St. Louis’s landmark deli is celebrating its centennial.
Gioia’s Deli will toast to its 100th anniversary on Thursday, May 24. Originally, the iconic St. Louis spot was opened by Charlie Gioia. The deli was passed through his family until the 1980s, when it was bought by the Donley family, who still own it today.
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Gioia’s, which has been serving meat on the Hill since 1918, wants to thank its customers for their longtime loyalty. All three of the deli’s locations (the Hill, downtown, Creve Coeur) will be serving $5 hot salami sandwiches all day. The sandwiches are for walk-in customers only, and there is a limit of one sandwich per person.
Along with $5 sandwiches, Gioia’s will be throwing a party as well. The deli’s location on the Hill will host a block party that same day from 4 to 8 p.m. The party will feature live music from the Steve Ewing Band, retail products, beer from Modern Brewery, wine from Gian-Tony’s, and gelato from Gelato Di Riso. Gioia’s limited edition 100 year T-shirts will also be sold for $10.
This party will mark the start of Gioia’s Deli Summer Nights and new summer hours. From May 24 to August 30, the Hill location will stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Along with the extended hours, each Thursday will feature a local beer vendor and local musician, and the money earned on the third Thursdays from June to August will benefit a local charity.
