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    Avella’s Italian Takeout

    4.6 (71 reviews)

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    AVELLA’S ITALIAN TAKEOUT ATMOSPHERE

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    Outside
    Jason P.

    So many of the great food spots in cities are a little off the main drag. You'd only know about them by word of mouth, exploration or happy accident. When you're tuned into the world of CT Foodies, you're more likely to hear about these spots because people know you care and tell you. That's how my friend and I recently came to visit Avella's Italian Takeout. Avella's is an Italian style deli a few blocks west of the South End of Main Street in downtown Middletown. As the name suggests, it is takeout only. If you're visiting from out of the area, you'll find a few small parks with some tables in the surrounding blocks. We ate at a nearby shaded table. Avella's has specialty and build your own sandwiches. I ordered a 12 inch Teflon Don, with Mortadella, Salami and Capicola for meat, and toppings including provolone, lettuce, tomato, roasted peppers, onions, banana peppers, olives and oil and vinegar. I asked for less meat because I like to taste those toppings. This was a great sandwich. It was well constructed. The meat layers and toppings were well layered. The toppings provided the right amount of juiciness and acidity. The bread was fresh and up to the job. My friend loved his chicken cutlet. Avella's other offerings include pizza and a deli case full of things like olives and side salads. I asked owner Sal to recommend one of their best side salads, and of those I chose the macaroni salad. The pasta had good texture and a pleasant creamy base. I also tried a tart green olive salad with carrots. The carrots were obviously fresh. I don't live in the area, but If I wanted a takeout sandwich for the beach or whatever other reason, Sal's would definitely be my Middletown choice. If I lived or worked in the area, I'd go regularly. 4.5 Stars

    Dan R.

    "I need, I need, I need some little dream come true please tell me where they're keeping ya Somebody tell me where are the Italian girls" (Rod Stewart) I love these neighborhood Italian delis and Avella's, practically on the Wesleyan campus in Middletown, is one of the very best I've ever seen. If you can't find something to eat here, you'd better put a mirror to your mouth and check your pulse to see if you're still alive, They have so much fantastic foods -white pizzas, red pizzas, seven soups including a Dr. Melfi Salad (they have a blast naming things here), four soups, twenty-seven sandwiches combinations (including epic names Goodfellas, Godfather, and Sopranos related names like Bada Bing, Gabagool, Ferragimo Special, Two Times Sally, Sal Bonpensiero, Don Corleone and a Vito Special). They also have a ton of calzones. strombolis, and a deli counter full of prepared foods and salads - including two octopus dishes. We ordered two "small" sandwiches and I have to mention that "small" is a relative word because half a small was plenty for lunch. I ordered a Ferraimo Special ($10.95) with hot ( yoou have a choose to go hot or not) Soppressata salami, sharp provolone, lettuce, tomato, hot peppers, oil and vinegar. It was fraking fantastic. My wife went with a Ham and Cheese ($8.95) with lettuce and tomato, and it was loaded. The portion size was also super generous. We rounded off our order with huge slices of pizza ($3.50 each), two meatballs ($3.90) and a bottle of Foxon Park Diet Orange soda ($2.50). We customized their pizza slices for dinner and added slices of their meatballs, and our own sliced mushrooms and onions. Their pizza was as great as their sandwiches, the slices were huge, but man oh man were their meatballs fantastic. The servers in the store were excellent, friendly, and helpful. Ours asked if we wanted a little sauce with the meatballs, and when we said "yes", she weighed the meatballs first and then ladled in a lot od red sauce. Thatwas awesome. When we walked into the store there was one customer ahead of us. When we walked out there were four behind us. Most of them appeared to be college kids strolling over from Wesleyan. We loved everything about Avella's.

    a variety of food
    Caryn M.

    I've only visited one time but I'm sold! I have been spoiled by great chicken cutlet in NYC and when I saw this restaurant pop up on my feed, I had to try. I was not disappointed. The Bada Bing sandwich was amazing. Huge portions of high quality chicken cutlet, prosciutto, black olives, great tang from pickles and hot sauce. This is a stellar combination. The service was so friendly. I also got a brownie with cannoli cream that literally made me take a step back when I took a bite, it was so good. I will definitely be back!

    Classic Italian
    Jodi L.

    Ok we drive 25 min. Trying somewhere new. Italian was amazing. My daughter loved her son corleone. My son who is obsessed w a local sub shop said this was the BEST grinder he's ever had. ( tall praise from a picky 16 yo) we tried both pizzas. Thin one was the best I've had in CT. Garlic knots were top notch. Family run. Smells heavenly and very clean. Everyone was so nice. Will definitely return

    Bada Bing on a Portuguese roll - this is half, I ate the other half but I couldn't finish it!
    Valerie R.

