stores you can buy chicken strips here, already cut up, in any quantity you like. They're less than at Meijer or Giant Eagle and they have seven or eight different marinades that they'll pour into the bag with them that make them heavenly when you cook them at home. They have breasts and half chickens too, always well below the price you'd pay elsewhere. It's probably my best grocery find in all of Columbus. As for the rest of the store the wine selection is good, the cheeses are good and the pre-pattied hamburgers were a huge hit at our last cookout. It can be a little expensive for some of the staples (vegetable oil for instance) but if you're getting your meat anywhere else in the city you're cheating yourself.
(5)Shannon M.
Has anyone ever had the cheesy bread from the farmers market in Madison WI? If so you know what bread heaven looks like. Well, I have found bread nirvana @ Carfagna's. A VERY close cousin to the Madison bread was discovered here! While waiting for my number to be called I wondered over to the fresh bread section and found the cheesy deliciousness. This is a great "family" style market with a wide array of deli and meat selections. I would love to see a bit more fish at a better price but that is a minor fuss. I always buy my chicken breasts here as they are $1.99 lb year round and they are GIANT. They have some already marinated as well that are quite tasty. They also have some standard grocery store fare so if you are in a pinch. Overall a great value for your meat dollar. And do your self a favor, get the bread.
(4)Mike I.
This is the best spaghetti sauce you can buy in a store, hands down. Not to mention their meat selection is amazing- even the hamburger meat is a cut above the stuff you get at Kroger or Giant Eagle.
(5)Lori B.
We make the trip sometimes just to get the fabulous bacon-wrapped filets. Best steaks in town and a great price. The Antipasti Salad is also amazing. Great cheeses and wine as well. Good selection of grocery items, espresso, and baked goods. Local produce. Love this place.
(5)Msvega B.
Great price on meats
(5)Jeremy B.
For years my Dad would make trips down to Columbus for work and while he was there he would grab a couple bacon-wrapped Filets to bring home and grill. These were always excellent, but I never really knew where he was getting them from or what else they had to offer. I finally went there for myself on the way home last summer and was blown away. Carfagna's is the coolest little shop, but you wouldn't guess how much they have to offer by looking at it from the outside. It reminds me almost of a Jungle Jim's(much, much smaller) in the sense that they have lots of products from foreign countries but a wide variety of prices and qualities. My Dad had reason to go to the butcher frequently, because they had some excellent offerings(their sausage is excellent). They also have lots of other items that are wonderful, like their cheeses and produce section. They had some wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits and I was able to get the ingredients here to make one of the best pasta dishes I have ever made. Carfagna's is the bomb, yo!
(5)Bryant M.
Oh holy shit. I am in awe of Carfagna's. Seriously. This place rocks! I love good local markets, and this place is going straight to the top of my list! And how authentically Italian is Carfagna's? Well, my friend that just got back from a trip to Italy said she saw things here that she hasn't seen since her vacay. Here's a list of the things I loved: * chicken - boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.99/lb; and there's all types of crazy marinades they'll do for free! * meat - all types of fantastic-looking meats at really great prices * homemade sauce - so damn good! * homemade pastas * Italian sweets and goodies * wine! * cheese! * homemade bread! I wouldn't go here for fruits and veggies, but that's just not their specialty. Carfagna's totally fills a niche that none of my other spots can!
(5)Sandy W.
Came here for the first time on a Saturday night, and I am a fan. Got a nice hunk of English roast for 3.49/lb, a whole chicken for 1.99/lb, and homemade sausages for 3.99/lb. I didn't have to wait in line for long, with just enough time for me to browse the meat choices available and make some decisions. I think the homemade sausages are a great deal. They're so much tastier than the ones you get at Kroger and Giant Eagle and go for about the same price per pound, if not lower. Also, the cashier actually knew how to bag my groceries. She bagged the meat separately from everything else, and made sure to double bag it. And she covered the pasta sauce jar in a paper bag. This is such a welcome surprise from the ineptness of many a cashier I've had at Kroger/GE. Too bad this place isn't closer to where I live!
(5)Rachel B.
After all the great Yelp reviews, I thought I'd be walking into a wonderland of Italian goodies! However, I was sorely disappointed! The smell that hit us as we walked through the door was simply awful. It permeated our clothing! The offerings were just more expensive duplicates of typical grocer staples . The dry pastas had several varieties not found in your typical store. The meat counter, which I thought would be the bees knees, ended up being a bee sting. The meat didn't look too fresh, it smelled around the counter and the pickings were slim! One bright note was the Italian sausages were only $2.99 a pound. Hopefully this place will return to its glory soon! I love the idea of a classic meat market!
(3)Courtney W.
I found this gem on Yelp (of course!) and with only $30 in my pocket and no money in sight until our next paycheck and in need of some food we grabbed our keys and drove 5 mins to Carfagna's. Honestly, coming from experience, I expected to use every penney and have to put some things back on the shelf to come back for later. This was our first time at Carfagna's, but not the first time for either of us at an Italian butcher shop & bakery. I grew up in northern NJ in a very Italian area not far from NYC. There were Italian bakeries everywhere when I was younger but the favorite was just down the street from me, our very own Italian bakery/deli. I know just how valuable they are to a neighborhood, so when I learned of Carfagna's was only 5 mins from my apartment in Columbus I was excited! It only took me 2 days before I headed over, and our lack of money didnt stop me. The other Yelpers review of Carfagna's had me hopeful there would be good deals and from my experience of the quality Italian markets have, there was no chance of me going across the street to Giant Eagle! The store is small from the outside with plenty of parking spots; the reviews are 100% right about the shotty spaces but I didnt mind. The first thing I noticed was outside...all of the fresh corn and potatoes and other fresh fruits & veggies. There was a sign on the front door telling everyone that Filet Mignon was only $5.99/lb ($15/lb at GE across the street), and italian subs were 2 for $5..an amazing price too. I knew before I even went in that I was about to be blown away. With my game face on I made a bee-line for the meat department in the back of the store. Apparently there's a ticket you're supposed to get before being waited on but we didnt notice; we know for next time. I was here for a few meals, cheap meals, so I focused on the chop meat: meatloaf, ground pork for asian dumplings, and some ground beeg for pasta. I found ground veal in the frozen section for a good price. Total of .75lb veal, .5lb ground chuck, and 1.5lbs ground pork came out around $6 or $7. I cant remember exactly for the veal. The point is that theyre beyond affordable and the quality cant be beat. I'm nuts with meat quality, coming from a background of germaphobs and chef people..I know my meat (I actually worked with a butcher one summer durring college too) and I know quality. This place...I really dont know how they can afford to sell this for so low. I'm not only amazed but very grateful! Because of them I can afford to cook my family the meals they deserve. That's important for this housewife! My husband breaks his butt everyday at work and he deserves a good home cooked meal and because of the prices here, I can do that for him. Not that we cant afford GE or Kroger prices but why pay more for less & poorer quality!? Carfagna's is a no brainer and Im surprised more people dont know about them. So the question I always ask at the end of these reviews..."will I be going back?" ...HELL YEAH Ill be going back!! And Im bringing my friends too! Who can say no to $1.99/lb chicken...fresh chicken that isnt yellow yet. Yeah..its THAT fresh! Their seafood looks really good too. I'm nuts when it comes to shrimp, quality wise. Back home we have a store like WholeFoods but its even more expensive and fancy. I wouldnt even go there for my shrimp, I would have to go to a fish store that custom orders it fresh for you. I would trust Carfagna's fish. Period. There's also a cheese sections, deli (with really yummy looking fresh homemade salads), beer & wine (cheaper too), frozen section equipt with lots of homemade pastas & sauces, and a produce & dairy section. They didnt have the heavy cream I was looking for (potato & leek soup) or the leeks but this kind of store doesnt carry absolutly everything (although they do even have some asian sauces in case you forget your hoisin at the asian market)...just exactly what you need & when you need it. Besides, GE is right across the street on your way home if you still need something. I can tell you one thing...Ill never go to GE as my first stop ever again. Not with Carfagna's so close by. Oh ..and I didnt notice even just one dam fly. I looked too..
