Defonte’s Sandwich Shop on Columbia Street in Red Hook has been a Brooklyn institution since Nick Defonte opened it in 1922, serving the overstuffed Italian-American hero sandwiches that built a Red Hook waterfront neighborhood’s lunch counter reputation across a full century of operation. It appeared in Season 13, Episode 11 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Long Standing Legacies,” which aired February 20, 2012. Guy Fieri found the kind of sandwich shop that earns its episode placement on longevity and loyalty alone — a Brooklyn counter that has been making the same roast beef and mozzarella heroes since Warren Harding was president, and hasn’t needed to change a thing.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Defonte’s Sandwich Shop
City: Brooklyn, New York
Cuisine: Italian Deli / Sandwiches
DDD Season: 13
DDD Episode: 11
Episode Title: Long Standing Legacies
Original Air Date: February 20, 2012
Address: 379 Columbia St., Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-625-8052
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Roast Beef Hero with fresh-roasted beef, mozzarella, and roasted peppers on a toasted Italian roll is the Defonte’s signature — the sandwich that has been ordered at this counter since 1922. The Chicken Cutlet Hero with fresh-fried cutlet, mozzarella, and house marinara is the other flagship that most Red Hook regulars rotate between. The Eggplant Parmigiana Hero is the vegetarian option that holds its own against the meat sandwiches. The Italian Cold Cut Hero with house-sliced cured meats, provolone, and oil and vinegar is the deli classic that no Italian sandwich shop can afford to do poorly — Defonte’s does it properly. Find a Brooklyn hotel on Trivago.
Plan Your Visit
Check current listings for hours — no standalone website is available, but Defonte’s maintains an active social media presence. The Red Hook location has been open since 1922.
Address: 379 Columbia St., Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-625-8052
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Long Standing Legacies episode on Amazon. Defonte’s has been open since 1922 — pick up More Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for the full New York DDD map.
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Defonte’s Sandwich Shop appeared in Season 13, Episode 11 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Long Standing Legacies,” originally aired February 20, 2012. Nick Defonte opened the shop in 1922.