Introduction
This is my first entry. I am setting out with a mission to emit my opinion of things we do around town. Allow me to introduce myself.
I am a forty-one year old man, living in Schaumburg, Illinois: Population 72, 805, with my wife, two kids and two dogs. I was born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee. I spent my entire life there save ten years I spent in the Air Force. My move to Schaumburg was for business and I truly love the experience.
For those that do not know exactly where Schaumburg is located, it is a suburb of Chicago about twenty miles or so from the inner city by highway. One does not have to travel to the city to find good food or entertainment, there are many opportunities right here and most are not chain restaurants or services.
My goal for this blog is to experience things in my normal everyday life and then write a little blurb about it. Not just merely rendering my opinion but providing an informative account of the experience that is hopefully entertaining and useful as well.
Franco’s Cucina
My first entry is not only my introduction but also an ode to a deli in Streamwood I love dearly: Franco’s Cucina Italian Bakery and Deli. At then end of this blog, I will provide you the web address so you can check it out on your own if you are ever up this way.
This place is awesome and I do not use that term loosely. Driving up you will think it is just another small deli in an industrial park. Nevertheless, trust me this place packs a big punch in flavor and nostalgia. They bake fresh bread daily, wonderful fresh hot meals for lunch and dinner: soups, salads, sauces, pizza and pastries. The cannolis are heavenly. My favorite meal at Franco’s is the tuna salad sub with everything and a side of tortellini salad. My wife is partial to the baked mostaccioli and my son of course likes the pizza. What is very nice is they offer many sandwiches on focaccia bread baked fresh each day. The Genoa served on focaccia with fresh mozzarella, oils, salt, pepper is just perfect, and more than enough for a lunchtime treat.
Another item I am partial to besides the cannolis and subs is cake. I do not care much for cake usually but this is great. Sorry I have no clue as to what it is called. I usually just point to it with drool running out the corner of my mouth and they know what it is. The elderly woman gave me a slice to try once and I have been hooked ever since. They are like crack dealers but with food! They will give you something to try and reel you right in and you will never be the same.
The staff is great and friendly. I will not refer to the names of the proprietors here as I do not see them on their web site and have not obtained permission from them to publish the names, but they will undoubtedly greet you with a smile and give you a great experience.
The man and older woman that run the cucina are so personable and welcoming. My wife goes in and picks up bread for my daughter every week. My daughter is just over two years old and is a finicky eater anyway, but we made the mistake for giving her a slice of Vienna bread topped with sesame seeds. She is hooked and pretty much snubs her nose at other breads now. The staff remembers my wife every time she comes in and the woman chastises her if she does not bring my daughter in the deli when she visits. They go out of their way to make us feel special and keep us as a customer.
Franco’s is definitely not the modern day deli experience. This deli reminds me of my days growing up in Maryville where people would remember a person because they care about their customers and want to keep their customers. They have pride in their product and their product is more than just the purchase: it is the experience and the interaction.
So do not just take my word for it. If you are out and about in Schaumburg, visit Franco’s and feed your eyes on all they offer. They give me the corner deli feeling that all neighborhoods used to have and is so rare today.
The web site to view some of the better menu items and get the location is:
http://www.francoscucina.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment