Polpetti

Polpetti Italian Deli is hands down my favorite spot in Richmond. The sandwiches are unbelievable—exactly like the best Italian delis I grew up with back in New York. The chicken cutlet sandwiches are my favorite and never miss. Do yourself a favor and add the long hot peppers to just about any sandwich. Peter and Georgia, the owners, are fantastic people, which makes the place even better. This is a true local, family-run business that’s absolutely worth supporting. The food is phenomenal and genuinely New York–style Italian deli quality. Don’t skip the desserts either—the rainbow cookies and cannolis are outstanding. And if you’re catering, the kids’ mac and cheese is a guaranteed crowd favorite for both kids and adults. If you’re looking for a real New York–style Italian deli in Richmond, Polpetti is the place.

Had what I feel may be the best sandwich in the the area. The Italian is so well balanced, fresh and flavorful. Would absolutely hold its own among Italian delis up north. Wow!

Headed up to Richmond for a day trip and decided to stop by Polpetti after looking up some of the local deli spots. With such great reviews, we had to give it try. SOOO glad we did because I think I found my new favorite sandwich!!! Got the Soprano (add banana peppers, no mayo) and it was probably my favorite sandwich ever!!! It’s been almost a week and I’m still thinking about it. My only regret is sharing it with my husband LOL!! From the sesame seeded bun, to the tang of the olive spread/vinaigrette/banana peppers, and then the heartiness of the meat trio, it was perfect! Can’t wait to come back, have another Soprano to myself, and try more of their great food!!!

Stopped in with some friends to grab lunch yesterday. Super friendly owner, there were about 6 people ahead of us but service was quick and he kept the line moving. All of the sandwiches sounded great, but I ordered the Henry Hill on the seeded rye bread and was blown away! Definitely one of the top 5 sandwiches I’ve ever had. Loaded with pastrami, and the Cole slaw gave it a really satisfying crunch. I made my way through half of the sandwich eating in at the counter by the window, and decided to save the other half for dinner. I’ll be back soon! Excited to explore the menu. I heard that for Super Bowl Sunday he’s bringing in bread from Philly for some classic cheesesteaks- I trust Polpetti to do it right. 😋

I ordered The Soprano for takeout. My first impression was, "A little over priced, the focaccia is a little stale." Boy was I wrong. The sandwich was amazing. An incredible value, they could definitely charge more. And while the bread was a little crispier than I am used to, it works. Absolutely delicious and I will be back. Maybe for dinner.

Yeah this place is hands down the only place to get a real italian sandwich in Richmond. Packed with quality ingredients on fresh, crusty bread. So much flavor in every single bite! Tasted just like the sandwiches I used to get in Italy. It is so legit that The Soprano made my italian born and raised boyfriend emotional to smell and taste it! Service is a little slow but well worth the wait knowing they’re a small family owned place that puts alot of care into their food. We will definitely return to try every other sandwich they have and will be happy to wait any amount of time for them :)

The Soprano has to be one of the best sandwiches, if not the best, I've ever had. Staff rocks, bread is amazing, add peppers.

Took my friend (both of us are born and raised in NY) and couldn’t believe how much it tasted like home, came to find out the bread is picked up all the way from Brooklyn. Good food, portions, tasty and always happy to support a business with good people.

I enjoyed the Italian chicken cutlet sandwich. This sandwich was flavorful yet so simple! This sandwich was a wonderful balance with the fried chicken cutlet and layering of fresh ingredients such as roasted bell peppers, arugula and prosciutto. This sandwich had so much depth. I recommend ordering your sandwich on the sesame roll-- trust! I look forward to coming back for a grinder sandwich once I'm no longer pregnant :P The customer service was wonderful too(:

The old Italian charm of Polpetti shines through, even if the shops decor doesn't. While the interior might not be the most aesthetic, the food is fantastic! We stopped in for lunch and ordered the Godfather and the Soprano. I really enjoyed the Godfather, it had meatballs, mozzarella, and ricotta on their house-made seeded rolls. It was messy, delicious, and full of flavor. The Soprano, filled with sopressata, capicola, arugula, and red onion, was also fresh and tasty. You can tell this shop truly excels at their craft! They also offer a very extensive and robust holiday catering menu. You can order dips, spreads, grazing boards, desserts, breads, and complete meals. They even have a special package for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. I'll definitely be coming back to try more of their sandwiches and to order some catering items!