(5)Erin Y.
The deli counter here serves up super delish, everything down to the pasta made fresh, can't rave enough about the flavor Italian meals. Food here is just amazing. However, it's a primarily take-out establishment. Even if you dine at one of the tables, your food will be in to go boxes. Might not be the choice for a more impressive ambiance. For sure five stars on food alone, easily. Aside from the deli counter, it also is a grocers with high quality meats, cheese, etc.
(5)Elizabeth S.
there is nothing to say that has not already been said, buy my parents went here when we were children and as an adult i come here, prices for the quality and unbeatable. And just one more work. FRESH FRESH FRESH!!
(5)Max T.
Carfagna's is a great Italian grocer & deli with a great selection of meats and great service. The grocery is small - they often have some farm-fresh fruit and/or vegetable items on the walk out front, and inside there's no wasted space. They do have most general grocery items, but selections for Italian specialty foods are much wider - plenty of types of olive oil, different pastas, Italian soups, etc. The meat & deli counter is huge, and VERY frequently busy enough that you'll need to take a number and wait for someone to come available - though they handle the high demand well and usually have plenty of folks behind the counter helping out. Still, during some very high demand times (around holidays especially), expect a wait. (You'll get an advance warning when trying to park during those times - the small private lot overflows into the service road). They meats are great (don't miss their homemade meatballs and Italian sausage especially. They also make an excellent homemade Chicken Bratwurst), they have great deli offerings, and it's worth saying again, the service is excellent.
(5)Julie P.
Carfagna's is a fine purveyor of two of man's great inventions - Wine and Meat! First the Wine! I would describe the wine section as 'advanced' - extremely well organized and full of variety, with taste descriptions and food parings next to the bottles. If you are looking for a very fine bottle of wine for a special occasion, this is the place to go. On the flip side, for the casual wine drinker, they have a bins with bottles under $10 and even under $5! Then the Meat! Carfagna's gets most of their meat from Ohio producers. They are also a major buyer for the state and county fairs. They don't advertise this much, but they really should. This is something a lot of Columbus people would love to know! Anyway, they have every kind of meat under the sun. If its not in fresh case, its in the freezer. Check the weekly ad (available on the website) for special deals, and plan to buy in bulk (limit 10# of any one item). I am constantly impressed with the quality of the meat and the service. I appreciate how precise and careful the counter staff works, even on the busiest days. This meat is seriously fresh. Other little gems at Cafagna's: ready-to-bake garlic bread; lowfat (not low flavor) chicken meatball mix, premade picnic salads and sides (this is the ONLY place I will buy premade items from a deli counter); and pride of Szeged paprika (simply the best!). The reason I hesitate to give 5 stars is that it can be so horribly busy in here, especially before major holidays. Expect to wait at least an hour on these days. Even normal weekends are a little out of control (30min wait). I have been told that some holidays are so busy, that you have to call in your order days in advance...you will not be served if you just show up. They also have, like, 5 parking spaces. Parking is a nightmare. Maybe its wishful thinking, but I'd love to see a newly remodeled, larger Carfagna's in the future!
(4)Howie O.
Wow! This is a wonderful little gem in Columbus. Great meat market, fancy wine store, olive and cheese shop, and all around Italian grocery. I bought many treats today that were fun and exciting....
(5)Sandy e.
To start: The deli: AMAZING chicken sald, wonderful ham salad, great pasta with marinara. OLIVES at the deli-- any meat--they do not use the pink slime filler either in the ground beef they grind their own every day. THE BREAD--any but especially the cinammon raisin bread. It is to die for. The only draw back--it is really really small. They need a few more locations.
(4)Jenny B.
I don't know what it is about their chicken meatball meat, but that stuff makes amazing meatballs!! I go out of my way just to get this chicken when I want to make meatballs. The seasoning is spot on and when I cook them, they come out perfectly moist! They also have a great selection of frozen fresh pasta to choose from. They have their own jars of pasta sauce that you can pick up around town, but I love getting the fresh sauce from the counter. All of their prepared foods that I have tried have been great!!
(5)Genie B.
How pathetic that in 2013 the racist behavior my parents were subjected to STILL occurs in places like this. My parents were SO excited to hear the RAVE reviews given to them about the selection of Italian meats and specialities. My grandmother was Italian...making my mom half black/half Italian...not that it should matter. The cashier working today didn't give my mom a second glance when she walked through the door held open by my father. However...apparently if you are black, you are CLEARLY not welcome here. She so obviously stared my father up and down with disgust and distaste that my mom just turned around and left, taking my bewildered father along with her. Catch a clue...I see ALL the various ethnicities that shop at your store and THIS is the way two new customers are treated by your staff??? I thought this ignorant behavior was confined to Little Italy establishments in Cleveland...clearly I was wrong. I learned long ago that fighting this type of ignorance is a losing battle but believe me when I tell you that I'm making it my personal mission for as many people as possible know how my poor parents were treated today. It makes me SICK that we actually travelled to your restaurant to try your lousy pizza last week too... Its disgusting to know that your backwards racist views still are so pervasive. If your looking for TRUE ignorance, look in the mirror.
(1)Ann L.
I have shopped at Carfagna's for years and you can't beat their meat or selection of Italian food items. The deli area has several excellent dishes. But today's post is to cover their Catering division. You can't miss when you contract with Carfagna's to cater your next event. Our daughter's wedding yesterday was superb thanks to their skilled staff, excellent food and vast experience.
(5)Tonio K.
Every couple weeks I drive past two other grocery stores to make a trip to Carfagna's. They have several things that I just love and it's well worth supporting this small, local specialty shop. It seems Italian themed, but they also sell products from other countries. They have great sections for wine, cheese, deli, butcher shop, produce, and that's just around the outside walls of the store. It's fun just to walk around and see what you can find. I always find something new to try. Some of my personal, perennial favorites: cheese: very good German mushroom brie, several good French bries, and a wide array of parmesan types wine: wide variety, I generally choose something different each time and I haven't run out of choices yet bread: German Bauernbrot (farmer's rye) and Vollkornbrot (whole/multigrain), plus different Italian cookis pasta sauce: there are several types of house-made sauce but the vodka sauce is amazing deli: they have the expected products like pimento loaf and turkey breast, but they cut it fresh for you right there and will happily make it as thick or as thin as you want butcher shop: the meat is great--chicken meatballs mix, sausage, steaks, chops... and they give great advice on how to prepare it all imported Italian goods: biscotti, pasta, olives, etc. frozen foods: house-made manicotti, cannelloni, wedding soup, lasagna The only bad experience I ever had was buying some mussels that were very smelly. I threw them out, but that was one time out of many many many that've I've been there over there years. I love this place!
(5)Carla D.
