Defonte's Sandwich Shop
Sandwich shop · Red Hook
379 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Highlights
Huge heroes stuffed with fried eggplant or chicken parm
Huge heroes stuffed with fried eggplant or chicken parm
"Open since 1922, Defonte’s is the old-school Italian sandwich shop blueprint. They serve big fat sandwiches with names like Golden Boy and Zio Vito—many of them padded with their incredibly thin fried eggplant. Someone who drove in from Jersey stands in line next to you, and the person behind the counter might be a little peeved that you’re trying to order at 3:15pm, even though they close at 4pm. A visit to this cash-only spot in Red Hook is required eating." - willa moore, will hartman, bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick
"Think of your favorite Italian deli. Okay, now imagine that place makes sandwiches even more delicious by drizzling hot gravy or draping lightly fried eggplant on top. That’s Defonte’s, located on a near-empty industrial street. You can tell this cash-only, 1920s sandwich institution means business based on the line of off-duty firefighters waiting for lunch. Get the hot roast pork sandwich with juicy, rich gravy and fried eggplant, or the Italian combo, which has a layer of pepperoni on it." - willa moore, hannah albertine
"Defonte’s is the old school Italian sandwich shop blueprint. They serve big fat sandwiches with names like Italian Stallion and The Zio Vito, there's someone who drove in from Jersey standing in line next to you, and the person behind the counter might be a little peeved that you’re trying to order at 3:15pm, even though they close at 4pm. A visit to this cash-only spot in Red Hook is the best Saturday adventure, and if it’s nice out you can head down to Louis Valentino Jr. pier and eat there. The Order: Absolutely anything that has a layer of fried eggplant on it—which is most sandwiches here. But we like the Italian Stallion, with fried eggplant, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and a half inch thick layer of prosciutto. And yes, the macaroni salad is good." - will hartman, willa moore, neha talreja, bryan kim, sonal shah, molly fitzpatrick
"Since 1922, this portside Italian sandwich shop has served heaping portions of cured pork on rolls to workers and passersby in Red Hook. The signature sub is the colossal Nicky Special, layered with a trio of ham, salami, and capocollo, plus fried slices of eggplant, provolone, and hot peppers mixed with oregano and pickled vegetables. Everyone has their favorite sandwich here, so the “best” order is divisive." - Robert Sietsema
"At Defonte’s, a cash-only Italian sandwich shop in Red Hook, it’s not just about the big fat italian sandwiches. It’s also about standing in line next to someone who drives in from Jersey weekly to feast on the Nicky’s Special, and about taking your sandwiches down to Valentino Pier to eat by the water. Order anything with a layer of their fried eggplant on it. Since that’s most sandwiches here, the Prosciutto Special—fried eggplant, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and a half-inch thick layer of meat—is a good place to start. Nicky’s Special, Golden Boy, Roast Pork Special (add hot salad)" - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, bryan kim, sonal shah
