Profile

Even though family-owned Durso’s Pasta and Ravioli Company—located on a tree-lined street in suburban Queens—is beyond walking distance from the last stop on the 7 train, the homemade goodies and fresh mozzarella entice fans with cars from near and far. Most everything at this sophisticated deli is made on the premises: The more than 50 daily dishes, ranging from orange-battered chicken to stuffed breads, and a mind-boggling array of filled ravioli–from classic cheese and rich lobster to heart-shaped pasta pillows with low-fat (half a gram per serving) versions. (Shoppers also tout some of the distinctly non-Italian items, like the store-made tortilla chips and papaya salsa.) Durso’s catering office next door can provide a feast for 20 to 200, and the extensive catering menu stretches almost as far as their delivery area: from Long Island to Connecticut. — Jessica Wakeman