Great news, Santa Barbara: Tino's Italian Grocery is now open! Or, it has reopened, if you're a local who remembers the original location on De La Guerra Street.

Now located in a spanking new storefront on West Carrillo Street – just blocks from the main downtown drag – Tino's is back and better than ever, selling gourmet foods that come from that charming little country shaped like a boot.

If you're in the mood to prepare a proper Italian dinner, this is where you're going to want to get your ingredients. It's also the perfect destination to get everything you need for a romantic picnic.

Shop for gourmet groceries, and then step up to the deli counter at Tino's — Photo courtesy of Geneva Ives

Tino's shelves are stocked with some of the finest imported Italian goods in town, including an impressive selection of spirits, sandwich spreads and pastries. They also have an array of Argentinian goods, which explains the shockingly large assortment of Yerba Mate teas available. 

While Tino's specialty groceries are definitely one reason to visit this charming store, the deli counter is the other reason. And we're not referring to the meat, cheese and antipasto selection (although they, too, are delicious).

Before the original Tino's closed following the death of Valentino "Tino" Ziliotto, it was well known, nay, famous for one thing: the Super Deluxe. Now that his sister has reopened the family business, the Super Deluxe is back!

The Super Deluxe is a submarine sandwich loaded with a mountain of Italian meats and cheese, piled with tomatoes and finely shredded lettuce, dressed with olive oil and topped with peppers. It is the stuff of legends and costs less than $10.

A delicious bird's-eye view of a Tino's Super Deluxe and Veggie Deluxe — Photo courtesy of Geneva Ives

If you're intimidated by the mouthwatering mountain that is the Super Deluxe, you can get the Deluxe (same sandwich, minus the ham and peppers) or the Regular (just meats and cheeses with dressing).

There is no place to eat your sandwich at Tino's, so they will bag it up for you to take to the final destination of your choice. If you want to eat your sandwich outside in your car because you just can't wait, you're sure to be in good company.

One word of warning if you're on vacation: don't visit Tino's too near the beginning of your trip, lest you become addicted and lose the willpower to try any of the other great lunch spots in Santa Barbara.

Also, we can't imagine that the Super Deluxe is helping anyone's bikini body.  

Tino's Italian Grocery is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (This last bit is particularly great news for area sandwich-lovers who have probably caught on to the fact that all the other good sub shops in Santa Barbara are closed on Sunday.)

There is plenty of free parking right out front, and Tino's is within easy walking distance of downtown shopping and hotels. 

Tino's has a wide assortment of imported Italian goods; this is their coffee and tea aisle — Photo courtesy of Geneva Ives