Cody ..
Yelp
Summary: meatball sandwich is solid 4/5, pesto pasta salad is consistently good 4/5, but the price to value just isn't there anymore which makes it feel closer to 3.5/5 overall. It's a cool spot if you want an old-school deli atmosphere that feels like a time capsule in 2025.
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Below is the rest of the review:
Sampino's was recommended to us a year ago and we've gone there a handful of times when we are in the neighborhood. We are always on the lookout for a solid deli and I've spent a lot of time checking out sandwich shops across town.
I called ahead for a meatball sandwich with everything on it. They said 10 minutes and it was ready when I arrived.
I've had to wait in line every time I stop by, whether it's 1 person or 5 people ahead of me (seems popular and limited open hours), and the cashiers are always pleasant. In terms of service, I will note that they multi-task and will work on consolidating other orders instead of getting through the customers in line. Minor, little service detail that I've noticed over the past year.
I added one 1/2 pint of pesto pasta salad when I got to the register. $25.91 out the door. This is bordering on too high of a price for the amount of food you get. I usually only carry $20 with me so I had to eat the credit card fee. Big thumbs down for this.
Anyway, I won't digress further about economics, razor thin margins in food service, and hidden fees. On to the food itself!
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Meatball sub - 4/5 total score. This is not your simple meatball and marina sandwich with cheese. It has additional toppings including tomato and yellow peperoncini. It's on the smaller size of sandwiches compared to other places in town. You will need extra napkins because it's a sloppy sandwich. Don't wear a white shirt while eating this unless you have a Tide pen within reach.
Bread - 3/5. It's soft and holds most of the ingredients, but it'll start losing integrity by the end of the meal. Given that the bread absorbs the sauce quickly, these meatball subs do not travel well, so I highly recommend eating yours within 30 minutes of pick up unless you choose to dine inside or outside.
Ratio - 4/5. Decent balance of bread, meat, and toppings - you might see something different at a place like DAD'S Sandwiches where they go heavy on the meat. I do have to mention the size again, as it's closer to a hamburger bun than a longer sub-style loaf.
Meatballs - 5/5. The star of the show. Rightly so! Good moisture, tender, not super tightly packed and not overcooked. The flavor and texture were great as well.
Other ingredients - 3/5. I love garlic; however, the aioli can overpower at times and you lose a bit of balance in the overall flavor of the sandwich. The peperoncini gives it good depth and some additional acid to cut against the fat of the meat and cheese. The tomato seems a bit redundant and I tend to take it off before I am halfway through the sandwich.
Pesto pasta salad - 4/5. Creamy, lots of basil, al dente noodles. Fair amount of sun dried tomatoes and olives. You'll get a hint of brightness in some bites and the sauce always seems lighter than I expect.
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Lastly, I didn't realize it until I got home, but they have always included a side salad with the sandwich. This time they included a bag of Lay's potato chips instead. They didn't say anything about it on the phone or in the store, and I wasn't expecting a change, but I guess this could also be on me because I didn't check the bag before I drove off.
I think a year ago this place was a solid 4, but given the mismatch in price to value and its deterioration over time, it's looking like more of a 3.5/5 overall. I was debating whether to give a 3 or 4 rating for a bit, but in this case, I'll round up the official ranking to 4/5 given the food quality is still reasonable.
Thanks for reading my review and stay safe out there friends!