Was craving a chicken cutlet sandwich and someone recommended Polpetti. We ordered the OG chicken cutlet to go with the sauce on the side. The worker suggested to get the cheese on the side as well so the sandwich doesn't get soggy on the drive home. Sandwich was delicious and the bread reminds me of the delis in New York (which I miss). Even after a 15 minute drive home, the sandwich was piping hot and the chicken still crispy & juicy. Will definitely be back!

Yep. Definitely worth the hype. The housemade focaccia alone is delicious. And they certainly do not skimp on the toppings of the Italian grinder. Admittedly, $15 is too high for a sandwich (especially in RVA) but it's always fun to try out a new spot.

What a breath of fresh air! I honestly can't believe I'm just stumbling upon this gem. The space is bit divey...think hoagie shop from Brooklyn or Philly... and I absolutely love it!! The staff, (the owner Peter is usually in there) is very personable and committed to making a really good sandwich. You can tell that by the quality of the bread. Peter literally drives up to get this bread from his hometown in Brooklyn and he was gracious enough to bring some ciabatta out from the back so I could see for myself. My favorite is the seeded roll, though - it's got a really tender bite, holds well to a light toasting, and keeps all the sammach goodies inside. The turkey pesto is, by far, my favorite. I love that pesto - super fresh - and how the red peppers and arugula really complement the sandwich! I'd like to try them all! *insider tip ~ ask about their 2nd location

The owner Peter was so nice to talk to and the Grinder on seeded bun was delish packed with all the good meats and bursting with flavor. We stopped for lunch and will defiantly be back!

A Hidden Gem in Richmond! If you're anywhere near here and craving an unforgettable sandwich, run to Polpetti. I stopped by today and tried their Italian Grinder on house-made focaccia and I'm drooling thinking about it. The focaccia alone is worth the trip: golden, chewy, and just the right amount of crisp on the edges. But the real star? The layers of perfectly sliced Italian meats, sharp provolone, crunchy lettuce, and fresh banana peppers that gave every bite a hit of tang and spice. It's a sandwich that feels both thoughtfully crafted and wildly indulgent. Even better, Polpetti is family-owned and operated, and you can taste the pride in every bite. The owner makes everything in-house from the focaccia to the pasta salad and it shows. The pasta salad was the perfect side: fresh and balanced with the right amount of crunch from the peppers. The vibe is warm, welcoming, and personal, just like the food. This spot is a must-visit for sandwich lovers. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu and support this local gem!

Solid Italian sub! I ordered the soprano with banana peppers and sweet peppers and probably one of best sub shops in Richmond! Super friendly staff and service was fast. My friend and I ordered takeout and walked (5 min walk) to the local Meadow park to eat. There were a few places to sit in the restaurant but it is more of takeout. Hopefully will come again soon!

WAY too expensive for what you get. We got the pesto chicken with sun-dried tomatoes. This would have been a good sandwich at $9. At $14 you'd expect a generous, amazing sandwich, and it wasn't that. The turkey was sliced a little too thin, the mozzarella was good but not great, the sandwich too small to merit that price point. We support small businesses but this was out of whack.

Stopped by Polpetti while looking for lunch in a rush and grabbed the godfather - meatballs sub with their delicious Italian Sunday sauce. Can't wait to stop by and try a different sandwich.

We tried them for the first time at an event sponsored by the Children's museum of Richmond. We decided to go afterwards to grab sandwiches for our picnic. It was amazing. We got the sandwich on focaccia bread!!! AMAZING!!!!! It's a small market downtown. This place is one that makes me miss Richmond so much. I can't wait to move back here!!

