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Quagliata Brothers Italian Deli: Where to Find Breakfast Sandwiches and Homemade Pasta in South Carolina

A family-run deli serving Italian breakfast and lunch since 1989

Quagliata Brothers Italian Deli is a long-standing family operation in South Carolina that specializes in Italian sandwiches, fresh pasta, and breakfast items made to order. The deli has built its reputation on using quality ingredients and preparing food the way the Quagliata family learned it—no shortcuts, no frozen components. If you arrive early enough, you can watch them slice cured meats behind the counter or pull warm bread from the oven.

The breakfast menu centers on Italian-style sandwiches built on fresh bread: capicola and egg, sausage and provolone, or combinations of their house-cured and imported meats. They also make traditional Italian pastries and offer coffee drinks. The lunch and dinner sides of the menu expand into full sandwiches, prepared pasta dishes, and ingredients you can take home to cook yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Quagliata Brothers makes breakfast sandwiches on fresh bread with Italian cured meats, eggs, and cheese, available early morning through mid-day.
  • The deli also sells fresh pasta, prepared pasta dishes, and imported Italian ingredients for cooking at home.
  • Hours and location vary by which Quagliata Brothers location you visit, so confirm before you go.
  • The deli is cash-friendly but also takes cards, and seating is limited—many customers order to go.

What to order for breakfast

The breakfast sandwiches are the draw for morning visitors. A typical order might be capicola, fried egg, and provolone on a roll, or sausage patty with egg and cheese. The bread matters here—it comes from a local bakery or is made in-house, depending on the location, and it's never the pre-sliced supermarket kind. You can ask for additions like roasted peppers, onions, or their house hot sauce.

If you want something lighter, they offer Italian pastries—cornetti (the Italian croissant), sfogliatelle, and other baked goods—along with espresso and cappuccino. The pastries are often made fresh early in the morning, so arriving before 9 a.m. gives you the best selection.

The lunch and dinner menu

Once breakfast winds down, the deli shifts into full sandwich service. Submarine sandwiches come loaded with combinations of imported and house-cured meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They also prepare hot sandwiches—meatball, sausage and peppers, chicken parmigiana—that come wrapped and ready to eat or take home.

The prepared pasta dishes rotate but typically include lasagna, baked ziti, and ravioli. You can order a single serving to eat there or a larger portion to take home. They also sell fresh pasta by the pound—ravioli, fettuccine, pappardelle—along with imported Italian cheeses, oils, vinegars, and canned goods for home cooking.

Location and hours

Quagliata Brothers operates multiple locations across South Carolina, and hours differ by location. Some open as early as 7 a.m. for breakfast; others start at 10 a.m. and focus mainly on lunch and dinner. The best way to confirm hours and location details is to call ahead or check their social media, as holiday hours and seasonal changes are common.

Parking is usually street parking or a small lot, depending on the location. The deli itself is small—counter service with limited seating—so many customers order to go, especially during the breakfast and lunch rush.

What to expect when you visit

This is a working deli, not a sit-down restaurant. You order at the counter, watch them build your sandwich or plate your pasta, and either eat at one of a few small tables or take your order with you. Service is friendly but brisk during peak hours. Cash is preferred but cards are accepted at most locations.

The deli is popular with regulars who have been coming for years, so you may see a line during breakfast and lunch hours. If you're in a hurry, calling ahead to place an order can save time. The staff will have your sandwich ready when you arrive.

Why Quagliata Brothers matters to South Carolina's food culture

Italian delis like Quagliata Brothers are part of South Carolina's immigrant heritage and working-class food tradition. The Quagliata family brought their recipes and techniques from Italy and built a business around doing one thing well: making sandwiches and pasta the way they learned it. In a state where chain restaurants dominate, a family deli that's been operating for over three decades is a rare thing.

The deli also serves as a source for imported Italian ingredients that are hard to find elsewhere in South Carolina—real San Marzano tomatoes, specific cheeses, cured meats you can't get at a supermarket. Home cooks and restaurant chefs both shop there for quality ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to order ahead or can you just walk in?

You can walk in, but calling ahead during breakfast and lunch hours means your order will be ready when you arrive. Peak times are 7 to 9 a.m. for breakfast and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch, so expect a short wait during those windows if you don't call first.

Can you buy fresh pasta to cook at home?

Yes. They sell fresh pasta by the pound, along with prepared sauces and imported ingredients. Ask at the counter what's available that day—the selection changes based on what they've made that morning.

Are there vegetarian breakfast options?

The breakfast menu is meat-heavy, but you can order egg and cheese on fresh bread, or ask about roasted vegetables and cheese combinations. Call ahead to confirm what's available, since the deli works with what they've prepared that morning.

What's the price range for breakfast?

Breakfast sandwiches typically run between $6 and $10 depending on what you order. Pastries and coffee are usually $3 to $5. Prices vary slightly by location.

Is there seating inside?

There are a few small tables, but seating is limited. Most customers take their order to go or eat standing at the counter. If you want to sit and eat, arrive during slower hours—mid-morning or mid-afternoon.