Carollo’s Italian Gourmet Grocery

This is my favorite Italian deli. The sandwiches are amazing, I can only eat half and take the other half home. For $ 5.25 a great sandwiches and a small bag of chips!

I went to the grill for a Philly steak. The service was very nice and the sandwich pretty good. It could have had better flavor and was a bit dry. They had some outdoor seating where listened to some live blues coming from Winslow’s BBQ. I could have sat under the awning and listened to the ballgame on the radio, but I opted for Low Rider echoing across the parking lot.

If you are looking for authentic Italian food, this is the place to go. Most of their items are imported from Italy and they carry items that are hard to find.
Wait: Busy but the wait wasn’t too bad!
Ambiance: casual, busy, seating is outside.
Food:
Napolitano sandwich:
Prosciutto, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and hot peppers
Delicious! The perfect Italian sandwich and for a great price (6 $)
Cannoli:
Some of the best I’ve had! I recommend getting one here for sure!

Best Italian sandwiches in the city! Can’t go wrong with any of these and always add hot peppers.

I had a cannoli as a gift from a few co-​workers and knew I had to try this place. Short ride on the streetcar and there we are. I had a hard time choosing which sandwich to order, but settled on the Meatball. I looked around the shop while they made my sandwich and was amazed that they also carry balsamic glaze. Super happy with this (I had been looking everywhere for it), I picked up a Nantucket Nectar juice, a couple cannolis for the road, and even got a bag of chips with my sandwich.
The people there were extremely nice (especially the man at the cash register) and the prices were good. There is seating inside as well as a lot of seating outside and around the rivermarket area. The meatball sub was awesome. Sometimes when you get meatball subs, the meatballs themselves taste like a rubber substance, but these tasted fresh and homemade. The only thing I was a little turned off from was the gelato. The two flavors I would’ve ordered were completely wiped clean and the rest looked like they were half melted. Bummer.
I’m super excited that I found this place and am starting to think the Rivermarket is KC’s gem that somehow, I’ve been oblivious to for WAY too long. I look forward to going back and trying the olives.

I’m a fan because I’ve loved this place for years! Whether it is for Saturday market deals, a blow your mind parm, or a terrific sandwich at lunch! You really can’t go wrong here.
That said, last Saturday I was there and they have a new sales guy. Cut me a price on some strawberries and as I’m paying him he says «where’s my tip?». I’ve never tipped — he did nothing except cut me a deal on strawberries. I was gobsmacked. By the time I «tipped» him, I could have gone to another vendor and paid less — so much for his «deal».
I would like to see a photo of the sandwich menu! Trying to talk work folks into going with me, and without knowing what they’re getting into — they more often than not say no. (Unadventurous JoCo’ers!)
If I see him again, I won’t be stopping. Too bad, I love the older guy! :(

At the outdoor vendor area, Carollo’s serves smoked turkey legs. Get it! it’s delicious! The guys preparing the food outside and super local and friendly. Help yourself to a side of their Kansas City BBQ sauce and dig in.
The workers here are super friendly. I wish I could bring some of this deliciousness back with me to CA!

Stopped by to check out the sandwiches and it was a great life choice. I split one of the giant sandwiches (#1) with a friend, and we added fresh mozzarella and hot peppers. The meat and bread were fresh and there was enough oil to make the sandwich really tasty without making it soggy. My friend had gone to Italy on her honeymoon and said she loves the sandwiches at Carollo’s because they take her back. It was great!
If you’re thinking about trying it, try it. The only reason I gave four stars instead of five was because they had a disorganized system of taking orders. Just be assertive and you’ll be fine. Go get a sandwich!

I love their sandwiches. The #1 is jam packed with flavor and the meatball sub leaves little to be desired. I’ve been several times but I can’t get myself to deviate from those two options in fear of being disappointed.

Being Italian-​Sicilian is hard to go anywhere but my own kitchen authentic Italian food!!! But peeps this place is as authentic as it gets!!! From the imported cheese, pasta to variety of Italian cookies and olives and the sandwiches yes yes!!! Reminds me of being at my Nonni’s!!! Love love love this place!

What a cool place! I run down to the City Market periodically to check on produce and invariably, I pick something up from Burrito Brothers or Habashi or Tikka House, but, I had always noticed something Italian up at the north end of the permanent produce stalls so I took a walk. Why didn’t I know this was here? There is a nice selection of fresh Italian sausages, cheese, cold cuts, desserts and a wonderful olive bar! I ordered a beef and cheese sandwich (like Philly beef and cheese) on a crusty Italian roll and a small container of olives pickled with carrots, celery, bay leaves and spices. I have been picking at the olive mix for several days now. What a nice snack to have. The olives and such are pickled in olive oil. They are Delicioso! The sandwich was generously filled with meat with fresh shredded lettuce and tomato and mayo on the bread. It was superb! I will definitely be back.

Very enjoyable, authentic, fun… definitely will return. Sandwiches were great and bakery items were good too.

Salt of the earth Italian grocer in KC. Fantastic choices– all authentic… love the olives and pepperoni here– don’t forget the gelato and cannolli’s ! I like the pasta options. The sausage is OK, but I prefer Scimeca’s. Sandwiches are always a great option here while in the market.

Pros: good food, lots of Italian options, convenient location with market, really reasonable prices.
Cons: sandwich needed more flavor — too much bread not enough meet/​cheese

Deli, gril, market, outdoor, indoor seating and grilled turkey legs! Sandwhiches with fresh mozzarella, aged balsamic, olive oil and sweet basil or a hamburger with grilled peppers and onions hot off their outdoor grill. Top 10 Kansas city lunch spots. This has alot to do with their location in the historic river market and their ability to make a wide variety of hanrgy people happy.
Deli, grill or check out counter the fine folks here are on no shortage personality. Warm, welcoming, opinionated with some fantastic culinary chops. Fresh ingredients and attitudes makes such a difference. Every weekend their packed and I’m sure their small space swells beyond capacity. They seemed dangerously Close to being under staffed these last couple of Saturday’s.
Prices for the most part are fair but close to $ 8 for a turkey leg seems extreme.
Parking on weekends is a mad house but well worth the search and wait. Weekdays isn’t as rough and usually closer spots are open.

Best cannoli in Kansas City hands down! Every time I’m at the market I come here! Their meats have always been great to! Cheese is varied and authentic! If you come here you must get their cannolis and sausage! A little pricey but it’s a nice grocer! Love Carollos

My favorite in the City Market. Things to try for sure: the marinated artichoke hearts and the house made sausage. Honestly you can not go wrong with anything from here, but definatly try those and you will be hooked!

The cypress has top notch fresh mozz but the tomatoes are consistently pithy. The olive bar is always fully stocked and has a good variety of standard options and more adventurous (think room temp squid salad). Great spot for a quick take out lunch and Italian food staples in the grocery section.

Excellent Deli. Very inexpensive and delicious. Sandwiches are made with fresh cuts of meat, amazing oils and cheese. I would much rather visit here than a chain any day.

I’ve been coming to Carollo’s for a long, long time. As in, pre-​internet. Awhile you could say. It sort of defines what’s the slowly disappearing type of Kansas City store you can truly call an Italian grocer.
Well worth a drive over from Lawrence once a month to stock up in quality olive oils, Italian pastas and some of the best garlicky, fennel laced Italian sausage to be found… made fresh. Great selection of olives and lots of other condiments. The in-​house sandwiches are also wonderful. Where’d you get some of these products in KCMO I have no idea.
I hope they’re around for a long, long time to come because I intend to stay their customer. Keep up the good work, folks at Carollo’s! See you next month.