Prontos’ Gourmet Market & Eatery is a family-owned and operated restaurant in the heart of Carlsbad Village, California. Since 1995, they have been serving their community by offering a variety of gourmet hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, pasta, and more, all prepared fresh.
In their market, I found a selection of meats, cheeses, breads, snacks, and salads. They also sell pasta and homemade pasta sauces, BBQ sauces, oils, and canned fish for making meals at home.
Additionally, they provide dinner-to-go options like pizza, lasagna, and chicken parmesan. They even make their bread and rolls in-house.
After hearing that Prontos’ was a must-visit restaurant in North County, I made it a priority to stop by during my recent visit to Carlsbad Village.
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Prontos’ Gourmet Market & Eatery Menu
Given the restaurant’s small size, the menu at Prontos’ Gourmet Market & Eatery was much more extensive than I was expecting.
The menu included cold and hot sandwiches, pasta, salads, wraps, sides, and a kid’s menu.
Sandwich options included California Turkey, Super Italian Sub, Chicken Club, Meatball Sub, Grilled Cheese BLT, and French Dip.
You had Baked Ravioli Lasagna, Fettuccini Alfredo, Meat Lovers Spaghetti, and more for pasta.
The salads included Classic Greek Salad, Caesar Salad, and Garden Salad with various dressings. The wraps included Buffalo Chicken Wrap and Caesar Wrap.
For sides, you had options including Boardwalk fries, with hand-cut potatoes topped with Parmesan and Meatballs.
Finally, the kids’ menu offered child-friendly options, including Grilled Cheese and Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich.
You can view the entire menu at https://prontosmarket.com/menu/.
Super Italian Sub
I ordered the Super Italian Sub. The sandwich had mortadella, capicola, salami, provolone, onion, greens, tomatoes, pepperoncini, parmesan, and balsamic vinegar on soft Italian roll.
While simple, the Super Italian Sub looked beautiful. Its colors, white, red, and green, reminded me of the Italian flag.
As for sliced meats, there was mortadella, capicola, and salami, whose textures and flavors complemented each other.
The mortadella had a smooth, creamy texture and a nutty, rich flavor. The capicola had a savory taste and mild spiciness, with a tender, fatty texture. The salami was rich and savory, with a firm yet tender texture.
The toppings included red onion, crunchy fresh lettuce, slices of fresh tomatoes, and spicy and tangy pepperoncini. Next time, I will ask for extra red onion, as there were only a few slices.
Provolone and grated parmesan finished off this sub. The provolone had a mild flavor, while the grated parmesan was salty and sharp.
Finally, the Italian sub roll was light and airy with a soft crust and a chewy texture. The bread never fell apart, even with all the toppings.
Drizzled into the bread was a generous amount of balsamic vinegar, adding a sweet, tangy flavor.
Pasta Salad
The pasta salad was small, with large shell pasta cooked al dente to a perfect texture.
The diced carrots added sweetness and a crunchy bite, while the celery brought freshness and color.
The tangy dressing was creamy, rich, and salty. It wasn’t too thick or thin, just enough to coat all the pasta and vegetables.
Service at Prontos’ Gourmet Market & Eatery
I placed my order and paid at the counter during my visit, limiting my interaction with the staff.
However, the staff seemed friendly and welcoming, even to new customers like myself.
And they were efficient, as my sandwich was ready in about 10 minutes, allowing me enough time to browse the market.
Conclusion
Prontos’ Gourmet Market & Eatery is a gem in Carlsbad Village, and the family-owned business is an essential part of the community.
Despite many such places disappearing, Prontos’ succeeds by catering to repeat customers and new visitors like myself.
Everything they make, whether the sandwiches with freshly baked bread or lasagna, uses only high-quality ingredients. Their commitment to quality has kept them going strong since 1995.
Whether you’re a local or visiting, Prontos’ is worth a stop for its fresh, flavorful food and warm, friendly service.
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