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Defonte's

4.5 (533 reviews)
ModerateSandwiches
Closed 6:00 am - 4:00 pm

Defonte's Photos

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DEFONTE'S ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Defonte's

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Sabrina H.

I've been wanting to try this place for a really long time now and it was pretty busy when I went despite being located in Red Hook. I got the Chenzo and they are super generous with the fillings and everything tasted really fresh. I loved the peppers and the broccoli rape and I thought all the ingredients went really well together. The main thing that I didn't love was how thick the prosciutto was cut. Maybe it's just a personal taste preference but it was kind of hard to chew and always got stuck in my teeth. I've always preferred paper thin prosciutto layered together and I think that would have improved the taste of the sandwich a lot.

Prosciutto, Mozzarella, Red Peppers, and Eggplant Sandwich
Cynthia L.

Get anything with Fried Eggplant, it's THE BEST! Hubs, the little one, and I were on our way to Ikea and suddenly remembered that Defonte's is close by! We must go! Defonte's Italian sandwiches are perfect! There are so many choices for sandwich but we went with the 1/2 Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella, Red Peppers, and Fried Eggplant Sandwich - this sandwich was perfectly delicious! The sesame hero bread is so soft inside. The ingredients were everything we loved and the combination of all of them worked so well together! The sandwiches come in 1/3 or 1/2 hero. The 1/2 hero was perfect for Hubs, my little one, and I. We came on a Saturday afternoon just after peak lunch and there was no wait! The menu is also huge so definitely take your time to decide before going! Note that Defonte's is closed on Sundays.

Nicky Special
Sara M.

A FAT sandwich. Cash only. Got the Nicky's special which hit the spot - it was very pickle forward (pickled celery, carrots, etc) with generous fillings. Also included artichokes, fried eggplant

When you know, you know.
Chris H.

The iconic and "old school" Defonte's in Red Hook Brooklyn. Once upon a time I along with some colleagues would stop in and get the breakfast hero's here back in the day. The sandwiches are huge here and they come in 1/3, & 1/2 sizes. Take my word on this, 1/3 is definitely enough sandwich for just about anyone. On the Saturday I went, at approximately 2:00pm, the line was out the door. But the wait wasn't long. The staff is quick with order taking and sandwich production. Like any iconic NYC place these days, there were a fair number of selfie snapping social media influencers. I went with the Red Hook Special which is chicken cutlets, melted American cheese, turkey, lettuce, tomato and bacon. It was delish! There are several tables outside and I ate it there. These sandwiches will set you back $13 - $18 bucks. Oh and it's cash only. There is an ATM onsite.

Golden Boy Special
Alan T.

Came here on a Saturday and the wait wasn't too bad. It was about 15 mins from in and then out the door, which wasn't bad as a lot of popular NYC delis have huge lines. I ordered the Golden Boy Special. It's definitely a big sandwich and serving size of the breaded chicken cutlet is a good size. However, I didn't really taste much of the breading itself even with the vodka sauce.

These people are quite the literally the best. Came in 10 minutes till closing and they made me the most delicious Sammy EVER! Best staff, best sandwich.

Menu
Samantha A.

This place has an amazing list of sandwiches. I tried a few things on the menu and made sure to get the small portions (1/3), which were still incredibly large!!! Staff were super friendly, the meats and veggies were delicious and fresh. It is a little in the pricey side, but considering how much food you get, it is well worth it. Their eggplant is perfection. I tried the Golden Boy, the Roast Pork Special, and the Princess. Their broccoli rabe is so garlicky, and the pork is nice and tender and flavorful.

Part of my sandwich
Alan W.

It took some effort hiking through Red Hook, but we made it to Defonte's. This may be the quintessential sandwich shop representing all of NYC. It sure felt like we had discovered the "real" NYC. I ordered a roast beef, eggplant, & mozzarella sandwich. They sell them in 1/2 & 1/3 rolls. I got a 1/3 which was enough for 2 people. It was loaded with a ton of lean, soft, & moist roast beef in a jus. The mozzarella was super fresh & the eggplant was thin & tasty. Like I said, it was hard to get to, but so worth the trip.

3-5-25. Potato and eggs hero with "mutz" and ham.   A little salt, pepper and ketchup added.  (Ask for a little extra ketchup).  Fabulous!
Anthony S.

