Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Authentic Italian Deli & Catering in Long Beach, CA
Santa Fe Importers has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1947, rooted in family traditions from Sicily. Our commitment to quality begins with recipes passed down through generations and extends to using only the finest ingredients in our homemade meals. We operate a USDA-inspected meat processing plant where we craft Marisa Brand Italian sausage, meatballs, and lunch meats, ensuring the same quality that earned us recognition as Best Deli and Caterer in Long Beach. Our knowledgeable staff provides personalized service for both retail customers and catering events, offering everything from quick meals to large-scale Italian feasts.With two locations in Long Beach and Seal Beach, we combine old-world authenticity with modern convenience, including online ordering and wholesale options through our Marisa Foods division. Our dedication to preserving traditional Italian flavors while adapting to customer needs has made us a trusted local institution for over seven decades.
Services
Italian Deli
Catering Services
Grocery Store
Wholesale Meat
Event Catering
Details
- Year established: 1947
Highlights and features
- 75 years of continuous operation since 1947
- Awarded Best Deli and Caterer in Long Beach
- Family recipes using traditional Sicilian methods
- USDA-inspected meat processing facility for quality control
- Full-service catering for events of all sizes
What people say
Authentic Italian flavors
Award-winning deli
Family recipes
Quality ingredients
Historic institution
Services
Italian Deli
Our Italian deli offers premium cold cuts, cheeses, and specialty sandwiches made with Marisa Brand meats. We serve traditional Italian cold sandwiches on fresh-baked rolls with house-made condiments. The deli counter also features imported Italian groceries, olives, and specialty ingredients for home cooking. Customers can order by phone for quick pickup or browse our selection of Italian market items.
Catering Services
We provide full-service Italian catering for business meetings, family gatherings, and special events. Our catering menu includes pasta dishes, meat trays, salad platters, and antipasto selections. We offer complete meal packages with serving utensils and personalized menu planning assistance. Our team handles orders from 12 to over 100 guests with delivery options available.
Grocery Store
Our Italian market carries a wide selection of imported and domestic Italian food products. Shoppers find specialty pasta, sauces, canned tomatoes, olives, cheeses, and Italian desserts. We stock hard-to-find ingredients for traditional Italian cooking and offer fresh produce for making authentic dishes at home. The market also sells Marisa Brand packaged products for home preparation.
Wholesale Meat
Through our USDA-inspected facility, we produce and distribute Italian meats to restaurants and retailers. Our wholesale division supplies fresh sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, and lunch meats. Commercial customers receive bulk quantities of our signature products made using traditional recipes and quality control standards that have defined our brand since 1947.
Event Catering
We offer complete event catering solutions with Italian party trays, fresh pasta dishes, and cold cut platters. Our party services include mini sandwich trays, fresh vegetable platters, and dessert selections. We provide catering for weddings, corporate events, and family celebrations with customizable menus and full-service support for events of all sizes.
People
Vincent Passanisi
Founder
Founded Santa Fe Importers in 1947, bringing Sicilian recipes and traditional Italian meat-making techniques to Long Beach. Established the foundation for our quality standards and family business legacy.
Marisa Foods Team
Production Staff
Our USDA-certified meat processing team maintains traditional Italian preparation methods while meeting modern food safety standards. They produce all Marisa Brand products using time-tested family recipes passed down through generations.
Questions
What makes Santa Fe Importers' Italian food authentic?
We use traditional Sicilian recipes from founder Vincent Passanisi's family, passed down through generations. Our Marisa Brand meats are made using old-world techniques in our USDA-inspected facility next to our original Long Beach location.
Do you offer catering services for large events?
Yes, we provide full-service catering for events of all sizes, from small business meetings to weddings. Our catering menu includes pasta dishes, meat trays, salad platters, and complete meal packages serving 12 to over 100 guests.
Can I purchase your Italian meats for home cooking?
Yes, our Italian meats including sausage, meatballs, and lunch meats are available for retail purchase at both locations. We also offer Marisa Brand products through our website for home cooks wanting to recreate our flavors.
What are your most popular menu items?
Our signature dishes include rigatoni with meatballs, Italian sausage sandwiches, lasagna, pepperoni pizza, and the famous 10-inch 'Special Sandwich' with multiple Italian meats and cheeses.
Do you deliver catering orders?
We offer delivery for catering orders with service charges applying. For individual sandwich orders, we're currently developing a DoorDash partnership for future delivery options.
How can I place a catering order?
Contact us at (562) 437-7775 to speak with a sales representative about your event needs. We'll help plan your menu, provide pricing, and coordinate delivery or pickup options for your event.
