Dining and Cooking
New York City Food

Best Italian Heros?


I love hot Italian sandwiches: chicken parm, chicken pesto, meatball parm, basically anything parm or with sauce. With that said, I've tried many iconic places throughout the Nyc, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, but definitely not all of the classics. For reference, I've had hot Italian heros from:
– Lioni's in Brooklyn (chicken vodka parm, one of the best, ever)
– Mozzlab in Brooklyn (chicken parm, their fresh mozz is to die for)
– Royal Crown in Staten Island (chicken parm (with vodka also) their bread is off the chains)
– Parisi Bakery in East Village (chicken parm, I thought the sauce had too much oregano, but great bread)
– Faicco's in West Village (the bread was so good! I got the chicken pesto and chicken vodka parm, the vodka parm was lacking sauce imo, but the chicken pesto was one of the best I've had)
– Milano West Side Market in UES (tripe S(pesto, marinara, vodka), did not live up to the hype, overrated in my opinion)
– Denino's in Staten Island (yes, they have a Staten Island location lol. chicken parm, awesome sandwich anyday)
Alright, that should help my creditability a little and give you a picture of what I like. Now, I have other places on my list to try, like:
– Defontes in Brooklyn
– B&A Pork Store in Brooklyn
– Supper in East Village
– Diso's Food Truck in the Financial District
– Pizza Loves Sauce in LES
– Carlo's Grocery in Brooklyn
– Mike's Deli in the Bronx
Is there any place I am missing or need to try or add to my list? Any input is appreciated and helpful, cheers.

P.S. I made this post also to help me keep track of places I've been and want to go.

Edit:
I feel so overwhelmed with all of the great suggestions given here, where do I start! I thought the best thing to do here is to update my list right here so others can also take advantage of all of these amazing places. So here is my current updated list (checked places indicates I’ve been, 2 checks are a MUST) :

Manhattan:

Staten Island:

Brooklyn: 

Queens: 

Bronx:

Hoboken:

Bonus: 

by Late_Ingenuity_9240

38 Comments

  1. WelcomeToBrooklandia

    The FDNY hero (chicken parm with vodka sauce) at Anthony & Son in Williamsburg is the best version I’ve had.

  2. JayMoots

    Your list is good. Defonte’s is the GOAT.  Maybe add Fiore’s in Hoboken, and Charlie’s in Bay Ridge. 

    (Paneantico in Bay Ridge is also good, but it’s the same owners as Crown Royal, so I think you wouldn’t be necessarily tasting anything new. Same incredible bread.)

  5. Drizzykara

    John’s deli in Brooklyn. Roast beef sandwich is incredible

  6. alienbbzinmy4ter0s

    Casa della mozzarella in the bronx

  10. Cosmicfeline_

    Regina’s Grocery is way better than Milano Market on the UES

  11. Airforcethrow4321

    John’s Deli and Jimmy’s Heroes in Southern Brooklyn

  12. cawfytawk

    Peppinos in Park slope brooklyn serves up amazing meatball, chicken parm and grilled chicken caprese hero’s on their homemade pizza dough bread!

  13. JoeSatana

    anything at Mike’s Deli in Arthur Aenue’s Retail market, BRONX, that’s real Italian!

  14. RoosterClan2

    Tinos in Arthur Ave (Bronx). And FWIW the Milano Market on the west side (113 and Broadway) is way better than the UES location. Different owners too that apparently hate each other. Family feud of sorts.

  15. Major-Environment-29

    Instead of (or in addition to). Mikes Deli in that neighborhood try:

    -Casa Della Mozzarella (my fav)
    -Tino’s
    -Calabria Pork Store,
    -Joes Deli

    Also in The Bronx check out G+R over in Morris Park

  17. whooocarreess

    fyi deninos originated in staten island.

  18. throwawayzies1234567

    Vinny’s in Carroll Gardens – shrimp parm hero

  20. m_ja

    Milanos in Jersey City (steps from exchange place PATH so very convenient to NYC) is worth a trip.

  22. dummonger

    Great list here.

    I’ll also add the chicken parm hero from L+B spumoni gardens

  23. rmpbklyn

    joe ave u , delfont on colombia street, john deli stillwell

  25. jackdud

    I wouldn’t say it’s the best out of all the places already listed but [Mama’s too](https://www.mamastoo.com/) is definitely worth a visit and should be added to your list. I think they have a select rotation of sandwiches but I vaguely remember it being on certain days only (wednesdays?)

  26. GuzzyRawks

    I know you said hot sandwiches, but I recently had an Italian cold cut sandwich from Leo’s Latticini (AKA Mama’s) in Corona and it was phenomenal. It’s called the Mama Special.

  27. wasabinyc

    Regina’s on mulberry street is really terrific …less known, but probably the OG of great Italian sandwich spots

  29. Maximum_Information7

    City Subs, Park Slope Brooklyn

    Their mortadella provolone is bangin

  30. mk_sv

    Been meaning to try the Artichoke Parm at Mama Louisa’s

  34. Vindadu13

    Also, not Italian but you should check out a TCS from cherry valley in Whitestone. I haven’t been there in a few years but worth it if still the same.

  35. SeriesSenior3327

    Disos Italian sandwich society is a good list addition

  36. jaymmm

    MAMA’s in Corona Queens
    Jimmy’s Famous Hero’s in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn
    John’s Deli in Gravesend Brooklyn
    BTW, Denino’s original location is the Staten Island one.
    Defontes (Sloppy Nicks) is the GOAT
    Fiores in Hoboken is also excellent

  38. twoanddone_9737

    Honestly it’s not exactly traditional since it’s got mayo but the Italian combo from Court Street Grocers is one of my favorite sandwiches in the city

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