Home / Lifestyle / Sydney Deli Icon Pietro Rainieri Dies at 88
Sydney Deli Icon Pietro Rainieri Dies at 88
24 Feb
Summary
- Pietro Rainieri, founder of Raineri's Continental Delicatessen, passed away at 88.
- He began delivering goods in a station wagon in the 1960s.
- The family business became a cult favourite for its quality sandwiches.
Pietro Rainieri, the visionary behind Sydney's iconic Raineri's Continental Delicatessen in Five Dock, has passed away at the age of 88. Tributes celebrate his journey as a hardworking Italian migrant who built a thriving family business over four decades, significantly shaping the local culinary landscape.
Rainieri's humble beginnings trace back to the 1960s, with Pietro delivering Italian goods from his station wagon. By 1981, he and his wife Rosaria opened the modest deli, which steadily gained a reputation for exceptional quality and generous servings.
In recent years, Raineri's achieved cult status, with social media propelling its famous $15 sandwiches to new heights. Customers now queue daily for hours, with some travelling extensively across Sydney for the authentic experience. The deli continues its legacy, with Pietro's sons Sam and Joseph at the helm, upholding his commitment to affordability and hospitality. Pietro Rainieri is remembered not just as a businessman, but as a community icon whose presence was integral to the soul of Five Dock. His passing marks the end of an era for a generation that fostered community through food and family.
