America's 5 Best Salumerias

Wherever you may find yourself this summer, when hunting sliced meats for a summer picnic find the nearest salumeria. For the uninitiated, that's Italian for "a wonderful oasis of cold cuts, including salamis, prosciutto, cheeses, and other accoutrements." Finding a good one in the States has never been more exciting than now. Here's a list of destination-worthy places curated by artisans who love their pork and love peddling it to a pig-eating nation. If you love cured meat, this list should be your bible.

Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto
283 Amsterdam Ave, New York, N.Y. (212) 877-4800

Cesare Casella, a Lucca native, brings superior ribbons of quality prosciuttos, fennel salamis, Parmacotto hams, and a myriad of sides to the Upper West Side. We're not talking simple sliced meats here. This is not just any salumeria! With Casella's signature Italian touch of tradition and passion, and a sprig of rosemary stuffed in his pocket, he serves "assaggi" (small plates) elevated Tuscan dishes. There is also Insalata Pontormo (a salad of soft scrambled eggs, guanciale, pancetta, and greens) or pasta all'amatriciana (left), a classic Roman dish with Cesare's signature nine meats, onions, tomatoes, and artisanal pasta. But the real draw here is the "selezione," a variety of sized samples, sliced salumi, and prosciuttos.

Cochon Butcher
2930 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LO (504) 588-PORK

Chefs Steven Stryjewski and Donald Link of Herbsaint do homemade meats and sausages on premises Cajun-style. Along with exotic salamis, there are Andouille, Boudin, and Tasso to satisfy the spice in you.

Boccalone
Ferry Building Marketplace Shop 21, San Francisco, Calif. (415) 433-6500

Chef Chris Cosentino and Mark Pastore of Incanto, rescued an old Portugese sausage making factory that had been grinding sausages and salamis since 1900 and made it their own. All the favorites are here — Cosentino and Pastore supply many other restaurants in area with their elevated pork products. Order online or grab a" Sammy" at their small shop in the Ferry Marketplace.

2309 3rd Ave South, Seattle, Wash. (206) 621-8772
Mario Batali's "Papa" Armandino Batali decided on a career change for his beloved salumi after 30 years of working for Boeing. Now he soars with artisanal meats and cheeses. When sliced they come alive with the rich flavor of Italy and yes... PORK!

Jimmy's
4901 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas (214) 823-6180

A full-service grocery store from the Di Carlo family, they've been serving sandwiches and making traditional Italian pork sausages and salamis since 1966. All the favorites are here, Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella, and Coppa along with old family recipes like "Mama's Meatballs" and Lasagna.