3-5-25. I've eaten sandwiches from here before with former co-workers. We would place a large order and someone would go to pick it up. Today was actually the first time I've been inside. It's an "old school" deli that's CASH ONLY. So hit the ATM prior to walking in. Today I ordered a potato, egg and ham hero with fresh mutz (with a little salt, pepper and ketchup added). I would definitely ask for a little extra ketchup the next time. Regardless though, the sandwich was fantastic. I've had quite a a few different sandwiches over the years.....whether it was Roast Beef and mutz, eggplant parm, Italian or even shrimp, they were all excellent. Although it may feel like your going back in time when stepping into this place, their prices have caught up with the modern era. Not saying they're bad, because they are on par with everyone else these days. One thing is for sure ....... you're definitely not going to be hungry after eating ANY of their sandwiches because the portions are more than fair. Their Italian bread is always fresh and delicious......crunchy exterior with a soft interior providing the exact chew you want in any good sandwich. The staff was working hard and they were friendly. There's no seating inside, but when the weather is agreeable, they have a few tables set up outside to dine at if you wish. Today, I just devoured my "sang-weech" in the car. In my opinion, I wouldn't say they are 5 stars.......but are very close to perfect and deserving of 4.5 stars.

Roast beef and mozzarella
Todd C.

Was in Brooklyn so stopped for lunch. This place has some of the best bread which can make or break a sandwich. Went with roast beef and mozzarella. The roast beef is made fresh daily. $17 for the large sandwich but you will be filled for the day. Today was a little too rare for my taste but that's just me because as I get older my body can't handle rare. Fresh made mozzarella which was pretty good. This is cash only but there is an atm on site

Jason R.

Extremely disappointed! I've had this place bookmarked for years. I've had multiple people tell me how great the sandwiches were and I knew eventually I would have to venture here. I knew they closed at 4PM and got here around 3:45PM. There was no line and I got to place my order right away. This is a no frills joint and it was straight to the point. I want honey glazed turkey, but I was told they didn't have it just regular turkey, which was a little surprising, but that was fine. I just went with the "regular" turkey, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, black pepper and honey mustard. I get to the counter and the gentlemen says "$17" I'm a little confused because that's pretty high for a deli sandwich, but whatever, I paid it and left. I get back in the car and think let me get a bite of this sandwhich before leaving because I want to know why the cost was so high and wanted to see if the price and taste matched. The sandwhich looked and tasted like a regular deli hero that you could get for half the rate at a bodega. I'm glad I had the experience but failed to see what the big deal is about this place nor why the price is so high.

Fried shrimp calamari

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28 days ago

The food and sandwich was amazing the Giuseppe was very delicious. I definitely recommend trying

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3 months ago

Got beef sandwich pretty good also the eggplant I think ivarones is better but Defonte's is good

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1 year ago

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1 month ago

Consistently great. Has the Italian Combo and my brother the Red Hook. Awesome as usual.

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Ends Meat - シンプルでお肉もパンもめちゃ美味しい

Ends Meat

(127 reviews)

$$

Sunset Park

I've purchased orders to go. I've purchased orders to eat in house. I've shopped for meat and food…read moreitems and taken them home and I've purchased delivery from them. Every time: stellar. Every time: delicious. Every time: perfection. It's cute inside. The service is great. And the food is delicious. I completely recommend checking this place out. Ordering, buying tallow or milk or cheese or meat and hot food. Anything. You'll love and you'll be back... just like me! PS: the burger and the steak Sammy and bkfst Sammy is divine!

I've been receiving Ends Meat's monthly butcher boxes from Table 22 for about 4 months now and…read morethey've definitely forced me to up my cooking game! What began as a search for easy access to high-quality meets, led to my discovery of this butcher. One of the big drawers of patronizing their business is the partnerships they have with sustainable farmers. And you can tell the quality is there. I've had some of the best cuts of meat ever from here (especially their bacon). Some of the items I've received have been: pork loins A half chicken (I wish they left the innards ) Lamb sausage Chorizo (7.5/10) Rib eyes Beef tenderloin (my favorite) Bacons (also my favorite) Spicy chili French butter Mushroom seasoning/rub Bauvette Terrine Prepackaged sausage links (my least favorite, especially the ones with cheese inside) Chicken salad Ham hock And more I would really like to continue this membership, however I'm currently ordering the Deluxe Box (the higher tier) and I'm considering downgrading or pausing because it's definitely a lot to cook over the month. I wish there was an option to select what you want in the box, even if it were the animal, as I LOVE their ground beef and most of their beef products, but don't particularly love some of the sausages and ham items. Also, I believe the membership is advertised as to having monthly recipes, notes and ideas for each of the cuts of meat, but I have yet to see those. Also, I haven't received any priority access to in-shop events or special offers as advertised. Overall, if you or someone you know loves high quality meats and cooking, this is an excellent idea for them.