Carfagna's resembles a market you would find in Italy. And why not? It's been an Italian family-owned store since 1937. The best part had to be the meats, cheeses and pastas. Selections were extensive and prices were good for the meats. For instance, you could get Italian sausage for $2.99 lb. You could find cheeses for slightly cheaper than in regular grocery stores. The homemade products looked tantalizing, like the eggplant parmesan and the stuffed peppers. Produce and groceries at this place were less than impressive, though, because of little selection. The prices on the produce, however, were fairly cheap, like green bell peppers for 99¢ lb and green onions (aka scallions) two for 99¢. Wine selections at Carfagna's are worth a look. Ask the wine salesman (he's there once a week) for recommendations. He's very helpful as he's been selling wine for some 30 years. I was looking to find a nice white wine to use for my own recipe of pasta fazul. Prices vary but he pointed me toward a decent chardonnay on sale for $5.99. Surprisingly, Carfagna's also has decent prices on imported products of nationalities other than Italy. If you love German food, they sell a box of knödles for $2.50 rather than $4.00 and Weinbrand Bohnen brandy chocolates.
(4)Rich S.
Great prices on good quality meats. Way better value than the supermarket or North Market.
(5)Adam K.
I'm slightly hesitant to say that our family has moved towards the "natural" route when it comes to our food. Especially our meat, produce, and fish. So...we took a shot at checking out Carfagna's and now we're addicted. We get our steak and bacon here...and recently tried their homemade sausage, which was amazing. Will definitely return time & time again!
(5)Josh Y.
nothing much more to say that hasn't already been said but... you can't eat here. there are no tables and the food is cold so you have to warm it up at home. it's supposed to be sold in large quantities for you to cook for parties or your family. it's a market and a deli, not a restaurant. ... service is very nice.
(4)Nathan L.
Italian Meats. Cheeses. Basically all of the good stuff from Italia, and I believe I've said it here before - everything good in this world comes form Italy. But Carfagna's only brings the best of the best to the table. The have all sorts of stuff that I love, and a bunch of stuff that I don't even know about yet and probably will love as soon as I try it. Once a year during football season my friend's mother flies in from New Jersey to cook us Italian sausages and other sorts of good stuff that Italian moms know how to make - and it all starts with a shopping cart full of Carfagna's. The two gripes I have are frivolous in comparison with the goods... the place ain't cheap and it is always packed. If you are planning on going during peak hours just plan on waiting around half and hour just to get checked out. I would not recommend going here during peak grocery store hours if you are only picking up one item - too long of a wait for just one thing.
(5)Ryan A.
great traditional meat market with a surprisingly good wine selection. For a real treat, go to their restaurant on Polaris Pkwy for great italian in a simple, relaxed and very casual environment.
(4)Nick L.
By far the best place to pick up steaks, or any cut of meat. The meatball mix is brilliant as well.
(5)Paul F.
Carfagna's is my place to go for meats and deli items. As a matter of fact, they catered my wedding. I've been shopping here around 30 years. Mostly for meats, cheese and Italian items. You can't beat it. One big advantage over most groceries stores is that you can buy one pork chop or 5 slices of bacon.
(5)Shane L.
I'll never buy meats in a grocery store after experiencing the wonderful meats at Carfagnas. The beef is full of flavor and has just the right texture, the chicken is hormone free and Amish raised, and the sausage is fresh and delicious. Everything is at an amazing price, and it's all packed just for you. There is often a wait, but that's due to the popularity of the place, not poor management, and you're always afforded enough time to make whatever selections your heart (and your stomach) desires. The butchers are very knowledgeable and helpful as well. Just be sure to listen for you number, else you'll get skipped. The deli is equally satisfying with a mixture of fine Boar's Head meats and a selection of imported and domestic Italian meats/cheeses. There is also a wealth of ready to eat specialties. The wine selection rivals much larger establishments, and they have many wonderful choices you'll fine few other places--real diamonds in the rough. Pasta, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar are plentiful, as is candy, but there is very little else there (and what is there can be pricey). You'll likely need to get the rest of your needs at the grocery store.
(5)José R.
A great local meat shop.
(4)Michael R.
I often buy my cuts of meaty goodness here for special occasions... I absolutely love this place.
(5)Scott R.
Update - we finally opened the jarred sauce we bought here a few weeks back. The whole family raved. I cook from scratch just about every weekend, so it's not like the family is just comparing the jarred sauce to Prego. And still, Carfagna's-branded sauce in a jar, drew raves.
(5)Keith W.
Carfagna's is a great small grocery store for Italian specialty ingredients and they have a great meat counter.
(5)Pat B.
Went to Carfagna's to purchase some chicken sausage the person behind the counter seemed to be new but doing fine and packaged the sausage by type and the price as they were marked, when I get to the check out and about to pay someone from the meat department came over opens the paper wrapped raw chicken product directly on their dirty checkout counters and tells me they priced wrong and they were sausage not brauts and some other nonsense as she is counting them and changing the labels and prices.I was somewhat taken back as she acted like I changed the labels and was stealing something I just told her to keep them and left. There is nothing there I can not get someplace else.They also have the saddest plastic display of poorly made fake meat products hanging from their ceiling behind the counter, it must be a sign.
(1)Jennifer J.
We love carfagna's, we go here to buy our meat and we love everything! I recommend the steak burgers, New York strip and potato salad! Great selection of wine as well. It is a small store so be careful when bringing kids, not a lot of room for carts to get through.
(5)Meghan D.
Carfagnas is the best for meat. Any chance we have to ditch Giant Eagle for Carfagnas we do! Also some incredible prepared pastas and salads!
(5)Robin P.
best olive oil !!!! lefas and portoliva !!!!!!
(5)Jacinta Y.
I've only been to Carfagna's once thus far, but it was overall a pretty good experience. I ordered one of their steak boxes, and it was a great deal that gave my family some delicious meat. I also got some bacon that was quite tasty as well. While I was in the store, I perused the shelves and saw several interesting items. It isn't the type of store that'd I'd do my regular grocery shopping at, but there are some great specialty items in addition to the fantastic meat selection. I will say though that the parking lot is fairly inconvenient, especially if it's a busy day. There's probably not much to be done about that, but I figure it's worth giving people a heads up.
(4)Zack R.
I love Carfagna's. I wish I could get up there more often. The selection includes a lot of things you can't find anywhere else in Columbus, and the prices are scary cheap. I love the old school aspect of it, in that the grocery boys will bring your stuff out to your car for you...if you need help. Their house made sauces are incredible, and their meat case looks like heaven.
(5)Leah S.
This is one of Columbus' best grocery institutions. If you're serious about good cuts of meat it's Carfagna's or nothin'. Their bacon-wrapped filet mignons are so delicious and well priced at $7.99 a steak. They are the ultimate treat for grilling season and the bacon serves as a fun surprise for guests. Their meatball mix is sold by the pound and begs you to roll them in little balls to then be dunked in their many varieties of pasta sauces. I have the best memories of "Pasta Dinners" from elementary school when Carfagna's would provide the meal for a fundraiser. Just thinking about the fresh pasta (also holy moly you'll never want boxed pasta again after trying their fresh pastas!) and steaming plates of meatballs in marinara sauce elicits some serious nostalgic memories for me. Which while I'm at it you must must must buy their pasta sauces. My favorites are the marinara and vodka sauces. After trying this you'll want to toss out your Emerald branded jars because BA BAM Carfagna's are 10x better. When ever I'm home in CBUS I'm sure to stock up on the jars, because I've had friends request it by name. Carfagna's even throws in a free 1 lb bag of pasta with every jar purchase. Now that's a customer-focused business. And, man, I haven't even mentioned the chicken salad. We buy 2 pound containers for my family and they're obliterated in a matter of hours. In fact, since I've began writing this review my stock has dwindled by a 1/4th. Also worthy of mentioning are the BBQ ribs and the very well priced wine selection. Just go, ok? I promise you will be a repeat customer. Drink the pasta sauce from the jar and count it as a veg serving for the day. You'll be happy.
(5)Geneva D.
