Prosciutto and caprese sandwiches from a real St. Pete icon
Just past security by Gates 7–11 in the Main terminal, Mazzaro Italian Market brings a mini version of the famous St. Pete shop into PIE. It’s one of the only truly local names in the airport, with a short menu of Italian‑leaning grab‑and‑go instead of generic subs. Expect a price tier around $$, slightly above the in‑town market but normal for airport food.
The setup is simple: cold case, counter, coffee machine, all post‑security near the Allegiant gate cluster. Reviews put the rating at about 4 stars, with praise focused on sandwiches that actually taste like the main Mazzaro location. Seating in the gate area handles the overflow when there aren’t many empty tables right by the stand.
Food skews to sandwiches and coffee rather than hot entrées. Regulars call the prosciutto and caprese sandwiches the safest bets, especially if you catch them right after a fresh batch hits the case. Figure on airport‑standard pricing for a made‑to‑order‑level sandwich, more than fast food but still under what you’d pay for a sit‑down meal in town.
Selection is limited compared with the full Mazzaro in St. Petersburg on 22nd Avenue; don’t come expecting pasta counters and giant pastry cases. Multiple Google reviews complain about stale or dried‑out sandwiches later in the day, and a few mention slow service when several Allegiant flights leave within the same 60‑minute window.
What regulars do: local Allegiant flyers grab a sandwich and coffee here and skip buying food onboard altogether. Some check the date sticker on the wrapper or ask staff what time the sandwiches were made that day, then pick the newest ones for the flight.
Practical tip: hit Mazzaro right after clearing security near Gates 7–11 and ask directly, “What was made most recently today?” before you choose a sandwich to take to your seat or on the plane.