Ba Xuyen - #1 Banh Mi - Spicy

Ba Xuyen

(858 reviews)

$

Borough Park

I really thought I had reviewed Ba Xuyen before. I first ate here pre-pandy and it never occurred…read moreto me that I hadn't chimed in about this awesome spot. Well, let's clear that up now. The aunties are mentioned often in other reviews, and that's because they're amazing. They'll gladly explain what you need, especially when it comes to the super tasty (and extremely inexpensive) deserts that populate racks and the drink fridges here. Some are sweet, some are sour (the deserts, that is), they'll let you know. Honesty since a cake here is $5, you can afford to try everything! How on to the main reason that you came, the Banh Mi. You literally can't go wrong with any of the eight main sandwiches here. I've tried them all so you don't have to, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. The bread is crispy, the ingredients are super fresh, and the tastes combine perfectly. The decor is perfect for this kind of spot. No frills. There are three tables and a bunch of chairs. It's exactly what I want in a takeout type place. They concentrate on the food. So, to wrap this one up. Go. I'd say that I'll be back, but I've been coming here for years. If you haven't, it's time to start.

very good vietnamese food the banh mi reminds me of home…read moreprob one of the best ive had in nyc.... avocado smoothie was great im used to it being a little less blended with ice chunks and sugar but flavor was on point after adding another packet. viet coffee was above average for sure! not breathtaking but solid. lady was nice she also spoke vietnamese and chinese. fast service and showed me the restroom! come here if u want some viet food!!!!

Yafa Cafe - Lamb poutine. $12 really well done but wished there were more cheese curds.

Yafa Cafe

(170 reviews)

$

Sunset Park

Food: This is an excellent Yemeni cafe right outside of the 45th Street subway station in Sunset…read morePark. The food and drinks are amazing, and I would highly recommend you try this cafe. They offer a variety of coffees, teas, cold drinks, sandwiches, toasts, salads, small bites, pastries, and brunch items (weekends only). We tried the shakshuka and lamb haneeth sandwich. Both were delicious, and I would recommend them both. The shakshuka is served with two slices of crispy and fresh toast. The shakshuka is served warm with three eggs topped with goat cheese. The lamb sandwich was very flavorful and served on crispy toasted bread with French fries. I can't wait to go back and try all of their other items. I would also recommend their orange blossom lemonade. It's very aromatic with a hint of sweetness. Service: Staff are so pleasant and welcoming. There is a server who brings you your food and clears your empty dishes after eating. Ambiance: The cafe is not big, but they have a good number of tables in the front and back of the cafe. Not ideal for large groups. The decor and ambiance is very nice and homey. Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend this cafe!

Saw this place on TikTok for their awesome brunch menu but stopped by for a drink to stay warm! I…read moreabsolutely LOVED the Tahini Chai - only had it hot but it would also be divine as cold. Cannot wait for my next visit to try more of their specialty drinks and foods!

Eat Street NYC - the sun setter bagel sandwich added ham, jerk chicken empanadas, chopped cheese empanadas, and coffee

Eat Street NYC

(11 reviews)

Sunset Park

I was seeking a breakfast spot in the area and this seemed to have answered my calling. They're a…read moretake-out only spot, but they really do it all here-- think deli, but better! We were greeted by an incredibly friendly and welcoming owner. Felt like we were buddies by the time we got our food. He even threw in a few cookies for us (which were so soft and delicious) as I was salivating at the window. Being a take-out operation, this is an ideal place to grab and go for a visit to the park nearby or even in the courtyards of Industry City. We ordered both the ESPAPI (burrito) and All Action No Bronson (Boujee sandwich). When he gave us our bag of food, we were so surprised at how dense it was. The sandwiches were packed! Absolutely loved the ESPAPI. Every bite was loaded and well-seasoned. The aroma of the chorizo was so alluring, even penetrating through the bag. I would easily go back just for this burrito! I enjoyed the All Action No Bronson as well; it was a perfect savory sweet combination of prosciutto, burrata and fig jam in a crispy and toasty French baguette. The flavors on each item were so perfectly balanced. Not a single component of the sandwich outshined the other, but rather accentuated it. Honestly, everything on the menu seems like an absolute hit! While I don't frequent this area often, I know their sandwiches and burritos would easily reel me back here.

