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Salvo’s, Once a Sandwich Pop-Up, Is Opening a Ridgewood Restaurant | Eater NY

"La Rosa, who initially found success selling sandwiches via a circa 1970s moped, has signed a lease for a storefront at 66-01 Forest Avenue, near Gates Avenue, in a former Ridgewood shoe repair shop. He began selling Italian lunch by way of Instagram in 2023; some of his earliest offerings included a mortadella sandwich with fried zucchini, dressed with olive oil, lemon, basil, and dill, and prosciutto with pistachio spread. A former graphic designer and punk band member by night, he left the computer to use his hands; while working part-time as a courier he began delivering food—announcements for the rotating specials went up via fliers, with pre-orders taken via DM (requesting a drop-off time frame) and he would deliver it provided it was within his radius. He later upgraded his wheels to a blue mini truck called GO-4 Interceptor, the kind that would’ve once been used for parking ticket enforcement. The new Forest Avenue spot will allow him to expand to a day-to-night setup with about 20 seats; he says: "I want it to feel like a modest spot in Italy, like a trattoria that’s really comfortable — my favorite kind of places, where you can hear the clanking of silverware and people talking loudly to each other." He plans to keep "operation kind of controlled, a lunch spot, with evening service and aperitivo and small plates," and will pursue a liquor license; the format is similar to another Italian American counter-service spot on the way to Ridgewood called Arrigo’s. Since his early days focused on sandwiches, he estimates he has made thousands, but has used the platform for a wider menu of simple-but-tasty Italian cooking: from tomato salad and oyster mushroom frittata to lasagna Bolognese, handmade pasta, and house-made tomato sauce. Reflecting on the growth, he says: "It’s pretty wild to me because this entire thing happened accidentally, I’m so grateful that it got to this point where I actually need to expand. I’ve reached this threshold of what I can do in my apartment," and adds, "I’m only capable of making so many myself so the hope is with the new space, people who haven’t gotten to try the food — either because it sold out or they couldn’t get to it — will get to, and the people who have tried the food will be able to have it two, three times a week if they want." He chose the Forest Avenue storefront after looking at several spaces—it's right across from red-sauce institution Joe’s—aims to open as early as August, is hosting Saturday pop-ups (weather permitting) at Grover Cleveland Park with panini and pantry items from 1 p.m. until sold out, and says he’s considering continuing to use wheels in other ways: "Maybe a farmer’s market stand or something like that." - Emma Orlow