Mickey’s Italian Delicatessen

Frequently hailed as the "pioneer of authentic Italian market and deli in the South Bay," Mickey's Italian Delicatessen made its debut in 1953. Its founder, Michael Angelo "Mickey" Mance, was only 22 years old and had just returned from the Korean War. Armed with his life savings of $2,000 and a modest loan from his father, he established his own deli, conveniently located near Hermosa Beach. The Mance family's closely guarded pasta sauce recipe, now available for purchase in bottles, swiftly captivated the local surfing community, transforming Mickey's into a beloved Hermosa hotspot.