I stopped by a popular Italian market in Merced. What I got on a $25 budget
In the heart of downtown Merced, an Italian market is offering a taste of Europe — no passport required.
The Goods Italian Market and Deli recently opened its doors, bringing imported and specialty foods to Merced.
The Italian-inspired market is owned by Giancarlo DiTullio and his wife, Anaid Martinez, who also own Bella Luna restaurant at 350 West Main St. in Merced.
The Goods Italian Market and Deli opened in October in a roughly 750-square-foot space next door to the restaurant.
The space previously served as Bella Luna’s banquet room, which was used most often during the holidays, the Merced Sun-Star previously reported.
While the market offers specialty items from Italy, DiTullio said, affordability was a key goal when opening the market.
“We also want to make it approachable and affordable,” he told the Sun-Star in July. “It’s not going to be a high-end market where you’re going to have to spend a lot of money to be able to shop. We want it to be approachable to everybody.”
As part of the On A Budget series, which focuses on affordable food and fun in Merced County, I decided to stop by The Goods Italian Market and Deli to see how budget-friendly the Merced spot really is.
Here’s what I was able to get on a $25 budget:
Where can I find Italian market in Merced?
The Goods Italian Market and Deli is next door to Bella Luna restaurant in downtown Merced.
You can find the market at 348 West Main St. in Merced. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Although I’ve lived in Merced for nearly two years, I’m still discovering new local favorites — so I was eager to check out this much-discussed Italian market.
Despite opening only a few months ago, The Goods has already earned strong reviews, with a 4.3-star rating on Yelp and a 4.8-star rating on Google.
“Very nice service, decor and menu,” Google user Andrew McGrath wrote in a five-star review. “The sandwiches are excellent and there’s a nice selection of Italian snacks, too, including gelato!”
“What a gem to have stumbled upon!” another Google reviewer wrote.
“Really enjoyed the sandwich and fresh cannolis,” Google user Subreena Basra wrote in their five-star review. “Great customer service and (the) owner/employee came by and shared some yummy candy. Highly recommend coming by and checking this place out.”
What’s for sale at The Goods Italian Market and Deli?
As I stepped through the front door of The Goods Italian Market and Deli, the glowing reviews rang true.
Friendly employees welcomed me right away — and the shop was filled with a warm, inviting buzz.
Whether you’re shopping for deli sandwiches, desserts, freshly sliced meats and cheeses or ingredients to cook an Italian meal at home, The Goods has it all.
The market is stocked with nearly every Italian staple you could imagine, making it a one-stop shop for both everyday needs and specialty treats.
Shelves are lined with canned and jarred items — including beans, vegetables, sauces and tomatoes — with prices generally ranging from $2 to $15.
Shoppers can find everything from diced tomatoes and cocktail sauce to roasted artichokes and organic chickpeas.
Other pantry items include bread, crackers and chips. Prices vary depending on the item.
While some offerings can be a little pricier — such as a $10 loaf of focaccia — there are also budget-friendly options, such as Italian-imported tomato-flavored chips for $1.99.
Deli meats and cheeses, from prosciutto and salami to provolone and Gruyere, are priced by type and quantity.
Bags of dried pasta start at $4, and flour can be found for less than $10.
The selection also includes gelato, jams and sweets such as cookies and chocolate, along with beverages including tea, sugar cubes and ground coffee.
You can expect to pay around $10 for tea bags, $5 for sugar cubes and about $15 for ground coffee.
Bottled drinks — including sodas, water and juices — range from $2 to $14 for a four-pack.
Beyond food and drinks, The Goods also features select items from local artisans, including pottery from nearby pottery studio Earthworks ClaySpace.
The priciest item I spotted was a handcrafted ceramic bowl for $125.
How I spent my $25 budget at The Goods
The Goods Italian Market and Deli also serves a variety of ready-to-eat items, including sandwiches, wraps, pasta salad, pesto cauliflower and macaroni and cheese.
Sandwiches are available daily from opening until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Sandwiches and wraps start at $12, while other prepared foods and baked goods range from $3 biscotti to a 32-ounce bowl of lobster mac and cheese for $16.
The Vespa sandwich immediately caught my eye.
It’s made on house-baked Italian bread and packed with imported ham, capicola, salami, pepperoni, provolone, olive tapenade, lettuce, tomatoes and Italian vinaigrette. I ordered it as-is for $16.
To round out my $25 budget, I added a bag of pesto potato chips imported from Italy for $5.70 and a bottle of Molecola — an Italian soda — for $2.50.
My sandwich was ready in less than 10 minutes.
It was savory and fresh, with the scratch-made bread really standing out. The meal was filling without feeling heavy.
The chips added a satisfying crunch with a subtle pesto flavor, and the soda was crisp and refreshing.
Is Merced Italian market affordable?
The Goods Italian Market offers a mix of affordable staples and higher-end specialty items.
Shoppers can find pantry basics including canned goods, pasta, bread and snacks for as little as $1.99, while some items — such as $10 fresh focaccia or $15 specialty coffee — cost more.
Deli meats and cheeses are priced by type and amount, and there’s also a selection of sweets and beverages at varying price points.
In addition to food, the market sells locally made artisan items, including pottery, with some higher-priced pieces at $125.
Ready-to-eat foods, including sandwiches, wraps and pastas, start at $12.
I got a deli sandwich, a bag of Italian chips and a soda for $24.20. After tax, my total came to $26.20.
Overall, there are plenty of budget-friendly options alongside premium offerings.
Where should we explore on a $25 budget?
Have any ideas for where we should go in or around Merced? We’re exploring the area on a $25 budget.
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