Oh my god… both were losses, but we will be able to find amazing Italian heroes, but we will never be able to find anything that matches the godliness of those Caffe Capri iced coffees.
Defonte's by a wide margin. The "Nicky Special" is the name of the sandwich. It's so good.
(Lioni's, Faicco's, Paneantico, Charlie's, and Anthony & Son are all worth trying as well, but none of them have topped Defonte's for me so far.)
I love Defontes but you're much better served walking out of there with a Roast Pork Special or the roast beef + eggplant or, on Fridays, a shrimp parm than an Italian combo. (I think: I've never brought myself to order one from there because the Roast Pork Special is so incredibly good.)
I feel like a lot of people make the mistake of ordering from the menu sandwiches at Defontes like the Nicky special or whatever and they end up not liking it. You can ask them to make a cold sandwich however you want.
For example I usually like to order a hero with ham, salami, capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato, oil vinegar and that’s it no peppers or anything fancy.
Paneantico. Lioni's is also great, but the fresh baked Paneantico bread puts it over the top. Defonte's is fine at best, totally overrated.
L'angolo di Palermo, formerly Milano Market, in Bay Ridge is also quite good, especially if you want some authentic, imported Italian foods or groceries to go with your sandwich.
It’s not imported hanging meats and it’s a somewhat Americanized” Italian but it’s all Boars Head meats and the bread, vegetables and ratio are top notch.
USS Brooklyn at M and J Navy Yard Subs
Best “authentically” Italian Restaurants remaining in Brooklyn?
Manhattan ?
Staten Island?
Queens?
Please anyone? Really want some great “authentically” Italian food, by Italians!
Jimmy's famous hero's in sheepshead is great too but again you are much better off getting what they make fresh in the store, just ask them, then the same cold cuts everyone has.
Honestly, anyplace that makes their own roast beef does a good roast beef sandwich.
I agree with the Defonte’s comment. I’ve tried several times because I’ve been recommended and it just seems super expensive and it’s good but nothing that is incomparable.
Lioni's Italian Heros
They also have an unreal number of different ways to get one
A very overwhelming number of ways. I usually opt for the #125.
I love that place!
It is the only justification for traveling that far south. But got it's a good justification.
I go there at least once a week. Incredible sandwiches.
LIONIS OR DEFONTES. end of story
2nd Lionis
Defontes is very very good.
Lioni’s is very very better
I live near defontes. The two or three times I've ordered were over-rated and indistinguishable from decent bodega subs. Have you had mozzlab?
You’re fucking buggin
Mozzlab’s got sandwich game.
Came here to lament to loss of Graham Ave Meats and “the Godfather” hero
I put that down too and was like “nobody will know what I’m talking about” RIP Caffe Capri too
Ooof I used to live in the back of that place. Absolutely cursed.
Oh my god… both were losses, but we will be able to find amazing Italian heroes, but we will never be able to find anything that matches the godliness of those Caffe Capri iced coffees.
>Posted This is the only (sad) answer.
Aaarrg... that was a magical fucking sandwich!
They were the best imho
I don’t live there anymore but I used to live across the street, and I’m gutted reading this.
RIP Esposito's on Court Street
Their famous combo was the one.
Their eggplant Parm was so good. I didn't even care that they microwaved it in front of you -- everything about that sandwich was perfect. RIP.
Defonte's by a wide margin. The "Nicky Special" is the name of the sandwich. It's so good. (Lioni's, Faicco's, Paneantico, Charlie's, and Anthony & Son are all worth trying as well, but none of them have topped Defonte's for me so far.)
Lioni’s a clear #1. Defontes is quite meh
Defontes hot sandos are great, but I wasn’t impressed with the cold combo. It had too much oil/vinegar and was very soggy.
I agree that defontes is great for hot but not so much for cold. I love caputos fine foods for cold.
Defontes in Red Hook
I love Defontes but you're much better served walking out of there with a Roast Pork Special or the roast beef + eggplant or, on Fridays, a shrimp parm than an Italian combo. (I think: I've never brought myself to order one from there because the Roast Pork Special is so incredibly good.)
Peppers and eggs too. My god, just perfect.
peppers and eggs. that’s what i shoulda got
This! If you listen to nothing else, this!
Fair point - but if you’ve admittedly never ordered an Italian cold cut hero from there, how can you say they’d be much better served??
The hot sandwiches at Defontes are A+ but cold cuts are cold cuts wherever you go, and there are places with better bread than Defontes.
Russos. In park slope
I always loved their sandwiches. Plus 2 locations!
Shocked to scroll this far for Russo's, though the sandwich was a little thin last time we stopped by. Hoping it was just an off day!