Great place to shop for high quality groceries, meat and deli items. Have happily been shopping there for many many years @ previous and current location. Really it's the best.
(5)Valerie W.
Ohhhhhhhhh, Columbus (esp. the north side!!) you have a true United Nations of international markets over there!! Do you know how lucky you are?? You can "circle the globe" and never leave the 432... zip codes!! Kroger whoooo?!? I'm not a big meat eater (plus, I live close to an hr. away...) but this is a carnivore's fantasy come to life!! it's crazy busy and reminds me (mama mia!!) of all the open air markets in the "old country," but if you need a hunk of meat, you'll find it here, looking super fresh and less grey and SAD than in the supermarkets (sorry, vegetarians!!) If you're not here for the meat, just wander the aisles and TRY not to drool all over the place!! When I lived in this neck of the woods, I'd stroll from aisle to aisle and dream of the wonderful multi-course meals I had in Italy (and occasionally dared to recreate!!) Pastas, wines, cheeses, gorgeous olive oils and vinegars too many to count, sweets, assorted tchochkes (oops, wrong ethnic group!!), pastries... EVERYTHING Italian under one roof!! If in the area, which I was for a quick drive through just recently, this place is a MUST to stock up on the "good stuff!!" Buon appetito!!
(5)Tabitha F.
Let's talk about meat, baby! Carfagna's is a fabulous meat market. We buy just about all our meat here. They always have great deals (especially on steaks)! Meatball mix and home made sausages are fantastic. They can pack your meat with a variety of marinades. Carfagna's also has a great selection of wine and cheeses. Italian deli meats and baked treats are another cherry on top. They have pastas and their own sauce concoctions too - you just can't loose with Carfagna's!
(5)Shaun H.
Went over to Carfagna's meat market for the second time this past Saturday. My first trip was on July 4th and we got some superb ground chuck (80/20) that made the best hamburgers I've ever tasted come off of my grill. The hot dogs we got, all beef, were also superb. I had read some more Yelp! reviews after my 1st trip that indicated the best thing to get here is the sausage so when I decided to make pizza on the grill this weekend I decided to get some of their pepperoni and sausage. I also was going to make some nice chicken wings along with my grilled pizza so I headed down to Carfagna's for my second trip. As always the place was busy, filled with folks in front of the meat counter with their tickets. Be sure to get a ticket when you first get there as that's how they wait on folks to keep everything orderly. And don't worry if there's a lot of people there, they have a lot of people waiting on folks so the wait is never that long. I got ticket 99 and after about 5 minutes, or possibly less, a nice young lady called my number. I first got some freshly cut pepperoni for my grilled pizza and it was quite tasty (I sampled one) and then next got a sausage patty. I didn't see that they had any ground up, most were in hot dog type form so I just went ahead and got one patty for $1.50. As it turns out it was the perfect size for my 2 medium pizzas I was going to grill (I simply cooked it in a pan and diced it up as I cooked). Right as we were discussing pepperoni a manager came over and strongly recommended I check out their freshly made pepperoni bread. Being the pizza fan I am I took him up on that and got a loaf for $5.49. It's basically a really nice white bread with pepperoni and mozzarella baked into it. You heat it up for 7 or 8 minutes in the oven or a toaster oven, then when it comes out drop a piece of cheese, or some shredded mozzarella and enjoy. And the manager was right, it's DELICIOUS!! Highly recommended!! The loaf was huge so I took some to work to share with my co-workers. I definitely will be buying this again my next trip to Carfagna's as it really hit the spot. Next, we went over to the chicken. They had a weekend special of 25 wings for $10.00 and it was a mix of drummies and wings. The only issue was my fiance didn't really want many drummies. So the lady helping me was able to sell me individual wings at 55 cents each. I got 17 wings and 7 drummies. I also got some of their barbecue and buffalo hot sauce which were really well priced and were an excellent marinade for my wings. Later on that day we grilled up everything and wow..it all came out great. Carfagna's is legendary in the meat community and for good reason. They really bring the best and most fresh ingredients you can buy. If you just bought a grill, or have been grilling for years, this should be your first stop on the weekend to stock up for a cook out. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! P.S. as others have said the other non-meat stuff here such as chips and the like are a bit expensive but not too bad if you just forgot something at the grocery store. I'd definitely hit up Krogers or someplace though before you come here for your meat as that can add up.
(5)Emily O.
My friends and I went there a few nights ago for the first time. We ordered the Carfagna Bread, Italian Wedding Soup, Salad with house dressing, Cheese Manicotti, Eggplant Parmesan, and Spicy Creamy Chicken Rigatelli. We only tried the traditional sauce and I am in LOVE! The service was excellent. You can buy any of their sauces and dressing in the restaurant and I think it is cheaper there than at the local grocery store.
(5)Liz M.
i LOVE this place. 5 stars for Nostalgia! Carfagnas really takes me back with it's old school Italian Market. Makes me think of stories my Grandpa tells me about his dad's Italian market in Cleveland. The smells, the decor, the family. Good stuff! I just like hanging out in there! But, what really brings me back is their meat counter. Great Italian Sausage and tons of selection all for reasonable and even cheap prices! Wait, I mean what brings me back is the selection of Italian imports at decent prices. I mean, what brings me back is their wine and cheese selection. OK, maybe what brings me back is their bakery (great sub buns!). OK it's EVERYTHING! What sent me there last night was their specials (you can view their circular online!)! $2.99 sausage (any kind) $2.25/lbs fresh ground chuck (I know GE had is for $1.99, but go local, people!) AND dozen jumbo eggs $1.79! What will keep me coming back is the great people who helped me get everything I needed and made me feel welcome and the sweet offer of them to carry my 2 bags to my car in the freezing cold!
(5)Thomas S.
This is a must stop during the holidays. Enormous wine selection and great specialty foods. This place has all of the hard to find items and be prepared to take a number if you need something from behind the counter - but the line is worth the wait.
(5)Jeremy B.
For years my Dad would make trips down to Columbus for work and while he was there he would grab a couple bacon-wrapped Filets to bring home and grill. These were always excellent, but I never really knew where he was getting them from or what else they had to offer. I finally went there for myself on the way home last summer and was blown away. Carfagna's is the coolest little shop, but you wouldn't guess how much they have to offer by looking at it from the outside. It reminds me almost of a Jungle Jim's(much, much smaller) in the sense that they have lots of products from foreign countries but a wide variety of prices and qualities. My Dad had reason to go to the butcher frequently, because they had some excellent offerings(their sausage is excellent). They also have lots of other items that are wonderful, like their cheeses and produce section. They had some wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits and I was able to get the ingredients here to make one of the best pasta dishes I have ever made. Carfagna's is the bomb, yo!
(5)Bryant M.
Oh holy shit. I am in awe of Carfagna's. Seriously. This place rocks! I love good local markets, and this place is going straight to the top of my list! And how authentically Italian is Carfagna's? Well, my friend that just got back from a trip to Italy said she saw things here that she hasn't seen since her vacay. Here's a list of the things I loved: * chicken - boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $1.99/lb; and there's all types of crazy marinades they'll do for free! * meat - all types of fantastic-looking meats at really great prices * homemade sauce - so damn good! * homemade pastas * Italian sweets and goodies * wine! * cheese! * homemade bread! I wouldn't go here for fruits and veggies, but that's just not their specialty. Carfagna's totally fills a niche that none of my other spots can!
(5)Amy S.
I accidentally stumbled upon this place the other day- what a hidden treasure! Apparently I've been living under a rock for not knowing about Carfagnas- I thought it was just a restaurant! It looked a little sketchy upon walking in but I was pleasantly surprised with what I found once inside. I tried some of their deli meat and also got some of their marinaded chicken breasts. I have yet to cook them, but I'm sure they won't disappoint. Their prices were very reasonable for a specialty store, and the staff was extremely nice and helpful. Now that I know this store exists, I'll be shopping here pretty frequently.