Finally, a real New York style deli in Richmond. Walking in the sites and smells transports you to the big Apple. fresh and frozen items are displayed to your left,counter in front and dry goods to the right I got the Italian and the Soprano both were amazingly fantastic. The bread.(very important) was a perfect Vessel for all the beautiful meats, veggies, vinegar, oils, and hot peppers, great service, friendly, and easy to talk to, this place is legit!

If you enjoy a really good sandwich then this is the spot! It is a little inconspicuous hidden within The Market on Meadow, but that's the spot. They only have seating for two inside so it's primarily take out only. Service here is very friendly. The owners love what they do so how can you go wrong. The sandwiches/subs are off the chain good. I recommend trying them all! I am a big fan of the Italian Grinder personally. I'm still making my way thru the menu happily. Great spot!

OMG if you haven't tried Polpetti you NEED to go. I popped in late afternoon one day after I heard some friends raving about their sandwiches. I'm originally from NY and it's hard to find a NY style deli sandwich here in VA. Polpetti hit the mark! Tender and juicy chicken cutlet, plenty of toppings, and soft yet crunchy sesame bread. The team was so nice and you could tell how passionate they are about their work just by listening to them speak to one another while they worked on orders. I'll definitely be back!

Shocker we came back again! The buzz around the office has this place pumped up. Today I when with "The Godfather" the original. Meatballs, marinara & fresh mozzarella on seeded roll. The flavor was fantastic. My only complaint was it had a chill to it. I would have like it to be warmer. My coworker shared the same sentiment on the temp. It didn't slow me down any. Great overall. Very friendly and appreciative staff. We'll be back.

Got the italian grinder a few weeks back, it was very good. Got the soprano tonight. DUDE. SO GOOD. 10/10. Yes.

After hearing great things about Polpetti Italian Sandwiches from a friend, I decided to bike over and check them out. They're tucked inside the Market on Meadow store, which I thought was new, but they've actually been there for about three years. The owner recently bought the building and plans to rebrand since they're now the only vendor there. Even better, they're opening a second location at Harrison and Grace St. soon! I ordered the Soprano sub, and it was absolutely incredible. It comes loaded with hot soppressata, capicola, ham, sharp provolone, arugula, olive salad, red onion, vinaigrette, and mayo on fresh bread. I added sweet peppers and banana peppers for a little extra punch, and it was a great choice. The flavors were perfectly balanced--the salty meats paired beautifully with the tangy olive salad and sharp provolone, while the vinaigrette and mayo brought everything together. The bread was amazing--crusty on the outside, soft on the inside--and it turns out they get it from New York City! The owner is such a nice guy, and we ended up chatting for a while about his bread sourcing and plans for the business. You can tell he's passionate about what he does, and it really comes through in the food. Polpetti is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise it gets. Whether you're a sandwich aficionado or just looking for a great meal, this spot is worth the visit. I can't wait to come back and try more--and to check out their new location when it opens!

The sandwiches are amazing and the side salad was also great! All the food I've gotten here has been top quality and fresh. Highly recommend!

I stand by this: Polpetti has the best sandwiches in all of Richmond! Every sandwich I've tried has been incredible, particularly the Soprano! The service is fantastic, and the owner is always so friendly and accommodating to customers! There's also a cute market inside where you can purchase basic staples and fresh pastas and other dishes to take home! I can't recommend this place enough, you've got to check it out!

Loved every bite! Hubby and I picked up sandwiches around noon on Saturday: the Soprano with banana peppers for him and the Balboa with long pepper for me. I'll put the Balboa up against any other version of this sandwich that I've had in RVA *and* in Philly. Hubby has had a longstanding love for the Italian at a beloved local grocery spot, and he says this beats it. Go. Don't question. Just go.