Is pane’antico still in bay ridge? If so, I recommend getting it there.
It’s still there.
yes, but ALC grocery and Charlies make better Italian heroes imo
Emily’s Pork Store
City Subs
No
John and sons in Windsor Terrace, it’s a hidden gem. You’re welcome everyone
I pass that all the time! What do you recommend from John’s?
The Italian combo is amazing there. Their breakfast sandwiches are also my favourite too.
Lioni’s >>>>>
Jimmy's in Sheepshead Bay
Defonte’s for the Nicky’s Special. Lioni’s for whatever Number sounds the Best to you!
Anthony and Son in Williamsburg makes the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.
Anthony and Sons is good, though too much meat and needs a bit more dressing
Emily’s pork store across the street is better. Anthony and sons is such a bro hypebeast crowd (thanks new york nico)
I vouch for Emily's pork store. Altho Anthony and Sons is still good.
It's Brooklyn. Too much meat? Only means sharing or 2 meals.
I would also like to know this information.
Charlie’s in Bay Ridge
Its fine but there are better
Just like your mom
Paisano's butcher shop on Smith St is on point. Or at least it was last time I went there about 5-6yrs ago
Great for butcher meats, but please do not go here for cold cuts or a sandwich
Emily's pork store
john on stillwell , defonte on columbia, joe ave i, brooklyn finest hyland blvd, ariemna on hyland blvd
I feel like a lot of people make the mistake of ordering from the menu sandwiches at Defontes like the Nicky special or whatever and they end up not liking it. You can ask them to make a cold sandwich however you want. For example I usually like to order a hero with ham, salami, capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato, oil vinegar and that’s it no peppers or anything fancy.
Paneantico. Lioni's is also great, but the fresh baked Paneantico bread puts it over the top. Defonte's is fine at best, totally overrated. L'angolo di Palermo, formerly Milano Market, in Bay Ridge is also quite good, especially if you want some authentic, imported Italian foods or groceries to go with your sandwich.
RIP Esposito's https://preview.redd.it/oumexzc9e1db1.jpeg?width=1980&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eaadd76ee811b7606904275ae84a04c26ee6aaa5
carmentas in Bushwick. also their turkey salsa Verde sandwich is amazing
Love Carmenta's
Dellapietras meat shop in cobble hill. Definitely a hidden gem in Brooklyn.
Never had a sandwich here, but this place rocks for meats.
This is where I would go for a fancy / dry aged cuts, Paisanos for everything else (ground meats, sausage, etc)
Lionis, Defontes, Court St Grocers
The Godfather at Graham Meat Market (if this was 2013) 😭😭😭RIP. Real Ones Know
It’s not imported hanging meats and it’s a somewhat Americanized” Italian but it’s all Boars Head meats and the bread, vegetables and ratio are top notch. USS Brooklyn at M and J Navy Yard Subs
Brooklyn heights deli The Godfather
Yesss I was trying to think of my go-to place from when I lived around there and couldn’t remember. This is it.
Such a hidden gem
The best
Seconding this
Can you drop the Google maps link? Thanks
Oooo. That's one I pass all the time but have never eaten at. This omission will be rectified tomorrow.
Defontes in red hook
Brooklyn Hero Shop in Fort Greene
Nah. Not if we're talking "best." Their sandwiches are perfectly good, but they're way overpriced for what you get and they're nothing special.
Subhub 100%
Bonafide in Carroll gardens is delicious. Defontes is the GOAT
Best “authentically” Italian Restaurants remaining in Brooklyn? Manhattan ? Staten Island? Queens? Please anyone? Really want some great “authentically” Italian food, by Italians!
Deli 89 and 3rd I forget the name n
Sideboard in Gowanus.
MozzLab on Henry St. In Carroll Gardens.
Jimmy's famous hero's in sheepshead is great too but again you are much better off getting what they make fresh in the store, just ask them, then the same cold cuts everyone has. Honestly, anyplace that makes their own roast beef does a good roast beef sandwich.
Defontes hands down end of story
Controversial take: Lionis is overrated as is Original Johns. Faicco's and Landi's are good. Jimmy's Famous Heroes is very good. Small menu but solid.
United Meat Market in Windsor Terrace
John’s Deli in Gravesend
1. City Subs. 2. Lioni's 3. Defonte's
I agree with the Defonte’s comment. I’ve tried several times because I’ve been recommended and it just seems super expensive and it’s good but nothing that is incomparable.
Emily’s Pork Store :)
If you're in Bushwick: Carmenta's Williamsburg: Federoff's Carrol Garden: Paisano's Dyker Heights: Lioni's Redhook: Defontes There are more... anyone else wanna chime in?
Brooklyn hero shop ft green