SHREVEPORT, La. — A legendary Shreveport eatery is approaching a major milestone: nearly a century of feeding generations of loyal customers. Fertitta’s Deli may have started as a neighborhood grocery steeped in Italian ingredients, but it has cemented its legacy thanks to one signature creation — the beloved muffuletta, known locally as “The Muffy.”
During the holiday season, the iconic red-and-white building on Fairfield Avenue is busier than ever, just as it has been for nearly 100 years.
“I grew up with the neighborhood,” owner Agatha Fertitta McCall said. “There was a Sicilian grocery store on every corner, and we’re the only ones that survived.”
Founded in 1927 by McCall’s grandparents, Fertitta’s originally specialized in olive oil, Italian spices, and other traditional ingredients. Her father later introduced the muffuletta to Shreveport, even shortening its name to “The Muffy” to save money on the neon sign. The family trademarked the name.
“Of course, the New Orleans version was just a cold sandwich,” McCall explained. “My dad started heating it, which made it unique. We used American cold cuts instead of Italian, and our olive salad is different because it was my grandmother’s recipe.”…