"Lioni Italian Heroes has over 150 different sandwich variations on the menu, and if that sounds daunting, just ask for help. Someone behind the counter asks you a few questions—“Do you like prosciutt?” and “What about a cutlet?”—before telling you to get the #12, or say the #62. It's all done with the confidence of someone who has every sandwich and its corresponding number memorized, and they probably do—this Bensonhurst shop has been around since 1980. photo credit: Willa Moore The whole place smells like their hot bread, which has an excellent blistery flaky exterior, and an interior that seems specifically engineered to soak up fresh mozzarella and drizzles of olive oil. Things move relatively quickly at Lioni, despite a sign that reads “Special Sandwiches Cannot Be Rushed, One Of The Principal Ingredients Is Time.” But if you find yourself waiting, there's an olive bar and an impressive variety of dairy products—including their fresh mozzarella—that you can peruse or purchase. Food Rundown photo credit: Willa Moore #12 The Sophia Loren “This One Is Beautiful" At first glance, this has all the makings of a classic combination—mozzarella, prosciutto, and iceberg lettuce. But then there are the stuffed sweet peppers. They’re filled with well-seasoned breadcrumbs, which basically means you’re eating bread on bread. As you should be. photo credit: Willa Moore #62 Alyssa Milano “Call Collect For This One” Leaving an Italian sandwich shop without getting one hot sandwich and one cold sandwich is a sin, so try the #62 too. The chicken cutlet is topped with warm fresh mozzarella, crispy prosciutto that crunches like a potato chip, and an herb salad, which tastes more like an unblended pesto." - Willa Moore