Another hidden gem right in my backyard, if you're looking for some great sandwiches for breakfast…read moreand lunch this is the spot. I got the blt and it was well put together. Fresh bread avocado lettuce tomatoes and thick cut bacon with a slab of mayo and cheddar cheese was definitely devour worthy. And definitely a big size for with a very decent price. The bbq pull pork sandwich was also jam packed with pork but alil sweet for my liking I wish it was more savory and sweet but the combination of bbq sauce with the slaw was alot of sweetness still a good sandwich but I wish I would've held the bbq. Overall nice spot walk up and order to go or online. No seating, definitely can't wait to try the burgers they're adding to the menu.

Red Hook Food

Red Hook Food

(61 reviews)

Red Hook

I didn't have cash to go to the other Italian place nearby starts with the letter D. So I found…read morethis place as the next deli option I was very impressed with the choice of sandwiches. it's a big grocery store on steroids with a deli counter from wall-to-wall. They have Crazy sober up type of sandwiches services very nice and polite. I've been there twice and the prices are not bad. I got myself Italian sub with all the toppings it was delicious.

What the heck did I just eat?…read more A taco? A quesadilla? A hamburger? Some moments of reflection in my Lyft ride back home had me thinking many things about what I just ate here. Allow me to put it in perspective, this is gas station food on steroids. Located in Red Hook (and all it takes is to go outside and see you are in Red Hook), this nondescript bodega serves up one heck of a sandwich that will have you thinking, did I just eat that? This is not your ordinary New York bodega, this is the shop of General Ock, who sells various sandwiches in his renowned Ocky Way. So what is the Ocky Way? The Ocky Way is not just a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and onions, it is also about presentation and style. The sandwich is made loudly with a flair for the dramatic, from the time your food hits the flat top to when it is center cut and put in a clamshell container. What about the food? It really is pretty good! I got the Chopped Cheese the Ocky Way and it was something I really enjoyed. I recommend you get it with the Jamaican Patty as that is what makes the flavors work best. You can also do it with a waffle or pancake or whatever bread you like. All you have to do is scarf it down. You can also put your own toppings on your sandwich if you want for an extra premium à la Farmer in the Deli style. Farmer in the Deli is another well known bodega in Fort Greene, known for finely chopping their meat into a sandwich, one I highly recommend as well. Even after writing this review, I still cannot believe what I ate here. Before I finish this review, I have to say one more thing. Neva neva neva forget to get a drink with your order!

Don Pepe Tortas & Jugos - Vegetarian Torta

Don Pepe Tortas & Jugos

(133 reviews)

$

Sunset Park

Pricey, but really good. I had a vegetarian torta and spinach, corn, and cheese empanadas. The…read moreempanadas were incredible - crispy outside and a delicious, rich, and savory filling. The torta was also great - fluffy bread, a huge variety of veggies, creaminess from beans and avocado, and some tart notes from pickled vegetables. Both items came out to about $24, which is a bit more than I was expecting, but it ended up being a pretty sizeable amount of food.

I wouldn't classify myself as sandwich-lover, but these tortas are undoubtedly one of my favorite…read moreNYC discoveries since moving here two+ years ago. Their torta bread is all pressed, leaving grill marks and making for a nice crispy bite each time. I ordered the Torta Chorizo and Huevo Torta and didn't want it to end. The flavors and ingredients work together so well, especially the fresh cheese. It's such a soft yet satisfyingly salty element in the whole mix. I also tried the hefty Mexicana Torta. Great recommendation for meat-fanatics. It's a packed mouthful with exciting textures and savory goodness. I actually really enjoyed this one even after I let it sit out a couple of hours. The textures seemingly got even more distinguished. Lastly, the empanadas are amazing as well. Their fillings are completely full--no room for disappointment. This commute is an hour-long one way for me, and I would do it every time. Great place that proves Sunset Park has phenomenal food.

Defonte's - sandwiches - Updated May 2026

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