Common or hard to find, Pastosa Ravioli can fill your needs. The Italian specialty store, located at 132-10 Cross Bay Blvd. in Ozone Park, has all the Italian imports one would expect and more.“People come to us all the time with special orders and usually we are able to find it for them,” said owner Sal Cracchiolo.
Part of a Brooklyn-based chain, Pastosa offers a wide variety of imported and domestic cheeses, meats and pastas. Also among the store’s specialties is its homemade mozzarella, which is made fresh daily as well as sauces and prepared foods such as lasagna, meatballs and salads.
Of course, the specialty is the more than 30 fillings for its ravioli, plus its tortellini, gnocchi and other fresh pasta made daily in Brooklyn.
Pastosa has a full catering menu at very reasonable prices, but if you’re just looking for a simple sandwich, the price is right for that too.
Cracchiolo said an average sandwich costs about $5 and they offer daily lunch specials such as chicken parmesan sandwiches and sausage and pepper sandwiches. He also carries a full line of Boars Head cold cuts.
According to Cracchiolo, who now co-owns the store with his sister, Elena, the quality and variety of Pastosa, which has been in existence for over 30 years, sets it apart from other, similar stores. It’s a family-style operation with the Cracchiolo siblings customers of the store since they were children. They remember going there with their parents every Sunday after church.
In addition, their employees, Rosa Maria and Mike, who are also brother and sister, have worked at Pastosa for more than 20 years and know most of the customers by name.
“We have a lot of things you won’t find in the supermarket and everything is fresh,” Cracchiolo said.
The store hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Shipping is available at www.pastosa.com.
