TLDR
Century-old Red Hook legend serving massive, overstuffed Italian heroes. Iconic, classic deli vibes with standout fried eggplant and roast pork specialties.
Reddit Sentiment for DEFONTE'S SANDWICH SHOP(based on 97 Reddit opinions)
Instagram Posts References
Defonte's is a legendary Italian sandwich shop located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, with a history spanning over a hundred years. It is highly regarded by both locals and celebrities, attracting people from far and wide to experience their famous "heroes." The reviewer, returning after 15 years, affirms that the quality of their offerings has not diminished. The establishment is known for its massive sandwiches, ensuring customers leave feeling full. Popular options include the Nicky's Special and the Roast Pork, with other notable mentions such as the Joey D, Valentino Special, Golden Boy, and Chenzo 13. The shop operates on a cash-only basis.
Willa Moore reviews Defonte's, a century-old Italian sandwich shop in Brooklyn, praising its overstuffed sandwiches and classic charm. The article highlights the 'hot salad' and the popular fried eggplant.
Details
A quintessential, century-old Red Hook institution, this deli is celebrated for its massive, overstuffed Italian-American hero sandwiches [2], [4]. Renowned for adhering to tradition, the shop maintains a loyal following that frequently praises iconic offerings like the roast pork special [3], [4]. While the food earns near-universal acclaim, patrons often note that the experience is best enjoyed by taking these hearty creations to a nearby waterfront or park [4], [5].
Food Overview
This deli is famous for its classic Italian hero sandwiches, with the fried eggplant appearing as a standout, frequently recommended ingredient that retains its crispness even in saucy builds [2], [3]. Customers consistently rave about the roast pork, roast beef, and the unique 'hot salad'—a cold, pickled vegetable medley that adds a necessary acidic crunch [2], [3]. While many sandwiches are highly regarded, several patrons explicitly advise avoiding the chicken cutlet, noting it often arrives soggy from the steam table [5].
Highlights / Recommended
"The roast pork special and any combination featuring fried eggplant, fresh mozzarella, and hot salad are consistently cited as the best items on the menu [2], [3]. Other highly recommended options include the Nicky's Special and the steak pizzaiola [2], [5]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •steak pizzaiola(4)
- •nicky special(3)
- •roast pork special(3)
- •chicken cutlet(3)
- •nicky's special(3)
- •golden boy(2)
- •valentino special(2)
- •roast beef, eggplant, and mozz(2)
- •enzo(2)
- •steak piazolla(2)
Customer Sentiment
The establishment enjoys a overwhelmingly positive reputation as a 'must-visit' NYC institution, with fans regularly citing it as a top-tier sandwich destination [1], [4]. While service and atmosphere are rarely focal points, customers occasionally express frustration regarding the limited seating and the shop's closure on Sundays [4], [5].
Caveats
The shop is cash-only [2], [4] and remains closed on Sundays, which frequently catches tourists off guard [5]. Additionally, seating is extremely limited, so visitors are often encouraged to plan for outdoor dining [4], [5].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About DEFONTE'S SANDWICH SHOP
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: What Burgers Should I Eat During A Week Off From
"Praised the Defonte's roast pork special as the best sandwich in NYC."
PositiveFrom post: What Burgers Should I Eat During A Week Off From
"Suggested Defonte's for a roast beef, eggplant, mozzarella, or roast pork sandwich."
PositiveFrom post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your
"The user's personal favorite is the prosciutto sandwich with fried eggplant and mozzarella, especially when paired with balsamic glaze, chips, and a cold coke."
PositiveFrom post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your
"For this user, the roast beef with mozzarella and eggplant sandwich is their favorite, a choice they always return to after trying other options when they haven't visited in a while."
PositiveFrom post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your
"This user adds that the steak pizzaiola is also a standout dish at Defonte's."
PositiveFrom post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your
"The user consistently praises the Defonte's roast pork special, stating it's something they get excited about every time and it never disappoints, even though they've had it many times before."
PositiveFrom post: Recommendations For Sandwich Restaurants That Are
"This commenter recommended Defontes."
PositiveFrom post: Which Place Gives You Insane Sized Meals Doesnt
"This user recommended Defonte's in Red Hook."
PositiveFrom post: Anyone Have Any Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Recs Have
"Agrees that Defontes' chicken cutlet is not good, stating that everything else is great."
NegativeFrom post: Anyone Have Any Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Recs Have
"Had the steak piazolla and found it excellent, and plans to try the Enzo and Nicky special."
PositiveFrom post: Anyone Have Any Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Recs Have
"Recommends the Enzo, steak piazolla, and Nicky special at Defontes."
PositiveFrom post: Anyone Have Any Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Recs Have
"Agrees that the chicken cutlet is not the best at Defontes, recommending the roast beef, eggplant, and mozzarella sandwich instead."
NegativeFrom post: Anyone Have Any Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Recs Have
"This user, a fan of Defontes, states their chicken cutlet is not good because it gets soggy from the steam table and advises against traveling for it, recommending other sandwiches instead."
NegativeFrom post: Anyone Have Any Chicken Cutlet Sandwich Recs Have
"Defontes is listed as a recommendation."
PositiveFrom post: Best Ovenbaked Chicken Parm Sub
"This user expressed nostalgia for DeFontes and inquired about the fate of its second location."
NeutralFrom post: Best Ovenbaked Chicken Parm Sub
"This user recommended DeFontes for its pizza and describes it as a Brooklyn hero shop."
PositiveFrom post: Where Is The Best Nyc French Dip
"Adding pesto to the roast beef sandwich at Defontes is suggested to elevate its flavor."
PositiveFrom post: Where Is The Best Nyc French Dip
"This is a good recommendation but not a traditional French Dip."
NeutralFrom post: Where Is The Best Nyc French Dip
"This commenter initially misread Defontes as Deftones, causing confusion."
NeutralFrom post: Where Is The Best Nyc French Dip
"Defontes roast beef special with hot salad and gravy on the side is recommended."
Positive