A century-old Brooklyn institution serving legendary, overstuffed Italian heroes with unique "hot salad" and crisp fried eggplant [1, 2].
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.
Defonte's is a legendary Italian-American sandwich shop in Brooklyn with a history spanning over a century, celebrated for its massive, overstuffed heroes [1, 2]. The shop is known for its classic charm and unique offerings like the "hot salad" (a pickled vegetable mix) and perfectly fried eggplant that stays crisp even with saucy fillings [1]. Popular choices include the "Nicky's Special" and the "Roast Pork Special," making it a highly recommended destination for sandwich enthusiasts [1, 2].
Defonte's is renowned for its colossal Italian-American sandwiches, with standout items including the "Nicky's Special" (ham, capicola, salami, fried eggplant, hot salad) and the "Roast Pork Special" [1]. The "Steak pizzaiola" is also frequently mentioned as excellent [1]. The "hot salad" (a pickled vegetable mix) and thinly sliced fried eggplant are signature components that contribute to the sandwiches' appeal [1]. Fried calamari is noted as a Friday-only special [3].
"The "Nicky's Special" with ham, capicola, salami, fried eggplant, and "hot salad" is a highly recommended signature sandwich [1, 2]. Other popular choices include the "Steak Pizzaiola," "Roast Pork Special," and any sandwich featuring their well-regarded fried eggplant [1]."
Customers overwhelmingly praise Defonte's for its massive, delicious sandwiches, with many calling it one of the best they've ever eaten [1]. The quality and classic nature of the sandwiches are frequently highlighted as major draws.
Important Note
While highly recommended, some users note that Defonte's can be out of the way and suggest it might not be worth a special trip for tourists unless already in the area. Additionally, seating is extremely limited, with recommendations to eat elsewhere like a park or by the water. The restaurant is cash-only [1, 4].
"Agrees that Defontes' chicken cutlet is not good, stating that everything else is great."
Negative"Had the steak piazolla and found it excellent, and plans to try the Enzo and Nicky special."
Positive"Recommends the Enzo, steak piazolla, and Nicky special at Defontes."
Positive"Agrees that the chicken cutlet is not the best at Defontes, recommending the roast beef, eggplant, and mozzarella sandwich instead."
Negative"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."
Negative"Defontes is listed as a recommendation."
Positive"This user expressed nostalgia for DeFontes and inquired about the fate of its second location."
Neutral"This user recommended DeFontes for its pizza and describes it as a Brooklyn hero shop."
Positive"Adding pesto to the roast beef sandwich at Defontes is suggested to elevate its flavor."
Positive"This is a good recommendation but not a traditional French Dip."
Neutral"This commenter initially misread Defontes as Deftones, causing confusion."
Neutral"Defontes roast beef special with hot salad and gravy on the side is recommended."
Positive"DeFontes is recommended as a sandwich shop to try."
Positive"The user suggests De fontes as an alternative, mentioning that while it won't be the same as Eggslut, their egg and potato dish is a good option."
Positive"This commenter suggests adding Defonte's for their 'egg and potato' sandwich."
Positive"The commenter questions why Defonte's is not included on the sandwich tour list."
Neutral"Defonte's is mentioned as a preferred sandwich shop, though it's noted that it's not located in the Williamsburg or DUMBO areas."
Positive"The roast pork special is a favorite, with the fried eggplant acting as a buffer to prevent the bread from getting soggy."
Positive"A recommended combination is the roast beef with fresh mozzarella and fried eggplant with gravy."
Positive"The fried eggplant sandwich with sauce and grated cheese is a favorite. The eggplant is battered and fried to be crispy."
Positive
