If this is the spot you have passed a hundred times thinking “how can a sandwich joint on Aurora next to a muffler shop, south of a tire store be any good” – you have missed a joint Northeast ex pats have been keeping to themselves for the past seven years.
Sure there are salads ($4.95-$10.95), homemade soups ($2.95 & $5.95)and a surprising chili ($3.95 & $6.95) which is topped with an Italian finish, a dollop of Marscarpone, but here it is the sandwiches which are the star. They are served up on basic crusty breads that magically do not go soggy.
Grinders, the Northeast vernacular for an overstuffed sandwich on a crispy crunchy roll, come in hot ($9.95-$10.95) and cold varieties ($8.95-$10.95). Eat in or take out.
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The Meatball Grinder has housemade meatballs – shut up – sitting atop caramelized grilled onions and melted mozzarella. It is then blessed with a marinara gravy, sauce if you’re from Bay Ridge. Where can you find the goodness of Mrs. Manavola’s kitchen in Shoreline?!
Tender slices of roasted beef, portabella mushrooms and those grilled onions are stuffed into a warm Ciabatta roll and kissed – on both cheeks – with horseradish sauce and melted cheese into the Dipper, a French Dip gone Mediterranean.
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Those fantastic onions make another appearance on the Chicken Pesto Grinder along with their side kick, the portabella mushrooms.
On the cold side it’s not simply salami, you get more than Mortadella. One ginder is piled high with Toscano, Finocchiona, Sopressata and fire roasted pork loin with garlic-infused olive oil, garlic roasted tomato spread, artichoke aioli, those grilled onions and mozzarella.
For a lighter experience the Tricolore stacks fresh mozzarella, sliced cherry tomatoes and pesto for a no-meat option.
While the flavors are classic Canarsie, the service is basic Bensonhurst. Mitch, the Pittsburgh-born owner, often runs the counter or scurries about the restaurant making sure everyone feels at home.
Live music on the weekends. There can be a cover charge.
Despite the location, and occasional whimsical business hours this joint can stand up to anything Bay Ridge has to offer. Fugheddaboudit.