(5)Kyle L.
This its one of my favorite Italian markets in Columbus. Get the cheese bread, get a gym membership, get some self control, and then get another loaf of cheese bread. Great steaks, great cheese selection, decent wine section, and great prepared foods. Some things are extremely overpriced so be careful when buying olive oils, condiments, packaged food. A lot of it can be purchased elsewhere far cheaper. Great selection of seasonal produce as well.
(4)Tom D.
I was told the meat department was top-notch here but learned they don't carry any grades of "prime" steak -- just "choice," which is a lower grade and the only grade of meat I seem to find in Columbus. There were a lot of flies about inside, and it was hot in there too. I did like the selection of wines -- priced right, too. But parking is a hassle. The lot is very narrow and awkwardly shaped and hard to get in and out of. Looks like a good place to pick up a few dings in the car door.
(3)Sandy W.
Came here for the first time on a Saturday night, and I am a fan. Got a nice hunk of English roast for 3.49/lb, a whole chicken for 1.99/lb, and homemade sausages for 3.99/lb. I didn't have to wait in line for long, with just enough time for me to browse the meat choices available and make some decisions. I think the homemade sausages are a great deal. They're so much tastier than the ones you get at Kroger and Giant Eagle and go for about the same price per pound, if not lower. Also, the cashier actually knew how to bag my groceries. She bagged the meat separately from everything else, and made sure to double bag it. And she covered the pasta sauce jar in a paper bag. This is such a welcome surprise from the ineptness of many a cashier I've had at Kroger/GE. Too bad this place isn't closer to where I live!
(5)Rachel B.
After all the great Yelp reviews, I thought I'd be walking into a wonderland of Italian goodies! However, I was sorely disappointed! The smell that hit us as we walked through the door was simply awful. It permeated our clothing! The offerings were just more expensive duplicates of typical grocer staples . The dry pastas had several varieties not found in your typical store. The meat counter, which I thought would be the bees knees, ended up being a bee sting. The meat didn't look too fresh, it smelled around the counter and the pickings were slim! One bright note was the Italian sausages were only $2.99 a pound. Hopefully this place will return to its glory soon! I love the idea of a classic meat market!
(3)Courtney W.
I found this gem on Yelp (of course!) and with only $30 in my pocket and no money in sight until our next paycheck and in need of some food we grabbed our keys and drove 5 mins to Carfagna's. Honestly, coming from experience, I expected to use every penney and have to put some things back on the shelf to come back for later. This was our first time at Carfagna's, but not the first time for either of us at an Italian butcher shop & bakery. I grew up in northern NJ in a very Italian area not far from NYC. There were Italian bakeries everywhere when I was younger but the favorite was just down the street from me, our very own Italian bakery/deli. I know just how valuable they are to a neighborhood, so when I learned of Carfagna's was only 5 mins from my apartment in Columbus I was excited! It only took me 2 days before I headed over, and our lack of money didnt stop me. The other Yelpers review of Carfagna's had me hopeful there would be good deals and from my experience of the quality Italian markets have, there was no chance of me going across the street to Giant Eagle! The store is small from the outside with plenty of parking spots; the reviews are 100% right about the shotty spaces but I didnt mind. The first thing I noticed was outside...all of the fresh corn and potatoes and other fresh fruits & veggies. There was a sign on the front door telling everyone that Filet Mignon was only $5.99/lb ($15/lb at GE across the street), and italian subs were 2 for $5..an amazing price too. I knew before I even went in that I was about to be blown away. With my game face on I made a bee-line for the meat department in the back of the store. Apparently there's a ticket you're supposed to get before being waited on but we didnt notice; we know for next time. I was here for a few meals, cheap meals, so I focused on the chop meat: meatloaf, ground pork for asian dumplings, and some ground beeg for pasta. I found ground veal in the frozen section for a good price. Total of .75lb veal, .5lb ground chuck, and 1.5lbs ground pork came out around $6 or $7. I cant remember exactly for the veal. The point is that theyre beyond affordable and the quality cant be beat. I'm nuts with meat quality, coming from a background of germaphobs and chef people..I know my meat (I actually worked with a butcher one summer durring college too) and I know quality. This place...I really dont know how they can afford to sell this for so low. I'm not only amazed but very grateful! Because of them I can afford to cook my family the meals they deserve. That's important for this housewife! My husband breaks his butt everyday at work and he deserves a good home cooked meal and because of the prices here, I can do that for him. Not that we cant afford GE or Kroger prices but why pay more for less & poorer quality!? Carfagna's is a no brainer and Im surprised more people dont know about them. So the question I always ask at the end of these reviews..."will I be going back?" ...HELL YEAH Ill be going back!! And Im bringing my friends too! Who can say no to $1.99/lb chicken...fresh chicken that isnt yellow yet. Yeah..its THAT fresh! Their seafood looks really good too. I'm nuts when it comes to shrimp, quality wise. Back home we have a store like WholeFoods but its even more expensive and fancy. I wouldnt even go there for my shrimp, I would have to go to a fish store that custom orders it fresh for you. I would trust Carfagna's fish. Period. There's also a cheese sections, deli (with really yummy looking fresh homemade salads), beer & wine (cheaper too), frozen section equipt with lots of homemade pastas & sauces, and a produce & dairy section. They didnt have the heavy cream I was looking for (potato & leek soup) or the leeks but this kind of store doesnt carry absolutly everything (although they do even have some asian sauces in case you forget your hoisin at the asian market)...just exactly what you need & when you need it. Besides, GE is right across the street on your way home if you still need something. I can tell you one thing...Ill never go to GE as my first stop ever again. Not with Carfagna's so close by. Oh ..and I didnt notice even just one dam fly. I looked too..
(5)Kevin S.
Just stopped at Carfagnas. The best old fashioned Capacola in town!
(5)Jerry C.
Please understand, the two star rating was for today's (10/3/2013) visit only. I have been going to Carfagna's for years. I have always enjoyed their steaks and chicken. Ok, What was I not satisfied with today? They were having a sale on thick cut T-Bone steaks for $7.99 per pound. They were out of them in the meat case and my server said it would be a few minutes for the butcher to cut them for me. After a few minutes he handed me a paper wrapped package telling me there were two 18 oz T-Bones in the package. When I got home and was preparing the steaks I pulled them out of the package and found that what I really got was a 10 oz strip with a 7 oz bone attached to it. Anyone familiar with the T-Bone steak will tell you it has meat on both sides of the bone (see photos), mine did not. Don't get me wrong, I love Carfagna's and will continue to shop there but I learned a valuable lesson. Always see the steaks before you purchase them.
(2)Jess G.
