Some Brooklyn lunches come with a story attached, and this one has been building its plot for more than two decades. On a busy corner of Bensonhurst, a small butcher counter doubles as a homestyle kitchen, turning out hot plates and rice balls that people carry home like family recipes.
The prepared food changes from day to day, so regulars keep coming back to see what landed on the counter. The neighborhood has changed a lot over the years, yet this shop still runs on old-school Italian deli habits.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes the counter worth the trip, how the catering side works, and when to show up so the doors are still open.
A Butcher Counter on Bath Avenue
Bensonhurst has no shortage of corner shops, but only one of them answers to the name Steve’s II Pork Store & Salumeria.
The shop sits at 1602 Bath Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214, in the Bensonhurst section of southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. It is listed as a butcher shop and deli, and that double identity matters.
One side of the business handles meats, sausages and cold cuts. The other side runs a prepared food counter with hot plates, pasta and appetizers ready to go.
The menu leans heavily Italian. Soups, sauces, heroes, snacks and beverages round out the lineup, so a quick stop can cover lunch, dinner and tomorrow’s sandwich supplies at once.
Bath Avenue is a working neighborhood street, and the shop fits right in. It is the kind of place locals treat as part of their weekly routine rather than a special occasion.
For first-timers, the address is the easy part. Deciding what to order is where the real challenge begins.
Twenty-Five Years and Counting
Staying power is rare in New York, where storefronts can flip in a single season.
This salumeria has been serving Bensonhurst for decades. Longtime neighbors place its run at roughly 25 years or more, which makes it a fixture for people who grew up a few blocks away.
That history counts for something in a neighborhood that has shifted over time. Bensonhurst was long known as an Italian American stronghold, and today it is home to a much wider mix of families.
Shops like this one help keep a piece of that earlier identity alive. Customers from many backgrounds appreciate an old-school Italian deli that still works the way delis used to.
People who left the area often make a point of coming back. Returning after years away, they tend to find the food just as good as they remembered.
Not many businesses can say the next generation of customers grew up eating their cutlets.
The Family Behind the Counter
Ask around Bath Avenue and the name Steve comes up quickly.
He is the owner, and plenty of customers meet him on their very first visit. He often takes orders himself, which sets a personal tone that chain stores cannot copy.
Mike, also called Michael, is another familiar face. Customers credit him with preparing orders exactly to their liking and helping guide catering choices.
The business is widely described as family run. That label shows up again and again when people talk about the shop.
The staff earns steady praise for being warm, friendly and helpful. Courteous and eager to please are the kinds of words that tend to follow them around.
There seems to be plenty of help on hand, so long waits are uncommon. The kitchen crew and counter team work as one unit.
Some regulars even joke that they hope the owners never retire. That might be the highest compliment a neighborhood deli can get.
Hot Plates That Taste Like Home
Home cooking without the dishes is a tough deal to turn down.
The prepared food counter is a big reason people keep returning. Fans describe the cooked food as the kind of thing a family would make at home.
Here is the fun twist: the selection is always changing from day to day. Monday’s lineup may look different from Thursday’s, which gives regulars a reason to drop by often.
Chicken cutlets and meatballs come out well-prepared. Sausage and peppers, roast beef and turkey also earn strong marks from customers.
Everything is prepared on the premises. That detail helps explain why the word fresh pops up so often when people describe the food.
Hot plates are packed to go, which suits busy weeknights. The chef will also prepare selections to a customer’s specific taste.
Holiday specials add another layer. Seasonal dishes appear around the holidays, and customers single them out as a highlight of the year.
Rice Balls Worth the Detour
Rice balls have a loyal following on Bath Avenue, and for good reason.
They rank among the most mentioned items at the shop. Their popularity has helped put the counter on the radar of people outside the immediate neighborhood.
Rice balls are a classic of Italian American delis across New York City. They are filling, portable and easy to carry out the door, which makes them a natural fit for a takeout counter.
At this salumeria, they sit alongside other appetizers. Artichoke fritters, mixed olives and roasted peppers have also been favorites among longtime customers.
The shop’s homemade approach applies here too. Food is prepared in-house, so the rice balls are part of the same daily kitchen routine as the hot plates.
Availability may vary by day, since the counter rotates. Arriving earlier gives the best shot at grabbing a few before they disappear.
Pro tip: grab an extra one for later. Future you will appreciate the planning.
Sausages Made the Pork Store Way
A pork store lives or dies by its sausage, and this one passes the test.
The cheese and parsley sausage is a standout. First-time buyers have called it the best they have ever had after cooking it for dinner.
The sausage wheel is another crowd-pleaser. That coiled style is a hallmark of traditional Brooklyn pork stores, and it is often available here.
Several varieties line the case. Customers commonly leave with a bag of different types so they can try more at home.
This is where the butcher side of the business shines. The sausage is not an afterthought next to the hot food, but a core product the shop has built its name on.
Buying links here also means getting advice. Staff are happy to point out options and talk through what might work for a particular meal.
Sausage and peppers from the hot counter offer a ready-made version for those not in the mood to cook. It is a shortcut with a clear conscience.
Custom Cuts From the Butcher Case
Not every deli will cut a steak to order, but this counter is happy to oblige.
A porterhouse cut on request is the kind of service that brings people back. Fans describe the result as perfection.
