A real Italian hero is not a polite little sandwich. It comes on fresh bread, packed with cured meats, sharp cheese, and peppers, and it usually needs two hands and a stack of napkins.
New York still has delis that build them this way, from Brooklyn corners to Hudson Valley side streets to the Capital Region and Rochester suburbs. Some have been slicing for generations, and one has been at it since the 1920s.
This list covers eight of them, each with its own reason to make the trip. You will find giant cold cut combos, chicken cutlet heroes, house-made mozzarella, shelves of imported groceries, and a Friday shrimp special or two.
Save it for your next lunch run, or send it to the friend who always argues about who makes the best Italian combo in the state.
1. Rosticceria Rossi & Sons, Poughkeepsie, NY
Poughkeepsie has a sandwich stop on South Clover Street where the word large barely covers it. Rosticceria Rossi and Sons is an Italian deli known for big, freshly built sandwiches at prices that stay friendly, with most visits landing in the 10 to 20 dollar range.
The menu goes well beyond cold cuts. The Muffaletta and The Delmonico are both vegetarian options, while the Prosciutto and Mozz keeps things simple and classic.
There is even a Fried Haddock Sandwich for anyone who wants a change of pace.
Hot food is a big part of the appeal here too. Baked ziti and Quattro Formaggi arancini sit alongside the sandwiches, and the shelves carry imported Italian meats and cheeses for taking home.
I like this stop for a weekday lunch that needs to last into dinner. Hours run Monday through Friday from 10:30 AM to 6 PM and Saturday until 5 PM, with Sundays closed.
Friday afternoons get busy, so earlier in the week is the smoother play.
Street parking is free, and there is outdoor seating if the weather cooperates. There is no restroom, so plan accordingly.
2. Lioni Italian Heroes, Brooklyn, NY
Picking a sandwich at Lioni can take longer than eating one. This Bensonhurst shop on 15th Avenue offers more than a hundred heroes, many named after famous faces like Alyssa Milano and Rocky Marciano.
Fresh mozzarella and chicken cutlets are the stars. The Maestro piles bacon, mozzarella, chicken cutlet, and BBQ sauce together, while the Mulberry Street Hero and the No. 103 Little Italy Hero lean classic.
Prosciutto and provolone fans are covered as well.
Lioni bakes its own hero bread, and you can buy an Italian bread loaf to go. On Fridays, shrimp parmigiana joins the lineup.
These heroes are not small, and they are not the cheapest in town, with most people spending 20 to 30 dollars. Many sandwiches can easily feed two hungry people, which softens the math.
It is a counter-service spot with no reservations and no restroom. Hours are 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM on Sunday.
Saturday mornings bring a crowd, so a weekday visit keeps the line shorter.
3. M Pellegrino Importing Co, Albany, NY
Half grocery store, half sandwich counter, Pellegrino’s on Central Avenue is the kind of Albany stop where you come for lunch and leave with a bag of imports.
The Italian mix sub is the signature order, built from scratch with freshly sliced meat, cheese, and fixings. The chicken parm sub is a heavy hitter with plenty of melted cheese, and it will fill you up for the afternoon.
Vegetarians get real attention too. The veggie sub stacks marinated eggplant and roasted red peppers on fresh bread.
Around the deli counter, the shelves stock Italian and Greek groceries, plus a strong lineup of cold cuts and cheeses. Save room for a cannoli on the way out.
Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, with Sundays closed. Midday on most weekdays is busy, and there is no delivery, so this one is strictly an in-person trip.
4. Pino’s Deli, Greece, NY
Rochester sub fans have strong opinions, and Pino’s Deli on West Ridge Road in Greece shows up in a lot of those conversations. It is a no-nonsense counter spot with portions that run generous.
The meatball sub and the steak sub, listed on the menu as The Infamous Steak Sub, are the headliners. The Italian assorted sub rounds out the big three.
Pino’s also handles pizza, wings, pasta entrees, salads, and pre-made Italian dishes. Deli meats sell at good prices, and the dessert case is worth a look.
Most meals land between 10 and 20 dollars. There is a free parking lot, which is a nice perk on a busy road.
Hours are 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday, and the shop is closed Sunday. Friday evenings and Saturdays are the rush, while Monday and Tuesday mornings are calm.
5. Capri Imports Italian Deli, Schenectady, NY
Meats stacked a mile high is the running theme at Capri Imports on Broadway in Schenectady. The subs come on fresh Italian bread and are packed with high-end meats and cheeses.
The Italian Cold Cut Sub is the one to know. It is a classic combo done the generous way, and most orders stay in the 10 to 20 dollar range.
Capri doubles as an import shop. Olive oils, meats, cheeses, cookies, and other Italian treats fill the shelves, so it is easy to stock the pantry while you wait.
There is no dine-in seating and no delivery. Grab your sub and plan to eat elsewhere, ideally somewhere with a good table.
Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 2 PM on Sunday. Saturday afternoon is the busiest stretch, and street parking is free.
6. Leggios Deli, Bay Shore, NY
Some delis remember your order. Leggios in Bay Shore is that kind of old-school Long Island shop, with a friendly crew and a nostalgic feel.
The Legendary Italian Hero holds the top spot on the menu, and plenty of Long Islanders call it the best around. La Capresa is another strong choice for fans of fresh mozzarella and tomato.
The sweets are a fun surprise. Rainbow cake slices, assorted pastries, and three-packs of chocolate chip cookies sit alongside sides like potato salad by the pound.
Prices are fair, mostly 10 to 20 dollars. It is takeout only, with no dine-in or delivery.
Leggios opens every day from 8 AM to 5 PM, which makes it handy for weekend beach-day lunches. Afternoons get busy, Tuesday mornings are quiet, and both a free lot and street parking are available.
Unlike many delis here, it has a restroom.
7. Joe’s Italian Deli, Bronx, NY
East 187th Street sits right in the Bronx’s Little Italy, and Joe’s Italian Deli has been a steady part of the block for years.
House-made mozzarella is the big draw. It shows up in sandwiches and is sold on its own, next to salami, prosciutto, capicola, roasted peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes.
The Italian Combo is the go-to hero, and the Bella Donna and eggplant parm are popular too. The DSNY is a vegan option, a nice nod to everyone in the group.
Beyond sandwiches, the store sells Italian sauces, oils, pastas, hot meals, and Italian sparkling drinks. The shop is well organized, with a rustic corner that adds character.
Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays, 8 AM to 6 PM Saturday, and 8 AM to 3 PM Sunday. Parking is paid street parking, so a short walk from the Arthur Avenue area is easy.
8. Defonte’s Sandwich Shop, Brooklyn, NY
Since the 1920s, Defonte’s has been making huge heroes on Columbia Street in Red Hook. That century of sandwich-making is the reason it closes out this list.
Fried eggplant and chicken parm are the classics. The Defonte’s Cuban, the steak pizzaiola, the Italian combo, and a pastrami sandwich keep the menu deep.
Breakfast is a real draw here, with doors opening at 6 AM. The potatoes and eggs sandwich is a local favorite, and Fridays bring big breaded shrimp.
The shop has appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Bread has just the right chew, and service moves quickly.
Hours run 6 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Street parking is free but can be tricky, and there is outdoor seating for eating on the spot.
For a taste of old Brooklyn on a roll, this is the place I would save for last.
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