As someone who grew up in western New York state with an Italian family, I've been missing not only home-cooked, carbohydrate-dense meals, but also the experience of small town markets and delis. More importantly, however, I've in need of authentic hot Italian sausage. It's so easy to find good bratwurst and other types of sausages in Columbus...where was the good Italian stuff?! Some talk amongst food-loving peers, and all roads pointed to Carfagna's. Imagine my delight as I walked in to find a small but bustling market with a gigantic meat counter and aisle upon aisle of delicious imported Italian (and other) goods. I was in my glory. I hastily grabbed six boxes of certain pasta shapes that are difficult to find in Columbus. My boyfriend, who is not Italian, likes to point out that moment of crazed glee. If you're looking for different shapes that you can't manage to find at Giant Eagle or Kroger, or even Whole Foods, I would definitely check out Carfagna's. (Side note: What's with pasta prices in this city, anyway? I miss the days of being able to buy De Cecco for $1.19 or Barilla for 89 cents in New York. I guess it's all supply and demand.) Onto the meat... Okay, you MUST go to Carfagna's for the meat. You will walk out with some amazing deals and awesome quality meat. We purchased a pork shoulder (roughly 2 lbs.), a half-pound of hot Italian sausage, three bone-in pork chops, 2 lbs. of boneless chicken breasts (at $1.99/lb.), a half-pound each of ground beef and ground veal, and one gigantic porterhouse steak (at $6.99/lb.) for roughly $35. All in all, including my many boxes of pasta and Carfagna's own canned tomatoes, the bill came to about $50. Though I've been eating meat like it's going out of business, I'm nearing the end of my Carfagna's stockpile. I'll be making a trip out here again soon.
(5)Mike I.
This is the best spaghetti sauce you can buy in a store, hands down. Not to mention their meat selection is amazing- even the hamburger meat is a cut above the stuff you get at Kroger or Giant Eagle.
(5)Lori B.
We make the trip sometimes just to get the fabulous bacon-wrapped filets. Best steaks in town and a great price. The Antipasti Salad is also amazing. Great cheeses and wine as well. Good selection of grocery items, espresso, and baked goods. Local produce. Love this place.
(5)Msvega B.
Great price on meats
(5)Sabrina L.
Carfagna's get five stars based on their chicken alone. Unlike regular grocery stores you can buy chicken strips here, already cut up, in any quantity you like. They're less than at Meijer or Giant Eagle and they have seven or eight different marinades that they'll pour into the bag with them that make them heavenly when you cook them at home. They have breasts and half chickens too, always well below the price you'd pay elsewhere. It's probably my best grocery find in all of Columbus. As for the rest of the store the wine selection is good, the cheeses are good and the pre-pattied hamburgers were a huge hit at our last cookout. It can be a little expensive for some of the staples (vegetable oil for instance) but if you're getting your meat anywhere else in the city you're cheating yourself.
(5)Shannon M.
Has anyone ever had the cheesy bread from the farmers market in Madison WI? If so you know what bread heaven looks like. Well, I have found bread nirvana @ Carfagna's. A VERY close cousin to the Madison bread was discovered here! While waiting for my number to be called I wondered over to the fresh bread section and found the cheesy deliciousness. This is a great "family" style market with a wide array of deli and meat selections. I would love to see a bit more fish at a better price but that is a minor fuss. I always buy my chicken breasts here as they are $1.99 lb year round and they are GIANT. They have some already marinated as well that are quite tasty. They also have some standard grocery store fare so if you are in a pinch. Overall a great value for your meat dollar. And do your self a favor, get the bread.
(4)Sara C.
I've been trying to be more conscientious about the food I buy, especially the meat, and since I can't always buy the expensive organic, all-natural $8/lb stuff at Whole Foods, this is my go-to place for quality meat. The prices actually aren't much more expensive than conventional grocery stores, and they often have sales which make it cheaper! I got chicken leg quarters for 59c/lb, ground chuck for $2.50/lb, and a huge pot roast for $3.39/lb. I bought some roasted turkey breast here for sandwiches, and it has effectively spoiled me for any other lunch meat.
(4)Randy S.
Not many things make me wish I lived near 161, but Carfagna's is one of them. This is a real-deal Italian grocery store. With aisles of imported pastas, homemade sauces and other goods, the store is well stocked enough without the meats. Ah, the meats... The meat counter at Cargfagna's fills up not just the back wall of the good-sized store, but also part of the right wall. They sell in bulk. They sell by the cut. It's great. Their selection of Italian meats -- and meats in general -- is unequaled in Columbus. The striking authenticity of Carfagna's is helped by the fact that it is family owned and operated. But not THAT family...at least I don't think so! There is a cool map at the front of the store where descendants of Italian immigrants can mark what part of the old country their families hail from. Great selection, surprisingly good prices and cool atmosphere make Carfagna's a must stop.
(4)Bill M.
Overall a good store and an asset to the neighborhood. Steak and Roast beef is really good, but for fresh chicken wings I go to Weilands. Its too much effort for Carfagna's to cut the wing a Buffalo wing should be.
(4)Erin Y.
The deli counter here serves up super delish, everything down to the pasta made fresh, can't rave enough about the flavor Italian meals. Food here is just amazing. However, it's a primarily take-out establishment. Even if you dine at one of the tables, your food will be in to go boxes. Might not be the choice for a more impressive ambiance. For sure five stars on food alone, easily. Aside from the deli counter, it also is a grocers with high quality meats, cheese, etc.
(5)Nadine S.
Love that i found this italian specialty store and meat market. They have an excellent meat, wine, cheese and cooked food selection. Don't forget to try the homemade pasta sauces!
(4)Julie P.
Carfagna's is a fine purveyor of two of man's great inventions - Wine and Meat! First the Wine! I would describe the wine section as 'advanced' - extremely well organized and full of variety, with taste descriptions and food parings next to the bottles. If you are looking for a very fine bottle of wine for a special occasion, this is the place to go. On the flip side, for the casual wine drinker, they have a bins with bottles under $10 and even under $5! Then the Meat! Carfagna's gets most of their meat from Ohio producers. They are also a major buyer for the state and county fairs. They don't advertise this much, but they really should. This is something a lot of Columbus people would love to know! Anyway, they have every kind of meat under the sun. If its not in fresh case, its in the freezer. Check the weekly ad (available on the website) for special deals, and plan to buy in bulk (limit 10# of any one item). I am constantly impressed with the quality of the meat and the service. I appreciate how precise and careful the counter staff works, even on the busiest days. This meat is seriously fresh. Other little gems at Cafagna's: ready-to-bake garlic bread; lowfat (not low flavor) chicken meatball mix, premade picnic salads and sides (this is the ONLY place I will buy premade items from a deli counter); and pride of Szeged paprika (simply the best!). The reason I hesitate to give 5 stars is that it can be so horribly busy in here, especially before major holidays. Expect to wait at least an hour on these days. Even normal weekends are a little out of control (30min wait). I have been told that some holidays are so busy, that you have to call in your order days in advance...you will not be served if you just show up. They also have, like, 5 parking spaces. Parking is a nightmare. Maybe its wishful thinking, but I'd love to see a newly remodeled, larger Carfagna's in the future!
(4)Howie O.
Wow! This is a wonderful little gem in Columbus. Great meat market, fancy wine store, olive and cheese shop, and all around Italian grocery. I bought many treats today that were fun and exciting....
(5)Sandy e.
To start: The deli: AMAZING chicken sald, wonderful ham salad, great pasta with marinara. OLIVES at the deli-- any meat--they do not use the pink slime filler either in the ground beef they grind their own every day. THE BREAD--any but especially the cinammon raisin bread. It is to die for. The only draw back--it is really really small. They need a few more locations.
(4)Jenny B.
I don't know what it is about their chicken meatball meat, but that stuff makes amazing meatballs!! I go out of my way just to get this chicken when I want to make meatballs. The seasoning is spot on and when I cook them, they come out perfectly moist! They also have a great selection of frozen fresh pasta to choose from. They have their own jars of pasta sauce that you can pick up around town, but I love getting the fresh sauce from the counter. All of their prepared foods that I have tried have been great!!
(5)Genie B.