    A very welcome addition to Middletown! For all the Italians we have here, we don't have too many places to get a good Italian sandwich or side dish. I'm sure they'll all say "that's because a true Italian cooks it themselves at home!" But let's face it, this true italian, like so many others, has a hectic schedule, and can use a break from cooking now and then! We got a variety on our first visit to sample, and talked to Sal the owner. I was in my Italian glory, while my husband stuck to his standard chicken parm. I really enjoyed speaking with Sal about his food and some of his planned future offerings. I'm dying to try his pasta fagioli!! I had the Bada bing on a Portuguese roll, which was a hefty sandwich! I ate half for dinner and the other half for lunch the next day. It was fantastic! Perfectly made with just enough toppings and fresh chicken cutlets. The meatballs are homemade and very tasty. I can't wait to try the sausage (he makes that himself too) as well as the homemade porketta. My next sandwich will be the 2x Sally with porketta, broccoli rabe, sharp provolone and pesto. My Italian heart just skipped a beat!! They also have pizza, calzone, and Stromboli - which of course we will need to try as well. It's a cute small place - take out only - check it out and you won't be disappointed!

    Garlic knots
    Jesus C.

    Fresh Italian bread they have a lot of authentic food many imported sauces service was spot on knowledgeable the ambiance is very bright and clean

    Garlic knots
    Allison C.

    10/10, totally a hidden gem! Even though this spot just opened last year, this hole-in-the-wall deli has such authentic Sicilian comfort food that it feels like it's been here much longer! They had a great variety of sandwiches to choose from, and we loved the Teflon Don and Bada Bing! I visited with my mom, and we were basically eating with our eyes from the moment we walked in the door. We couldn't resist grabbing a piece of their lasagna and a few garlic knots! Many of the recipes have been passed down through the owner's family. Even though Avella's is take-out only, there are a few good picnic spots nearby on the Connecticut River. The staff was friendly and had everything prepared quickly for us. We will absolutely be back and definitely will be keeping them in mind for catering!

    Deli Case
    Djuana B.

    I've been hearing about the food at Avella's for a while but hadn't had a chance to stop by. After having a disappointing experience at Lino's since they are under new management, we decided to give Avella's a try. When you walk in, you are greeted by the friendly staff! The variety of food options is awesome. Just like an old school Italian market. We got the Bada Bing and a 8" Chicken Parm sandwich. Both were very good. We will definitely make this our new spot!

    Two small pizzas.
    Jesse A.

    Avella's has been open for a year now and I have no idea how I slept on it for so long. Middletown has a rich Italian heritage, and in a town with many great Italian restaurants, delis and pizzerias, this place is a true hidden gem. It's a small building on William St. and you can easily go right past if you're not looking for it. It's take out only (in case you didn't catch that from the name), so the ambiance it that of a deli. I believe there's a small table outside if you just can't wait eat that grinder ;-) The counter help is very helpful and always polite. Sal the owner is an awesome dude and will go out of his way to make sure you're happy. There are a couple quality pizza places in downtown Middletown that I frequent, but a friend had recommended Avella's so I decided to try something new. I'm really glad I did. Since then I have returned several times for pizzas and specialty sandwiches. Each one has been been amazing. Their pizzas fall somewhere between New Haven and New York style. Thin crust which is fairly soft on the bottom, but just stiff enough to hold up to the toppings. The outer crust is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Toppings are fresh and sauce and cheese ratios are perfect. The sandwiches are epic. They're packed full and sooo tasty. Like flavor explosions with each bite. Even the medium (Portuguese roll) can give you two meals if you get it with chips or a side. I make it a point to visit weekly now and I highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a quick bite for lunch or for quality Italian foods to bring home to the family.

    Sandwich to go!
    Frank B.

    Gosh this place had a fire summer of 2024. I just "discovered" it and this happened. They had such a great deli selection including polpo, lasagna, meatballs, different cold salads plus they make fabulous sandwiches. The people were always friendly. I hope everyone is ok and that they have reopened. I would stop any time I pass on route 9.

    Bada Bing

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    2 years ago

    The food is excellent but be prepared to pay for it . The market is fantastic and the service from the ladies ai dealt with was fantastic .

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    2 years ago

    Great gluten free options! The octopus is always cooked perfectly. Love the scungilli salad as well! I'll be back!

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    3 years ago

    Great take out. So many great choices. While it's sometimes a pain to find parking to pick up food worth it.

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    2 years ago

    The food is amazing!! The service is top notch! I'm happy they're moving into a bigger place! They deserve the success

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    2 years ago

    I'd give them x10 Stars! Fantastic food and staff! Portions are incredible too! Lucky they're close to my home to order often ahead!

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    Ask the Community - Avella’s Italian Takeout

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    Avella’s Italian Takeout - pizza - Updated September 2026

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