As I sit here in a semi-worn out computer chair, wearing an Italian national soccer team jacket, Italian blood running through my veins and the colors of the flag in my soul, it might come as no surprise that I’m writing this blog about Chiaramonte’s Market. The market, located on 609 N. 13th Street, is one of the oldest running businesses in San Jose, and I happen to be related to its owners.
The market is owned and managed by Louis Chiaramonte Sr., his wife Rose and their son Louis Chiaramonte Jr. The market is one of the oldest family-run delis — not only in San Jose, but in the entire U.S. — and one of the oldest retail food service businesses in Santa Clara County.
Since 1908, and hot off the heels of its 100-year anniversary, the Chiaramonte’s Market and Delicatessen continues to serve its specialty fresh, hand-made Italian sausages that are enjoyed by a diverse group of people living in San Jose.
I’m related to the Chiaramonte’s through my Mom’s side of the family. My great grandma’s father was Lou Chiaramonte.
Any time my grandparents, who currently live in Fresno with my aunt, come up to San Jose, we always stop by at Chiaramonte’s Market and pick up some sausage for a family dinner.
Some of my favorite sausages they offer are the hot Italian sausage, which only real Italians can handle, and the garlic sausage with chunks of garlic cloves stuffed inside it.
The Italian American Heritage Foundation Cultural Center in San Jose has proposed a plan to revive one of three previous “Little Italy” parts of San Jose by constructing a new Italian cultural center and also naming a part of town the “Little Italy business district.” Louis Chiaramonte also serves on the Little Italy advisory committee for this initiative.
One of the three parts of town that used to be a “Little Italy” was the 13th Street neighborhood of San Jose. It was not only home to my grandparents on my mother’s side before she was born, but also where Chiaramonte’s Market is located.
Hopefully my brothers and sisters of the Italian American community in San Jose won’t pull a “Little Saigon” and try to have a councilmember like Madison Nguyen removed from office because we want it named “Little Rome” or something instead.
It might have taken 100 years, but Chiaramonte’s Market recently opened its first satellite branch located at the new Cupertino Square Shopping Center food court. The Cupertino branch offers many signature dishes found at the regular Chiaramonte’s Market.
In the future, Chiaramonte’s Market is also expecting to open another branch in the revamped Terminal A of the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
If you’re looking for a great bite to eat that’s full of tradition, swing by Chiaramonte’s Market. I guarantee you’ll love it.
–Scott Reyburn
Spartan Daily Staff Writer
