Best of the Northland

Gunuccis’s Italian Market

Ganucci’s Italian Market has won the award as the best kept secret. So why are they a secret? First off, the name “Italian Market” might keep you from knowing it’s a restaurant. Plus, when driving down the busy block of Central Avenue where it’s located, you are often too busy avoiding an accident to notice the store front, especially since there’s a long line of similar-looking shops along the block. Ganucci’s mostly relies on word of mouth. “We don’t do a lot of advertising. I mean advertising is a good thing to do but we don’t do a lot of it,” said owner Bill Kalligher. But those who know the secret like the secret location. “People like the food and the homey feeling,” said Bill. Also, there’s easy free parking on the side of the building and behind it. “People go to a lot of family restaurants that aren’t family run.” But this restaurant is family run by an Italian family. Bill’s grandfather came over from Italy. Bill says they are always trying to make the restaurant better and he admits there is always room to grow. “We are a small family business and honestly sometimes it is a little overwhelming but we keep plugging away,” said Bill.

Runner Up: Eddies Ribs in Superior and Trapper Pete’s Steakhouse in Cloquet ended up in a tie.