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DEFONTE'S SANDWICH SHOP

Updated

Phone: (718) 625-8052

Address: 379 COLUMBIA STREET 11231

TLDR

A century-old Italian-American sandwich institution known for massive, overstuffed heroes and a unique, crunchy 'hot salad.'

Reddit Sentiment for DEFONTE'S SANDWICH SHOP(based on 101 Reddit opinions)

72% Positive25% Neutral3% Negative

Tags

italian-american 43italian 33american 6sandwiches 36sandwich 29eggplant 9View All

Neighborhoods

Red Hook

Instagram Posts References

Defonte's is featured as a long-standing sandwich shop known for its robust Italian heroes. The video captures the classic exterior of the building and the interior walls adorned with historical photos and newspaper clippings, reflecting its rich legacy. The highlight is a large, hearty Italian-style sandwich, generously filled with a variety of cured meats, cheese, sautéed broccoli rabe, and vibrant roasted peppers, showcasing a blend of traditional flavors and substantial portions.

Featured Articles

Dedicated reviews and comprehensive features focusing directly on this restaurant.

Defonte's
very positive

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.

Willa Moore • Mar 14, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is mentioned alongside others.

Mentioned In
Leo's Latticini
positive

Defonte's is a highly-rated Italian sandwich shop in Red Hook, celebrated for over 100 years of making excellent sandwiches.

Will Hartman • May 27, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
The Best Sandwich Shops in NYC
positive

Will Hartman reviews Defonte's, an old-school Italian sandwich shop in Red Hook known for its generously portioned sandwiches. He highlights the Italian Stallion, featuring fried eggplant and prosciutto, as a must-try.

Will Hartman • Date unknown
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
The Best Sandwiches in New York City to Eat in a Park
positive

Willa Moore revisits Defonte's, a classic Red Hook sandwich shop known for overstuffed sandwiches like the Nicky's Special, best enjoyed waterfront.

Willa Moore, Staff Writer, NYC • Date unknown
Read More →
Infatuation

Details

Operating for over a century, this legendary Brooklyn institution is celebrated for its classic, overstuffed Italian-American sandwiches [2]. Known for its adherence to tradition, the shop offers a diverse menu of heroes and relies on unique ingredients like its signature 'hot salad'—a cold, crunchy pickled vegetable mix that cuts through rich flavors [2]. While the food garners high praise, diners should note the shop's cash-only policy [2] and limited seating, with many patrons preferring to take their meals to the nearby Red Hook waterfront [2], [3].

Food Overview

The menu focuses on classic Italian-American deli fare, with standout ingredients like crispy-fried eggplant, which remains firm even in saucy sandwiches [2]. While almost all sandwiches receive praise, the chicken cutlet is occasionally criticized for becoming soggy from the steam table [8]. The shop is beloved for its generous portions, often serving as a full-meal experience [2], [8].

Customer Sentiment

Patrons overwhelmingly consider this shop an iconic, must-visit destination for high-quality Italian sandwiches [1], [2], [8]. While feedback is largely stellar, some note the limited indoor seating and Sunday closures as minor inconveniences [2], [7].

Most Mentioned Dishes

  • 01
    steak pizzaiola
    7 mentions
  • 02
    roast pork special
    7 mentions
  • 03
    golden boy
    5 mentions
  • 04
    nicky special
    4 mentions
  • 05
    chicken cutlet
    3 mentions
  • 06
    roast pork
    3 mentions

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About DEFONTE'S SANDWICH SHOP

This thread contains numerous endorsements for signature items, specifically highlighting the Roast Pork Special and Steak Pizzaiola as standout sandwiches.
An extensive discussion dedicated to ranking the best menu items, featuring detailed recommendations from regulars.
Users discuss the lack of seating at the shop and suggest enjoying the food by the water in Red Hook instead.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Day Off Tomorrow What Should I Get That Usually

"Seconded recommendation for the roast pork."

Positive
Sep 21, 2026View Comment →

From post: Day Off Tomorrow What Should I Get That Usually

"Highly recommended for their sandwiches."

Positive
Sep 21, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Wedding After Party Bites

"A user expresses confusion regarding the current operational status of the restaurant."

Neutral
Sep 17, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Breaded Steak Sandwich Like Chicagos

"This restaurant is suggested as a place to try a steak sandwich, specifically the steak pizzaiola."

Neutral
Sep 15, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For Wedding After Party Bites

"A recommendation for catering a birthday event that was described as perfect."

Positive
Sep 12, 2026View Comment →

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