Sandwiched between the Golden Brown Tanning Salon and The Great American Bagel, The Sicilian Bakery grants a tiny patch of Italian culture amidst strip mall disarray. Family owned since the 1950s, the Rubinos' bakery was relocated to its current almost suburban location in 1996. Although something of a hike for city dwellers, the diminutive storefront offers patrons from miles around a panoply of Sicilian fare available six days a week.

Bursting with life even during lulls, the bakery is lined with pastry-filled glass cases and peppered with evidence of its Italian customer base. "Piacere prendete un numero," instructs a sign near the spinning ice cream cake display case, and stacks of Italian newspapers are accessible for purchase.

A health-conscious establishment, the store uses non-hydrogenated oil in its array of products. Carb-hungry consumers can choose from a variety of traditional Italian breads such as friselle, a round bread perfect for bruchetta, torpedo, a long, crusty sandwich bread and a classic pan loaf. Eight-inch tomato, cheese, olive and artichoke focaccia are available daily, as well as a nine-inch rosemary focaccia on weekends. Also on hand, pizza, sandwiches, wraps and Panini.

If dessert is your thing, the bakery carries everything from cake to cookies to ice cream to classic Italian pastries like cannoli and tiramisu. Offering seasonal specials and discounts for seniors as well as an easy to use website, after decades of service, the Sicilian Bakery continues to find new ways to serve customers young and old.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler