Stepping into Leo’s Latticini deli is like traveling in time and space: the smell of mozzarella cheese is thick in the air, faded postcards from Italy line the walls, dry “salsiccia” and rolls of provolone hanging from the ceiling create an atmosphere that echoes that of a village in Southern Italy. This is one of the reasons that makes Leo’s Latticini – Leo’s dairy products – not just a restaurant, a deli and a patisserie in Corona, but a symbol of a family tradition standing on the corner of 46 and 104th St. since the mid 1930s. Throughout 80 years of history this place has stood still while all around was changing.

Irene is preparing the famous “Mamas’ special” sandwich while Marie chats with a member of the Mets’ clubhouse

There is a visceral relation between the neighborhood of Corona and the Mets

For the Mamas of Corona making mozzarella is a way to keep a family tradition alive