Some of the best sweets in Pueblo come from a small kitchen tucked behind a century-old counter, where a family matriarch still bakes cookies by hand. The shop opens at 9 AM most days, and the cookie trays can sell out before the afternoon rush ends.
Behind the front door sits a story that stretches back more than 100 years, with a gentleman in his 90s still running the register. Keep reading to learn where this Pueblo landmark is, what sweet treats come out of the back kitchen, and the timing secrets that will save you from leaving empty-handed.
An Elm Street Address Worth Remembering
Mornings on the north side of Pueblo start a little sweeter thanks to Gagliano’s Italian Market, found at 1220 Elm St, Pueblo, CO 81004, United States.
Officially, the shop is listed as a deli. In practice, it works as a market, a sandwich counter, and a home-style bakery all packed under one modest roof.
Fans of Mexican pan dulce should know the full story up front. The sweets here follow Italian family recipes, with cookies and Lady Fingers taking the spotlight in the cases.
That twist is part of the fun. Pueblo has long been a city of many cultures, and this Elm Street shop represents its Italian roots in a big way.
The store holds a 4.8-star standing built across more than 800 public opinions, which is a remarkable track record for a neighborhood grocery.
Locals treat it as a regular lunch stop. Road trippers from Denver, Santa Fe, Houston, and Cañon City have also made special detours just to shop the aisles.
The building itself is small and a bit cramped, but that compact layout is a big part of its charm.
Shelves rise high, the deli counter waits in the back, and the cookie kitchen hums along out of sight. Each corner has its own story, and the oldest one begins more than a century ago.
A Century Behind the Counter
One hundred years is a long run for any business, and Gagliano’s has crossed that line.
The family-owned market marked its 100th anniversary with a celebration on June 26, and the party drew a crowd of loyal fans. For a corner grocery, that kind of staying power is rare.
Many shoppers describe the store as a step back in time. The setup feels like an old-world neighborhood market, the kind once common in East Coast cities.
Shoppers who grew up in New York say it reminds them of home. Others from the Northeast compare it to the classic Italian groceries they knew as kids.
That nostalgia is not an act or a theme. It comes from the same family running the same counter for generations.
A few things have changed over the decades. Deli sandwiches, for example, returned to the menu after a pause, and longtime regulars cheered when they did.
Still, the core idea remains steady. Imported goods line the shelves, house recipes fill the cases, and a family member greets shoppers at the door.
History here is not stuck behind glass in a museum display. It stands at the register, and the gentleman holding that post has quite a story of his own.
Tony and the Front Register
Retirement plans clearly skipped one front counter in Pueblo.
Tony, who is in his 90s, still runs the register at Gagliano’s. For many shoppers, a quick chat with him is as much a part of the trip as anything on the shelves.
An older gentleman is often the first person to welcome guests through the door. That greeting sets the tone for the rest of the visit.
The store is packed with food and kitchen goods from floor to ceiling, so the first few seconds can feel like a lot.
A friendly hello makes the maze much easier to tackle. Then shoppers usually head straight for the back, where the deli and the sweets are waiting.
Tony’s presence also says something about the business. Few shops can claim a team member with that much experience still clocking in.
His years at the counter connect today’s customers with the market’s long past.
Friendly staff comes up again and again when people talk about this place, with more than 70 mentions tied to kindness alone. That reputation clearly starts at the front.
Of course, the register is only one part of the family operation. The real magic for sweet tooths happens in a small kitchen farther back.
Nonna’s Kitchen in the Back
Behind the deli case sits the heart of the sweet operation, and it belongs to Nonna.
She bakes cookies right there in the back, using recipes that have traveled through the family. On busy days, the trays head straight from her kitchen into the front cases.
Shoppers sometimes catch her mid-batch. A few lucky families have even been invited into the back to watch the cookies come together.
One mother and daughter on a park picnic run got that exact invitation. They left with a freshly baked cookie in hand and a fun story to share.
The family matriarch has a habit of extending that kind of welcome. She has handed cookies to small children and shared artichokes with traveling families.
That generosity turns a quick stop into a memory. Several road trippers describe feeling like they ate lunch in her home rather than a shop.
Watching homemade baking in action is not something most delis offer. Here, it is simply part of the daily routine.
