If you think a hoagie is just meat and toppings, wait until you bite into the bread at Laspada’s Original Hoagies on 17th Street. This Fort Lauderdale classic keeps the line moving and the flavors bold, but the loaf is the quiet hero that holds it all together.
From the famous meat toss to made-to-order slicing, every detail feels proudly old school. Come hungry, because one regular could feed two, and you will still plan your next visit before the last bite.
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The Bread That Makes The Legend
The first thing you notice at Laspada’s is the bread. It is soft enough to bite without a fight, yet sturdy enough to hug every layer of meat, cheese, and crunchy veggies.
That balance means zero sog, even when you go all-in with oil, vinegar, and extra peppers.
Ask for wheat or white, and watch how the loaf becomes a stage for freshly sliced turkey, ham, roast beef, or the Italian stack. The crust has a gentle chew, never tearing your mouth.
It is the quiet secret that keeps the monster portions neat.
Order a regular if you want room for chips and a birch beer, or go large and share. Either way, the bread keeps pace with every juicy bite.
You will leave wondering why more shops do not build sandwiches around the loaf.
The Famous Meat Toss
There is a reason people pull out phones at the counter. The deli pro at the slicer shaves ribbons of meat, then launches them down the line with a quick, practiced toss.
The catcher lands it perfectly on your open roll, like sandwich theater with precision.
It sounds gimmicky until you taste how it layers. Those airy folds keep every bite fluffy, not compressed, so flavors shine.
Plus, you feel part of something local and old-school, a show that regulars know by heart.
Bring a first-timer and watch their grin when the meat flies. It is fast, fun, and weirdly reassuring, like a promise your hoagie is getting VIP treatment.
By the time the last slice lands, you are already thinking extra provolone, hot peppers, and oregano, because this masterpiece deserves the works.
Italian Special: The Crowd Favorite
When in doubt, order the Italian Special with everything. Genoa salami, ham, capicola, and provolone stack into a salty-savory chorus, brightened by shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions, hot and sweet peppers.
A drizzle of oil and vinegar with oregano ties it together.
The bread stays intact, even as juices mingle and peppers kick. Ask for extra meat if you are feeling bold, but honestly, the regular is a feast.
Split a large and you will both be happily stuffed.
Pro tip: add pickles for tang, or a shake of black pepper for depth. The crew moves fast, so speak up with confidence.
Every bite tastes like Florida sunshine meeting Philly attitude, and you will understand why locals call this the benchmark hoagie in town.
Roast Beef Done Right
If roast beef is your move, Laspada’s slices it to order, ruby at the edges and tender throughout. The thin ribbons pile high, catching oil, vinegar, and oregano like a sponge.
Add provolone and watch it soften against the warm meat.
Ask for lettuce and tomato for freshness, onions for bite, and hot pepper rings if you want heat. The bread handles the juices without falling apart, which is half the magic.
Every chew hits savory and clean, never greasy.
Pair it with their birch beer or a fountain favorite. You will be shocked how far a regular goes, especially if you are sneaking chips on the side.
This roast beef sets the bar for deli minimalism: a few perfect parts, assembled with rhythm, eaten with a grin.
Chicken Salad and Tuna Platters
Not feeling bread today? Go for a platter.
The chicken salad and tuna options arrive with iceberg crunch, tomatoes, onions, and peppers, letting the deli flavors shine without the carb commitment. It is simple, filling, and an easy win when you want protein first.
Ask for extra pickles and pepperoncini to brighten every forkful. The portions are generous, and you can split one if you are saving room for a shared sub later.
Dress it your way, from mayo to mustard or just oil and vinegar.
If you are hoagie loyal, order a small turkey for the table and make it a duo. Either way, the freshness holds up, and the pricing stays friendly.
It is classic counter-serve energy with zero fuss and lots of flavor.
The Meatball Sub Experience
Big appetite day means meatball sub. The meatballs are hefty, well seasoned, and tucked into that same reliable roll, then blanketed with marinara and provolone.
It is a saucy situation, yet the bread keeps pace like a champ.
You will want napkins and maybe a fork for loose bits, but do not overthink it. Add Parmesan for that salty finish, and consider onions or banana peppers if you like contrast.
One large can feed two without trying hard.
Some folks debate the sauce, thicker and chunky, more deli than Nonna. That is part of the charm, especially when the cheese melts into the crannies.
Order it when you want comfort with swagger, and thank the bread for staying strong to the last bite.
How To Order Like A Regular
The line moves fast because everyone knows the rhythm. Decide your size, bread, meat, cheese, and toppings before you hit the board.
Speak clearly, say yes or no to oil and vinegar, and do not be shy about peppers or pickles.
Watch the slicer, then the meat toss, then the build. If you want extras, say it up front.
Cashiers are quick, but they will happily explain the flow if you look lost. Friendly, not fussy, is the vibe.
Online orders help when timing is tight, though walking in often feels faster. Hit off-peak hours for zero wait and maximum showtime.
You will leave feeling like a local, even if you just walked over from the nearby hotel.
Value, Portions, And Sharing Strategies
Laspada’s is famous for portions that border on wild. A regular often feeds a hungry person and a snack later.
A large can become lunch now and dinner tonight, or a perfect share with chips and a soda.
Prices stay fair for the quality and the mountain of meat. If you are watching budget, split a large Italian or turkey and add extra veggies for crunch.
You still get the full experience without overspending.
Pro move: ask for the wrap of three slices around the fillings to hold everything tight. It travels well for the boat, beach, or hotel.
You get neat bites, no slip, and that glorious bread doing the heavy lifting while you plan your next visit.
Why Locals Keep Coming Back
It is more than nostalgia. The team works like a well-oiled crew, slicing to order, tossing the meat, and building sandwiches with care.
You feel the pride in every shout down the line, every quick smile at the register.
Freshness is the default, not a selling point. From the Italian Special to simple turkey and cheese, there is no filler attitude.
Just good bread, generous cuts, and consistent flavors at a fair price.
Tourists stumble in and become believers. Locals treat it like a rite of passage, a lunch break reward, or a pre-boat snack before the marina.
That is why reviews read like love letters, and why one bite turns into a tradition.
Visit Details: 17th Street Shop
Find Laspada’s Original Hoagies at 1495 SE 17th St D, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. It is a busy counter-serve spot near hotels and the marina, perfect before a boat day.
Hours run most days 10 AM to 8 PM, Sundays from 11 AM.
Call (954) 522-3483 or check laspadashoagies.com for updates. Expect a line at lunch, but it moves.
Parking is plaza-style, and seating is casual. Prices are wallet friendly for the size.
Grab the Italian, roast beef, or meatball, and pair with a birch beer. Leave room for dessert if you spot it in the case.
You will walk out full, happy, and slightly amazed that something this simple can taste this right.
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