Average, which was incredibly disappointing I had been eyeballing the Balboa sandwich that they had which is a sandwich that is typically made in the Philadelphia area and I went there hoping that they would be able to scratch that itch and it did not unfortunately the bread is just not very good at all I got the Sesame bread not recommended the pork was kind of dry and nothing like what I remember getting in PA

Ordered two sandwiches, both with typical Italian deli meats. The good: meats were very good quality and plentiful. The not so good: the sesame seed roll was too thick and heavy. They very finely shredded lettuce and onion so much so they became mushy. It took less than ten minutes to get back to my house and in that time the lettuce and onions were limp and watery. The bad: who puts mayonnaise on Italian cold cuts? I've had similar sandwiches in city's like Boston, New York and San Francisco, all of which had mustard or vinaigrette or a combination of both. The mayo and the bread were a big no. I'd like to go back and would if they use a better roll, offer a choice of condiments and shred the lettuce and onion less finely. The cannoli was ok. The filling was overly sweet and I don't think the shell was homemade.

Italians sandwiches are my favorite food and this place has the best!! The Soprano and the Italian Grinder are last meal worthy sandwiches.

The best sandwiches in Richmond, maybe the whole wide world! Omg it's so good will definitely go again. Got the godfather, tucci, soprano, and Italian. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Such a nice place to grab food and sit and enjoy the weather at the nearby parks. Bread was the real winner so crunchy and decadent. A lot of love and thought goes into this restaurant I will be trying every other thing on the menu

Very excited for the upcoming full-on Italian market from these fine folks. Discovered Polpetti relatively recently and it's now a go-to lunch spot if I'm in the Fan. Killer sandwiches and friendly folks. Eat up.

Possibly the most flavourful sandwich I have ever had. Fresh meats and cheese were amazing. Felt like I was back in Italy.

Best Sandwich Spot in town. If you like Italian Deli's, you LOVE Polpetti. Peter is as friendly as they come and is the type of guy to remember your name after just a single visit! Expectations were exceeded with The Henry Hill and The Italian, fresh ingredients and a fresh taste. Walk in and take a whiff of the aromas, it will relax you into getting anything on the menu.

So yummy. Little overpriced. The bread roll is so good. The location is a bit hard to find it's within "market on medow" right by broad st

Got this delivered at work. Best sub I've had in my life. From the fresh ingredients and the incredible bread. Highly recommend

Absolutely amazing service catering for my daughter's Birthday. Food was standout delicious. Will definitely order from them again for events.

My friend and I attended a beer dinner featuring Polpetti at garden grove brewing in Carytown. What wonderful dinner we had! The beer and wine pairings were perfect with the 6 course masterfully prepared meal form Polpetti. It's difficult to say which course was my favorite- the house made burrata with olives, bread (from NY), roasted garlic olive oil, tomatoes and prosciutto was first, followed by a perfect risotto arancini filled with beef and peas served on a legitimate Italian Sunday sauce. Third course was a palate cleanser (arugula with pine nuts, roasted tomato, olives and a basil vinaigrette)- also excellent. Main courses were cioppino (clams, mussels and shrimp) in a saffron tomato sauce (worth drinking) with a perfect toast point followed by fresh cut pappardelle with a rich braised pork mushroom & marrow ragu (yum). Grand finale was the most beautiful tiramisu ever served (perfect chocolate covered tiramisu dome). I don't want to forget to mention the thoughtful wine & beer pairings and the hospitality of chefs & garden grove teams. Outstanding experience. Can't wait for the next one!

This little shop is hard to find, as "Polpetti" is in smaller letters on a store window for a market, but it's worth finding. The roast pork sandwich with broccoli raab is that best combo of tender meat with crisp edges, and garlicky goodness. They also sell prepared meals, and meatballs and sauces to go. So good! Get it to go -- not really any seating.

Decent sandwich but didn't honor the order/bread was different. Feel like the quality was good. Tried twice and good but not mind blowing.

Sent a few things as a gift and they said it was delicious..I live out of state so I haven't tried the food but I plan on it when I visit Richmond!! Thank you Georgia for your kindness at our families troubled times!!