Meats here earn consistent praise for being fresh and well chosen. Some customers buy all of their meats from the shop rather than splitting trips between stores.
The butcher side gives home cooks real options. Instead of grabbing a sealed package off a shelf, shoppers can talk with staff about exactly what they need.
That kind of exchange is a big part of the appeal. It turns a quick errand into a conversation with people who know the product.
Portions also come up as a strong point. Customers tend to feel they get solid value for what they spend.
For anyone planning a weekend dinner, a stop here can take care of the main course. The rest is up to the cook.
Heroes, Rolls and Cold Cuts
Sometimes the simplest order makes the strongest case.
A basic roll with ham, lettuce, mayo and onions has won over walk-in customers. The ham is piled generously, so the roll arrives very full.
The shop does not skimp, and that reputation follows its sandwiches. Heroes are a regular part of the lineup, built with cold cuts sliced at the counter.
Fresh mozzarella is another favorite. It pairs naturally with the Italian meats in the case.
Cold cuts are a big draw for shoppers stocking up for the week. Many regulars treat the shop as their go-to source for both meats and sliced goods.
The wait for a sandwich is usually reasonable. That makes it a practical lunch stop for people in the area on a tight schedule.
A full roll for a quick lunch is a modest pleasure, yet it is exactly why people promise to make this their regular spot when they are back in Brooklyn.
Party Trays and Catering Help
Planning a party can feel like a full-time job, so outside help is welcome.
Catering is one of the most talked-about parts of the business. Families order dishes for birthdays and gatherings, and many plan to make it a habit.
The tramezzini platter is a standout. These are Italian-style finger sandwiches, and the platter has been a hit at children’s birthday celebrations.
Steve and Mike are known for guiding customers through catering orders. Their suggestions tend to land well with hosts who are not sure how much to order.
That personal touch makes a difference. Rather than picking from a rigid list, customers get advice from people who know what works for a crowd.
Repeat orders are common. Hosts often return to book the next party right after the first one.
Details like tray options and lead times are best confirmed directly with the shop. Calling ahead or checking the official website helps avoid last-minute stress.
Old School, Freshly Renovated
Frozen in time is usually not a compliment, yet here it is meant as one.
The shop carries an old-school vibe that reminds many people of an earlier New York. It recalls a time when neighbors supported neighbors and the local deli was a daily stop.
That does not mean the space is dated. The interior has been nicely renovated, giving the store a refreshed look without losing its character.
Cleanliness is a strong point. Customers repeatedly describe the store as super clean, which matters at a counter handling raw meat and prepared food.
The shop also has a firm no pets policy tied to food safety and sanitation. That stance has drawn attention online, including on social media, and it is worth knowing before arriving with an animal.
Some customers support the rule, while others have objected to it. Anyone with questions about the policy should contact the shop before visiting.
The overall feel is tidy, practical and welcoming, with a neighborhood personality all its own.
Who Will Love This Counter
Busy parents, lunch-hour workers and longtime locals all find a reason to stop in.
Families who want a homestyle dinner without cooking are a natural match. Hot plates to go cover the meal, and the rotating counter keeps things interesting.
Home cooks benefit from the butcher case. Sausages, custom cuts and cold cuts make it a one-stop shop for planning meals.
Party hosts are another big group. The catering side handles platters and trays for birthdays and holidays.
People who love traditional Italian delis will feel right at home. The shop keeps a classic Brooklyn style that is getting harder to find.
Quick-lunch seekers do well too. Waits are generally short, and sandwiches are generous.
The store is mainly takeout focused. Those hoping for a long sit-down meal should plan on eating elsewhere, like a nearby bench or back at home.
In short, anyone who values food made with care has a seat at this table, even if the table is in their own kitchen.
Hours, Prices and Getting There
Timing is everything when the best dishes rotate daily.
The shop opens at 8 AM on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On those six days it closes at 6 PM.
Sunday hours are shorter, running from 8 AM to 2:30 PM. Hours may vary around holidays, so checking ahead is a smart move.
Prices are widely described as fair, especially given the portions. A few customers have felt some small items, like buttered rolls, were priced on the high side, so expectations should be set accordingly.
The shop sits on Bath Avenue in Bensonhurst, an easy trip for people in southern Brooklyn. Street parking in the area can be tight at busy hours.
Earlier visits give the best selection at the prepared food counter. Midday crowds can pick through favorites quickly.
The official website, stevestwo.com, is the best place to confirm details before heading out. A little planning goes a long way toward a full takeout bag.
A Neighborhood Deli Worth Keeping
Plenty of shops sell food, but fewer manage to become part of a neighborhood’s identity.
This salumeria has done exactly that over decades on Bath Avenue. It pairs a real butcher counter with a kitchen that cooks like family.
The hot plates change daily, the rice balls have their fans, and the sausage keeps people talking. Add catering help and a staff known for warmth, and the formula becomes clear.
It is not flashy, and it does not try to be. The focus stays on fresh food, generous portions and friendly service.
Customers hold it in high regard, and many treat it as their regular stop for meats, cold cuts and dinner.
A few house rules and small price gripes aside, the overall picture is a steady, well-loved local business. That kind of consistency is worth celebrating.
For anyone in Bensonhurst, the next lunch or party tray may already have an address. Just bring an appetite and arrive before closing time.
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