Italians take ground

Joseph DeLiberto and family were stuck inside like everyone else this past heat-wave weekend, but unlike most of us, the DeLibertoes were happy to be cooking at hot stoves.

The family was busy prepping for the opening of Cousins Italian Deli, 7 N. 3rd St., across the street from the New Hanover County Courthouse. The deli opened July 2.

Meantime, Falcone’s Italian restaurant has opened in Waterford Center, near Harris Teeter on Old Regent Way in Leland.

Sicilian DeLiberto was making his family homeland’s signature rice balls while his wife, Debby, peeled roasted peppers. Mounds of fried bacon, tomato-loaded bins and a tray of fried eggplant filled other counters. Daughters Chelsea, 20, and Haley, 18, helped wherever needed.

Breakfast sandwiches, hot and cold lunch sandwiches on long and round rolls, salads and desserts fill Cousins’ menu. The Giuseppe stack features capicola, fried eggplant, mozzarella, sun-dried tomato and fresh basil. Grilled vegetables and mozzarella come on the Rome. And good news Jerseyites: Taylor Ham and egg sandwiches are available.

Each day also brings a pasta special and an entrée special, both of which are available for take-out, noteable when it’s too hot to cook.

Before moving South, DeLiberto for 17 years operated a Cousins in Paterson, N.J.

Falcone’s grew from Falcone’s Pizzeria in Whitehouse Station, N.J.

For 28 years, Ozario “Mike” Falcone and family also operated Falcone’s, a 300-seat Italian restaurant in Martinsville, N.J., son Frank Falcone said.

In a neat dining room with tables and a few bar seats overlooking the kitchen, Falcone’s serves pizza and Italian classic entrees like stuffed shells, cavatelli and broccoli, eggplant parmesan and sausage and peppers.

Falcone’s award-winning cheesesteak is on the list, as well. It was named one of central Jersey’s best by the state’s Courier-Post newspaper.