How pathetic that in 2013 the racist behavior my parents were subjected to STILL occurs in places like this. My parents were SO excited to hear the RAVE reviews given to them about the selection of Italian meats and specialities. My grandmother was Italian...making my mom half black/half Italian...not that it should matter. The cashier working today didn't give my mom a second glance when she walked through the door held open by my father. However...apparently if you are black, you are CLEARLY not welcome here. She so obviously stared my father up and down with disgust and distaste that my mom just turned around and left, taking my bewildered father along with her. Catch a clue...I see ALL the various ethnicities that shop at your store and THIS is the way two new customers are treated by your staff??? I thought this ignorant behavior was confined to Little Italy establishments in Cleveland...clearly I was wrong. I learned long ago that fighting this type of ignorance is a losing battle but believe me when I tell you that I'm making it my personal mission for as many people as possible know how my poor parents were treated today. It makes me SICK that we actually travelled to your restaurant to try your lousy pizza last week too... Its disgusting to know that your backwards racist views still are so pervasive. If your looking for TRUE ignorance, look in the mirror.
(1)Ann L.
I have shopped at Carfagna's for years and you can't beat their meat or selection of Italian food items. The deli area has several excellent dishes. But today's post is to cover their Catering division. You can't miss when you contract with Carfagna's to cater your next event. Our daughter's wedding yesterday was superb thanks to their skilled staff, excellent food and vast experience.
(5)Josh Y.
nothing much more to say that hasn't already been said but... you can't eat here. there are no tables and the food is cold so you have to warm it up at home. it's supposed to be sold in large quantities for you to cook for parties or your family. it's a market and a deli, not a restaurant. ... service is very nice.
(4)Tonio K.
Every couple weeks I drive past two other grocery stores to make a trip to Carfagna's. They have several things that I just love and it's well worth supporting this small, local specialty shop. It seems Italian themed, but they also sell products from other countries. They have great sections for wine, cheese, deli, butcher shop, produce, and that's just around the outside walls of the store. It's fun just to walk around and see what you can find. I always find something new to try. Some of my personal, perennial favorites: cheese: very good German mushroom brie, several good French bries, and a wide array of parmesan types wine: wide variety, I generally choose something different each time and I haven't run out of choices yet bread: German Bauernbrot (farmer's rye) and Vollkornbrot (whole/multigrain), plus different Italian cookis pasta sauce: there are several types of house-made sauce but the vodka sauce is amazing deli: they have the expected products like pimento loaf and turkey breast, but they cut it fresh for you right there and will happily make it as thick or as thin as you want butcher shop: the meat is great--chicken meatballs mix, sausage, steaks, chops... and they give great advice on how to prepare it all imported Italian goods: biscotti, pasta, olives, etc. frozen foods: house-made manicotti, cannelloni, wedding soup, lasagna The only bad experience I ever had was buying some mussels that were very smelly. I threw them out, but that was one time out of many many many that've I've been there over there years. I love this place!
(5)Carla D.
Carfagna's resembles a market you would find in Italy. And why not? It's been an Italian family-owned store since 1937. The best part had to be the meats, cheeses and pastas. Selections were extensive and prices were good for the meats. For instance, you could get Italian sausage for $2.99 lb. You could find cheeses for slightly cheaper than in regular grocery stores. The homemade products looked tantalizing, like the eggplant parmesan and the stuffed peppers. Produce and groceries at this place were less than impressive, though, because of little selection. The prices on the produce, however, were fairly cheap, like green bell peppers for 99¢ lb and green onions (aka scallions) two for 99¢. Wine selections at Carfagna's are worth a look. Ask the wine salesman (he's there once a week) for recommendations. He's very helpful as he's been selling wine for some 30 years. I was looking to find a nice white wine to use for my own recipe of pasta fazul. Prices vary but he pointed me toward a decent chardonnay on sale for $5.99. Surprisingly, Carfagna's also has decent prices on imported products of nationalities other than Italy. If you love German food, they sell a box of knödles for $2.50 rather than $4.00 and Weinbrand Bohnen brandy chocolates.
(4)Rich S.
Great prices on good quality meats. Way better value than the supermarket or North Market.
(5)Adam K.
I'm slightly hesitant to say that our family has moved towards the "natural" route when it comes to our food. Especially our meat, produce, and fish. So...we took a shot at checking out Carfagna's and now we're addicted. We get our steak and bacon here...and recently tried their homemade sausage, which was amazing. Will definitely return time & time again!
(5)Nathan L.
Italian Meats. Cheeses. Basically all of the good stuff from Italia, and I believe I've said it here before - everything good in this world comes form Italy. But Carfagna's only brings the best of the best to the table. The have all sorts of stuff that I love, and a bunch of stuff that I don't even know about yet and probably will love as soon as I try it. Once a year during football season my friend's mother flies in from New Jersey to cook us Italian sausages and other sorts of good stuff that Italian moms know how to make - and it all starts with a shopping cart full of Carfagna's. The two gripes I have are frivolous in comparison with the goods... the place ain't cheap and it is always packed. If you are planning on going during peak hours just plan on waiting around half and hour just to get checked out. I would not recommend going here during peak grocery store hours if you are only picking up one item - too long of a wait for just one thing.
(5)Ryan A.
great traditional meat market with a surprisingly good wine selection. For a real treat, go to their restaurant on Polaris Pkwy for great italian in a simple, relaxed and very casual environment.
(4)Elizabeth S.
there is nothing to say that has not already been said, buy my parents went here when we were children and as an adult i come here, prices for the quality and unbeatable. And just one more work. FRESH FRESH FRESH!!
(5)Max T.
Carfagna's is a great Italian grocer & deli with a great selection of meats and great service. The grocery is small - they often have some farm-fresh fruit and/or vegetable items on the walk out front, and inside there's no wasted space. They do have most general grocery items, but selections for Italian specialty foods are much wider - plenty of types of olive oil, different pastas, Italian soups, etc. The meat & deli counter is huge, and VERY frequently busy enough that you'll need to take a number and wait for someone to come available - though they handle the high demand well and usually have plenty of folks behind the counter helping out. Still, during some very high demand times (around holidays especially), expect a wait. (You'll get an advance warning when trying to park during those times - the small private lot overflows into the service road). They meats are great (don't miss their homemade meatballs and Italian sausage especially. They also make an excellent homemade Chicken Bratwurst), they have great deli offerings, and it's worth saying again, the service is excellent.
(5)Nick L.
By far the best place to pick up steaks, or any cut of meat. The meatball mix is brilliant as well.
(5)Paul F.
Carfagna's is my place to go for meats and deli items. As a matter of fact, they catered my wedding. I've been shopping here around 30 years. Mostly for meats, cheese and Italian items. You can't beat it. One big advantage over most groceries stores is that you can buy one pork chop or 5 slices of bacon.
(5)Shane L.
I'll never buy meats in a grocery store after experiencing the wonderful meats at Carfagnas. The beef is full of flavor and has just the right texture, the chicken is hormone free and Amish raised, and the sausage is fresh and delicious. Everything is at an amazing price, and it's all packed just for you. There is often a wait, but that's due to the popularity of the place, not poor management, and you're always afforded enough time to make whatever selections your heart (and your stomach) desires. The butchers are very knowledgeable and helpful as well. Just be sure to listen for you number, else you'll get skipped. The deli is equally satisfying with a mixture of fine Boar's Head meats and a selection of imported and domestic Italian meats/cheeses. There is also a wealth of ready to eat specialties. The wine selection rivals much larger establishments, and they have many wonderful choices you'll fine few other places--real diamonds in the rough. Pasta, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar are plentiful, as is candy, but there is very little else there (and what is there can be pricey). You'll likely need to get the rest of your needs at the grocery store.
(5)José R.
A great local meat shop.
(4)Michael R.
I often buy my cuts of meaty goodness here for special occasions... I absolutely love this place.
(5)Scott R.