So what exactly comes out of that kitchen and lands in the cases each day? The lineup deserves its own close look.
Cookie Cases That Empty Fast
Cookies earn more buzz than you might expect from a deli, with steady mentions from fans who rarely leave without a bag.
Lady Fingers rank as a must-try for many regulars. They show up again and again as the sweet add-on to a sandwich order.
Sicilian wine cookies are another favorite. There is just one catch with those.
They sell out. Shoppers who want them are advised to grab some early before the trays run empty.
Families often pick up an assortment that pairs cookies with deli items. A mixed bag of hoagies, sausage, and sweets is a popular haul for travelers heading home.
Since the cookies are baked in-house, the supply depends on what Nonna has turned out that day. Selection can shift from one visit to the next.
That small-batch approach keeps things interesting. It also explains why early birds tend to get the best pick.
Anyone hoping for traditional Mexican pan dulce should adjust expectations here. The cases celebrate Italian baking, and the family sticks to what it knows best.
Sweet treats may draw folks in, but the deli counter just a few steps away holds its own legendary status.
Sandwiches Worth the Highway Miles
Sixteen dollars for a sandwich sounds steep until you see the size of it.
Many customers say half is enough to fill them up, with the second half saved for later. Fans consistently call it worth every cent.
Ordering has its own little ritual. Head to the back, grab a paper bag next to the deli, and place your order at the counter.
Each sandwich is made to order and stacked with toppings. A group of road trippers once ordered five for the drive and declared every one a winner.
The muffuletta stands out as a crowd favorite. Some compare it to the version at Central Grocery in New Orleans, which is high praise for a Colorado deli.
Italian hoagies have plenty of fans too. Regulars insist you cannot go wrong with any option on the board.
Here is the timing detail that trips people up. Sandwich service stops at 3 PM, well before the store closes.
One family drove an hour and a half only to arrive at 3:30 and miss out. Plan for a lunchtime visit and save yourself the heartbreak.
Sandwiches are only part of the savory story, though, because the house sausage has its own fan club.
House Sausage With Pueblo Personality
Italian sausage is the single most talked-about item at Gagliano’s, with close to 90 mentions from fans.
The sausage is made in-house, and that fresh-made approach is a big part of its reputation.
One version carries a local twist. The market makes Italian sausage with Pueblo chiles, blending old family tradition with the city’s famous crop.
That combo is a fitting symbol for the store itself. It reflects an Italian family business deeply rooted in a Colorado town.
Shoppers can buy the sausage in bulk. Travelers from Denver have stocked up to take home, turning a lunch break into a full grocery run.
Sausage pairs nicely with the premade pasta, another standout in the cases. Some fans call that duo the best thing in the building.
Lasagna and stuffed shells also earn attention from those planning dinner at home.
Grabbing a sauce from the shelf and a block of cheese from the fridge rounds out a full meal with almost no effort.
Speaking of shelves, there is a whole world of imported products waiting in those packed aisles.
Aisles Packed With Imports
Shelves at Gagliano’s do not waste a single inch.
The store holds a huge supply of imported Italian goods, plus kitchen accessories tucked in among the groceries. Many shoppers call it a treasure trove.
Product range covers a lot of ground. Polenta, oils, spices, candies, marinara sauces, and dried pasta all compete for space.
The market even sells its own homemade spice blends. Those make an easy souvenir for anyone passing through town.
Cheese is a serious draw too. Pecorino romano gets special praise, with one devoted fan calling it the best cheese around.
Goat cheese, Parmesan, and other deli cheeses fill out the fridge.
Lupini beans and imported meats like capicola also have a loyal following.
One shopper regularly drives to Pueblo just to pick up capicola for her Italian husband, who values the authentic product.
Many items are hard to locate at chain grocery stores. That scarcity is a big reason people keep coming back from far away.
Those with dietary needs might be surprised by what else the aisles hold.
A Surprise for Gluten-Free Shoppers
Gluten-free shoppers often assume an Italian deli is off-limits. This one quietly proves otherwise.
The market carries Caputo Fioreglut gluten-free flour, a specialty product that can be tricky to track down.
The selection goes further than flour. Gluten-free pasta, sweets, bread, and even frozen gluten-free ravioli have appeared on the shelves.
