DeFonte's Sandwich Shop

Featured on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives, and boasting 5 out of 5 stars on Yelp-- trust us, we know

Photos from Gallery Banquet Hall's post 12/12/2023
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Photos from Prime Time Real Estate's post 02/16/2021
Photos from DeFonte's Sandwich Shop's post 05/21/2020

Same number same hood it’s all good... 📸 circa 2011 taken by the legendary for an Eater article written by . Link to read in bio.
#1922 @ Defonte's

Timeline photos 04/03/2020

Not all hero’s wear capes, many are wearing gloves and face masks now. Tag an essential worker below to show your appreciation

02/02/2020

Busy with catering for Super Bowl Sunday who do you want to win? - We are open in Staten Island until 2pm!

01/06/2020

What an amazing write up give it a read and let us know what you think!

1940

After landing on Ellis Island, Southern Italian immigrant Nick Defonte from Mola di Bari (Apulia) settled in Brooklyn. For two years worked as a railroad laborer, coconut factory worker and truck loader. He then worked as a longshoreman in a “shape-up” system where men vied for jobs of the day every morning in Red Hook.

Nick would meet a man nicknamed "Brooklyn" who rented a store at 379 Columbia where longshoremen would hangout waiting for work. It had a couple tables and chairs where they could play cards and drink coffee.

Then in 1922, "Brooklyn" had to leave town and Nick bought the store for $100. He decided to make Italian heros for waterfront workers. Thus began Defonte's Sandwich Shop.

After returning from WW II, his sons worked here. Son Dan Defonte (along with brother Vito) then took over the business.

As a boy, Dan made sandwiches here in the 1930s for construction workers and longshoreman before going to school. The Potato and Egg sandwich was a favorite.

Dan later took care of the neighborhood's children. He fed kids for free who could not afford to eat. He gave jobs to many street kids.

He looked after Angel Conde ("Spanky") from age 12, after his father died. At 16, Spanky worked full-time here. Henry Marante worked 40 years here, pulled off the street at 16. Larry DeMonte also started at 16 and after almost 4 decades became a partner. Russell Goddard at 8 was paid 50 cents for a delivery. He too worked decades at Defonte's.

Raymond Rotundi, whose father was friendly competition, was hired after their luncheonette closed when the building was sold in 2011.

Dan retired at 72 in 1998, after working here 55 years, 6 days a week. He handed the reins to his son Nicky, then 43. "Little Nicky" had worked side by side with his dad for 30 years. His siblings also got involved. Dan passed away at 89 on Oct. 4. 2015.

Founder Nick's great grandson Vincent Defonte is now involved.

Photo from New York Tax Photo Archives

Photos from DeFonte's Sandwich Shop's post 11/23/2019

What's nice on a cold saturday ??? Defontes 95 Water street Staten Island

Photos from DeFonte's Sandwich Shop's post 10/24/2019

Come grab some Defontes at this beautiful 2 family open house 10/26!

When: 11-2pm 10/26
Where: 5 university pl, Staten Island, NY 10302
Why: Open house ft Defontes

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5-University-Pl-Staten-Island-NY-10301/121845529_zpid/

Timeline photos 10/23/2019

Guess who stopped by Defontes today! The legend himself

Timeline photos 10/07/2019

Just one of many photos from the event this weekend. Huge shoutout to the entire Defontes staff for cranking out close to 800 sandwiches over 2 days and an even bigger shoutout for everyone that stopped by showing love! 🥖

Photos from DeFonte's Sandwich Shop's post 09/12/2019

New shirts we ship all over $20 each message us for details!

09/10/2019

Come visit us at EEEEEATSCON in Forest Hills Stadium, Queens! Tickets available online 🥳

Timeline photos 08/29/2019

BIG NEWS!
Defontes has teamed up with joining their on October 5/6th in Forest Hills Stadium! Link in their bio for tickets. .
#1922

Elle Shares Defont's Sandwich Shop On CBS2's The Dig 07/19/2019

Check us out on The Dig today between 5 and 5:30pm on CBS2 !

Elle Shares Defont's Sandwich Shop On CBS2's The Dig Elle McLogan of The Dig talked to CBSN New York's Natalie Duddridge about her visit to Defonte’s Sandwich Shop in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn.

Timeline photos 07/17/2019

Friendly reminder both locations are back from holiday operating at normal hours! 📸:

Timeline photos 06/25/2019

Everyone come show your love for Defontes (379 Columbia St) tomorrow (6/26) as shoots for her show The Dig on

Also huge shoutout to for the great photo if you haven’t checked out their new NYC food guide you’re missing out !
#1922

Photos from DeFonte's Sandwich Shop's post 06/21/2019

This sequence of photos are all brought to you by - we love when he stops by! 🥖👨🏻‍🍳🤤
#1922 @ Defonte's

Timeline photos 05/17/2019

🤤🤤🤤 .
#1922 📸:

Timeline photos 05/14/2019

Whennn the food makes you drool just like pasta fazool that’s Defontes🤤🥖🍽 📸:

Timeline photos 05/08/2019

When they ask if you have the goods 🤤 📸: .
#1922

Timeline photos 05/07/2019

The restaurant industry is so much more than just food - it creates memories, pushes creativity and forms great friends!
Here is a photo from when our good friend Dana from stopped by! 🥖🤤 .
#1922

Timeline photos 04/29/2019

Key to loving Monday’s? Get Defontes for lunch🔑🥖
#1922 📸:

Timeline photos 04/26/2019

With the sixth pick of the NFL draft the select a large Nicky Special out of university of Defontes class of ‘22 ! 🥖🏈 📸: .
#1922

Timeline photos 04/20/2019

knows Defontes is where it’s at 🥖 .
#1922

Timeline photos 04/15/2019

Who needs bread when you can get a plate that looks this good? 🥖🍽
#1922 📸:

Timeline photos 04/09/2019

The standards of the world🌎🚗🥖
#1922 📸:

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Videos (show all)

Busy with catering for Super Bowl Sunday who do you want to win? - We are open in Staten Island until 2pm!
Meal prep the right way 🤤🤤 #defontes #sandwich #shop #meat #garlic #nyc #goodfood #nyceats
Happy thanksgiving from Defontes we are thankful for all our loyal customers and years of support! 🦃Comment down below ⬇...
Happy thanksgiving from Defontes we are thankful for all our loyal customers and years of support! 🦃Comment down below ⬇...
Penne alla vodka
Announcer said he served this pitch up like a Defontes Meatball Sandwich

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95 Water Street
New York, NY
11231

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