Update - we finally opened the jarred sauce we bought here a few weeks back. The whole family raved. I cook from scratch just about every weekend, so it's not like the family is just comparing the jarred sauce to Prego. And still, Carfagna's-branded sauce in a jar, drew raves.
(5)Keith W.
Carfagna's is a great small grocery store for Italian specialty ingredients and they have a great meat counter.
(5)Jen M.
I'm a big fan for reasons that lots of other folks have articulated here. I buy about 90% of my beef, pork, poultry, and deli meat at Carfagna's. The roast beef is to die for, basically tastes just like a good steak. Some other assorted tips and tricks: If you make a lot of soup, don't miss the prosciutto rough-end cubes in the little vacuum pack near the salt pork, in the case across from the chicken department. Carfagna's brings in a special guy just to shave their prosciutto for the deli section, and he saves all the hard ends. They're dirt cheap to buy and add tons of flavor to your food. If you're a frequent flyer at Carfagna's, they have an ongoing "Buy $100 in gift cards, get $10 bonus certificate free" promotion. The credit is good at Carfagna's and their restaurant in Polaris, Carfagna's kitchen. This is a full-service meat market, so don't be afraid to ask for specifically which piece of meat you want out of the case, ask for the biggest or smallest piece, ask if they might have a particular cut in the back, etc. They've got half a dozen types of sausage. The meat cutters will gladly help you pick out one that's ideal for your needs. I'm partial to the Festival sausage, which is mostly mild but has a wee little kick to it--just enough to give it personality.
(5)Susan R.
LOVE Carfagna's. I don't have much new to add to what has been said, but I will chime in with what I personally love about the store in case you, too, are looking for a store that suits these needs. *Meat. MEAT. We do a lot of our grocery shoppin' at Costco, actually (bulk fruits and veg for smoothies!), but I buy my meat from Carfagna's. They have inexpensive sausage that is wicked tasty. I'm loving the Grandpa Carfagna's sausage and I hope that's not a limited-time flavor; it's my favorite. I also love picking up pork shoulder there, which they have at a good price in reasonable sizes, and it's not even cut up into stupid "steaks" (SHOULDER SHOULD NOT MAKE STEAKS, BEXLEY KROGER). I'll buy enough for a couple of weeks at a time to save trips, and because they're affordable, I can manage this easily. *Deli items. They have *really* good pastrami for being in Columbus. And they let me try it before I decided to buy it, which is always a plus. *Cheese. Love me some cheese, although I wish it were organized a bit better and the selection was a little more consistent. (One week, for example, I found some good, reasonably-priced domestic parmigiana; it hasn't been in evidence since.) I'd be tickled pink if they had a solid, reasonably-priced pecorino Romano in a fist-sized chunk that I didn't have to pay more than $5-7 to walk out the door with. I would buy it all the time. Still, they have a real-deal cheese section and that puts them far above a lot of other grocers. *I do buy a few produce items here. When their tomatoes aren't gently rotting (which I've been noticing more here toward the end of the season), they are fantastic in-season. Good prices on zucchini, Brussels sprouts. I got some of their mushrooms and they did taste a little weird, though. Not bad, just weird. *Dry/shelf stable goods: If you're looking for an Italian ingredient, go here. They're likely to have it. They have a few other imported European goods, but it's very Italian-centric. And their sauce? AMAZING. Best jarred pasta sauce I have ever eaten. *They stock cold cans of San Pellegrino Limonata. Mmm. SO GOOD. And hubs doesn't like it, so I don't have to share.
(5)John N.
THE butcher in town. Period. When you need quality and really great prices, this is where to go. I drive a distance for it.
(5)Matthew L.
Why in the 9 Hells would you buy steak from Giant Eagle or Kroger, when you could go and get FAR superior steaks for less here??? Well, because you don't know it exists, of course! Best kept secret in town, it'd seem, and rightly so. Fillets for $7 at MOST, and sometimes on sale for $5 a pop (and let me tell you, these are great fillets!), very good delmonicos and sirloin steaks, their steakburgers are amazing, and the party wings great and a great value. They also have something called a "hot shot" which is a pepper stuffed with prosciutto which is a great mix of flavors, and their Italian salad is also a nice treat (chunks of moz, pep and other various goodies). Haven't tried their seafood, though it looks good, and their pasta and pasta sauce is also VERY worth it (LOVE LOVE LOVE the Vodka sauce). Their stuffed chicken should be avoided, and I'll admit that the staff though very good does seem to take some time to warm to newbs - I don't think I got a smile for at LEAST four or five visits, though they are good. PS, parking CAN be tricky when they get super busy. Great wine and beer selection, and the icing on the cake? Zagnut bars at the checkout. FTW.
(4)Mindy L.
I have continued shopping for ALL of my meat at Carfagna's. To be 100% truthful, I have bought a few things at Whole Foods (a chuck roast) or Trader Joe's (lunch meat) to save time, because Carfagna's is out of the way for me. I have still been satisfied with the price, selection and quality as well as the customer service every time I shop there. I have also been going about every two weeks since I wrote my first review and even though it's summer I've still not smelled anything "funky" like another reviewer reported, nor have I heard anyone else complain of it either.
(5)Chris K.
As inappropriate as this sounds... BEST MEAT IN TOWN. Carfagna's has a long tradition of offering great food to Columbus. Quality meats, great bread choices, and it feels like you've stepped back into the days of a corner market.
(4)Ray W.
Been going to Carfagna's for many years. My favorites - their different pasta sauces - awesome. Next, their sausages are the best. Then, the sub buns. Yea, they look like discount store packaged bread buns, HOWEVER, just grab a pack or two, along with their mozerrella and make some garlic cheese bread in the oven, its awesome. Other favorites include their deli meats and the beef is good too.
(5)Tony T.
I've been shopping at Carfagna's for about 5 years. Recently, the quality of their meats has changed for the worse. I purchased an 8 lb. standing rib roast the Friday before Easter to prepare on Easter Sunday. It had already started going bad. I trimmed it and still prepared it. It was not that good. Then a couple of weeks later, I purchased about 5 lbs of boneless chicken breast. I put it in the freezer right away. A week later, I thawed and discovered that two of the breast was going bad. The smell was not right and it had a darker greenish tint color. The other four breast seemed to be okay. If I shop there again I will definitely pay more attention to what I purchase. I'm not sure if ownership or management has changed, but really inspect what you buy there.
(2)T B.
We have the meat palace in Huntington, they have Carfagna's in Columbus. Yum yum.
(4)Dave J.
The best place to buy red meat and chicken in the city. Not so sure about the fish. This place is always crowded and for good reason: the quality of the food is excellent. I didn't think buying meat I had to prepare myself would make a difference with where I got it since a cow is a cow and chickens cluck. This butchers quality comes through in the flavor even if you completely burn it to very well done on the grill. The steak burgers come out tasting restaurant quality for the price of less than a large fast food chain burger. If you are buying other groceries through their market, be prepared to pay. They specialize in butchered meats, not groceries, so the extra stuff will come at a cost. The only real downside- the parking there is atrocious some days. Between people not caring that painted lines mean take a single space, and the lot being very small for the crowds that are inside, be aware that parking here can be a challenge.
(4)William M.
All the good things that satisfied customers have said are fair enough-they do have good meat and nice deli items, but after my last experience there I will never go in this store again. I was standing at the butcher counter waiting to be served and I watched two of the butchers conspire to humiliate someone. They intentionally skipped a number when they were calling and when I called out my number-the one they had skipped, the butcher started yelling at me and abusing me in front of a crowed of people while the other one snickered. I will never go in that joint again and will badmouth it to anyone who will listen until the end of my life. Rot them.
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