Ciao! Deli and Pizzeria feels like a neighborhood joint. Because it is! And as I came to find out, we’re really lucky it’s in our neighborhood.
Owners Carmina and Ray Casso want you to feel right at home, and from the minute you walk in the door, you feel welcomed.
Today, Ray is manning the front counter and he greets me with a cheerful hello. He introduces himself, and invites me to check out the menu. There’s some groovy blues playing, and I notice the tap behind the counter with cold IPA just waiting to be poured.
It’s my first time here, but I can already tell it won’t be my last. This is my kind of place! The menu is full of Italian favorites like lasagna, meatball sandwiches and every possible kind of pizza. But there are some original twists on favorites too, like the spicy Chicago Italian Beef Pie (taste test winner in the Orange Coast Magazine Pizza Issue) and oven baked ziti with chicken, meatballs or sausage.
I can smell the sauce already—rich tomatoes, herbs and pungent garlic. My mouth is literally watering.
Owners Ray and Carmina Casso, at Ciao! Deli + Pizzeria, 2336 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa.
Photo: Samantha Chagollan
Soon Carmina pokes her head out of the kitchen and joins us. She tells me that they are new to this location on Harbor Boulevard, but they were in their previous spot on Baker and Bear for almost 10 years. They outgrew that space, and moved here in May, where there is plenty of room for birthday bashes and team celebrations.
“We always wanted to be the spot in the neighborhood to support the community,” says Carmina. Now they have the room to do just that.
Carmina shares her homemade recipes with our community here every day. “I always wanted to own a restaurant,” she says with a smile.
Ray and Carmina live in Costa Mesa too, and I can tell that what Carmina loves best is being able to share the food that she loves to cook with friends and neighbors. She tells me she has been passionate about cooking since she was a kid, and was always drawn to Italian flavors.
Ray explains that they make everything to order, from fresh, high-quality ingredients. That process takes some time, which means a little bit of a wait until your food comes out of the kitchen. But they make it worth your while. Carmina adds, “We make sure everything we serve is something we would want to eat ourselves. We have pride in everything we serve.”
For people who are in a hurry though, they offer slices throughout the day, which is a great way to grab a bite without the wait. But if you can hang out for a few minutes, you’ll be rewarded with deliciousness. And there’s plenty to look at while you wait.
East-Coast Vibe + Delicious, Made-From-Scratch Italian Food at Ciao! Deli + Pizzeria in Costa Mesa.
Photos: Samantha Chagollan
The walls are covered with memorabilia and collectibles from all over: Cincinnati Reds banners, Dean Martin album covers, still shots from The Godfather and MAD magazine covers are everywhere. But Ray’s not done with the walls yet. “I’ve got so much more to put up!” he chuckles.
There’s definitely an East Coast vibe to the place, and of course, the food. Some reviewers on Yelp say it’s the only place they can find real East Coast flavor in Orange County.
Speaking of those reviews, I checked them out before I came to Ciao!, and the feedback is pretty stellar. I read some of them to Carmina, like “I wish Yelp gave a 10-star option. Let me tell you, this place is amazing!” and “My favorite Italian place in all of Orange County!” and “Everything is the perfect balance. The sauce is awesome, the cheese is perfect, and the crust is great too!”
“I’m humbled by all of that,” Carmina says, as she takes a moment to take all of those glowing reviews in. “Because it’s a lot of work to do this. I’m glad they like it.”
Nearby, there is a mom and her teenage son enthusiastically digging into a Hawaiian pizza together. “Have you never been before?” she asks me. I shake my head and she says, “We come up from Dana Point just to get pizza here. It’s the best.”
Worth The Wait: Melt-In-Your-Mouth, Housemade Italian Classics at Ciao! Deli + Pizzeria.
Photos: Samantha Chagollan
As my food arrives, it’s clear that even those sparkling reviews can’t capture the flavor-full yumminess of Ciao!. The garlic knots are a perfect way to start off, little puffy knots of dough that melt in your mouth with a side of homemade marinara for dipping.
Next comes the meatball sandwich, stuffed with Carmina’s homemade meatballs and sauce, on fluffy bread with a perfect bubbly layer of cheese on top. Some salty, crispy potato chips are the perfect complement.
The barbeque chicken pizza arrives and I can’t wait to take a bite. Tangy barbeque sauce, a surprising but welcome addition of bacon, and the grilled chicken pieces are still tender and perfect. I love that the crust isn’t too thick and there is just the right amount of cheese!
Onto the lasagna, where Carmina’s talents for Italian cuisine really shine. Layers of melted cheese, that rich, almost velvety homemade meat sauce, and of course—the noodles. Ah-mazing.
“We’ve learned to focus on what we do well,” says Carmina, noting that consistency is key. “We want the dish you loved the last time you were here to taste just as good when you come back again.”
Photo: Samantha Chagollan
I’m stuffed to the gills, but there is so much more I want to try on the menu. The vegetarian lasagna looks incredible, as does their signature sandwich, “Ray’s Hoagie,” which features salami, pepperoni, ham, mortadella, capocolla and provolone with all the yummy toppings too.
It’s no wonder Carmina and Ray are starting to recognize a fresh batch of regulars at the new location. Eating here is like coming home. ♥
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To check out Ciao! for yourself, stop by 2336 Harbor Blvd and grab a slice or a sandwich. You can also order online at www.ciaodelipizza.com for pick-up or delivery. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook. Catering is also available for events large and small; call 714-979-8669 to order.