That variety is a pleasant surprise for home bakers and pasta lovers who avoid wheat.
Dry pasta options in the gluten-free range are somewhat limited, so expectations should stay realistic. The deli sandwiches are also not offered in a gluten-free version.
Still, finding these products at a century-old neighborhood market is a solid win.
It shows the family keeps an eye on what customers need, even while honoring old recipes.
Shoppers with dietary limits can call ahead or ask staff for help locating items. The team has a reputation for being genuinely helpful on the floor.
Not every order is for one person, though. Some customers come in planning food for a whole crowd.
Party Trays and Dutch Lunch Spreads
Birthday parties in Pueblo sometimes come with a deli twist.
A Dutch lunch is a local tradition where guests build their own sandwiches from platters of meats and cheeses.
Gagliano’s meat trays fit that style perfectly. One family ordered them for a daughter’s birthday party, and the trays were a big hit with the guests.
Both the quality of the food and the help during ordering earned high marks.
Catering for a group takes some planning, so calling ahead is smart. The market phone line and website are the best places to arrange larger orders.
Picnic plans also work well with this shop. Families often pick up sandwiches and head to a nearby park for an easy lunch outing.
There is no seating inside the store, which makes take-out the only option anyway.
That setup nudges everyone toward a park bench, a backyard table, or a road trip cooler.
A few cookies tucked into the order make the spread complete. Dessert is handled with almost no extra work.
Still, food is only half the reason people return. The way the family treats guests leaves an equally lasting impression.
Hospitality That Goes the Extra Mile
Kindness at Gagliano’s sometimes reaches well beyond the counter.
A young staff member once ran to the register to warn a departing customer about a major traffic accident. He even explained a detour so she could get home safely.
Small gestures like that show up often. A traveling family with little kids was allowed to use the restroom, even though it interrupted the staff routine.
That same family left with free cookies for the youngest child and a story they still share.
Many people describe the crew as genuine and welcoming. The words friendly and helpful come up so often that they almost feel like part of the store name.
Fast service is part of the package too. Even when the line builds up, orders tend to move along at a good clip.
The owners also respond to praise with simple heart and thumbs-up emojis, plus an occasional grazie.
It is a small, friendly habit that fits the personality of the place.
A warm welcome is great, but a little planning ensures you actually get through the door at the right time.
Hours, Parking, and Timing Smarts
Timing is everything at a shop where the best items disappear early.
Gagliano’s opens at 9 AM Monday through Saturday. It closes at 4:30 PM Monday through Friday and at 4 PM on Saturday.
Sunday is a day off, so plan weekend trips around Saturday.
The sandwich counter wraps up around 3 PM, which surprises plenty of first-timers. Arriving by early afternoon is the safest bet.
Sandwiches run about $16 each, with generous portions that often stretch into two meals.
Parking can be tight. The area has limited spaces, so allow a few extra minutes to hunt for a spot.
Inside, expect a snug layout with narrow aisles. There is no seating, so meals are strictly to go.
Bringing a cooler is a clever move for long-distance travelers. Sausage, cheeses, and cold cuts hold up better on the drive home.
Questions about orders can go to the market at 719-544-6058, and the website offers more details. With logistics sorted, all that is left is deciding whether the trip is worth it.
A Sweet Verdict on Elm Street
Plenty of bakeries promise tradition, but few have a century of proof behind the counter.
Gagliano’s earns its loyal following through family recipes, steady hands, and a welcome that never feels rehearsed.
Sweet tooths will find Nonna’s homemade cookies, Lady Fingers, and Sicilian wine cookies in the cases. Just remember those trays can run dry before closing.
Savory fans get made-to-order sandwiches, house sausage with Pueblo chiles, and shelves of imports that are hard to find elsewhere.
It is not the place for a long sit-down meal. With no seating and a snug interior, it suits picnic planners, road trippers, and anyone stocking a home pantry.
Families with kids tend to feel right at home here. So do longtime Italian food lovers chasing the flavors of their childhood neighborhoods.
Arrive in the morning, grab a paper bag, and leave room in the car for more than you planned to buy.
A store that has served Pueblo for over 100 years clearly knows how to keep people coming back. Odds are good your first visit will not be your last.
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