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Italian-American Deli · Brooklyn, NY

Defonte's Menu 2026: Full Hero & Sandwich List, Brooklyn NY

Defonte's menu — the full list of heroes, hot sandwiches, pasta plates and soups from Brooklyn's legendary Italian-American deli, open since 1922. Below: every menu category, signature item highlights, what the shop is famous for, and quick answers to common questions about this Red Hook institution.

Open since 1922Red Hook, BrooklynOverstuffed Italian heroesHot & cold sandwichesCash preferred
Sample · $$

Signature items

Meatball Parmigiana HeroAsk in-store
Italian Combo HeroAsk in-store
Chicken Parmigiana HeroAsk in-store
Sausage & Peppers HeroAsk in-store
Eggplant Parm HeroAsk in-store
Jump to: Signature heroes Hot heroes Cold heroes Pasta & plates About Defonte's FAQ
Quick answers

What is Defonte's known for?

The four things people most often ask about Defonte's menu and what sets this Brooklyn institution apart.

Most famous item
Meatball Parmigiana Hero

A Brooklyn benchmark — house meatballs, marinara and melted mozzarella on a toasted hero roll.

Best vegetarian
Eggplant Parmigiana Hero

Fried eggplant, marinara and mozzarella. One of the most popular non-meat heroes on the menu.

NYC deli classic
Italian Combo (cold hero)

Salami, capicola, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar. The cold-cut benchmark.

Comfort plate
Pasta with Meatballs

House pasta with slow-simmered marinara and hand-rolled meatballs. A hearty lunch plate.

Most-ordered heroes

Defonte's signature hot heroes (ranked by popularity)

The hot heroes are the heart of the Defonte's menu. These six are consistently among the most-ordered at the Brooklyn counter.

  1. 1Meatball Parmigiana HeroThe house signature. House-made meatballs, marinara, mozzarella.Ask in-store
  2. 2Chicken Parmigiana HeroFried cutlet, marinara, mozzarella. A NYC lunch staple.Ask in-store
  3. 3Sausage & Peppers HeroSweet or hot Italian sausage with onions and peppers.Ask in-store
  4. 4Veal Parmigiana HeroBreaded veal, marinara, mozzarella on a toasted roll.Ask in-store
  5. 5Eggplant Parmigiana HeroVegetarian. Fried eggplant, marinara, mozzarella.Ask in-store
  6. 6Broccoli Rabe & SausageGarlic, olive oil, sauteed broccoli rabe and Italian sausage.Ask in-store
Cold hero classics

Defonte's top cold heroes

The cold-cut side of the menu draws from classic NYC Italian deli tradition. These are the most-ordered cold builds.

  1. 1Italian Combo HeroThe classic cold-cut combination — salami, capicola, ham, provolone.Ask in-store
  2. 2Turkey & SwissRoasted turkey breast with Swiss, lettuce, tomato.Ask in-store
  3. 3Roast BeefThin-sliced roast beef with provolone and horseradish mayo.Ask in-store
  4. 4Sopressata & Fresh MozzarellaDry-cured sopressata with fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers.Ask in-store
  5. 5Fresh Mozzarella & Roasted PepperVegetarian. Fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, basil, olive oil.Ask in-store
What's on today

Daily specials & rotating items at Defonte's

Defonte's runs a rotating daily special and several items that sell out before the lunch rush ends. Always ask at the counter for what's available that day.

Daily

Defonte's Special Hero

The kitchen rotates a daily specialty hero built from premium ingredients chosen that morning. Ask at the counter for today's build.

Seasonal

Pasta e Fagioli

The house soup is a daily staple and follows seasonal bean and pasta availability. Available while supplies last each day.

Classic

Baked Ziti

The baked ziti is a perennial lunch counter favorite, prepared fresh daily. Available while it lasts — often sells out by midday.

Weekend

Steak & Eggs Hero

The steak and eggs hero is a weekend morning staple at the counter, available Saturday mornings before the lunch rush.

Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All Defonte's menu categories with item counts.

The full menu

Every item on Defonte's menu

All categories below. Defonte's does not publish a public price list — see the pricing note below.

About these prices. Defonte's does not publish a price list online. Prices are omitted from this page per Menupedia policy on unverifiable pricing. To get current pricing, call the shop at the Columbia Street location directly, or ask at the counter when you visit. Items and descriptions reflect the shop's standard menu as publicly documented.
Dietary guide

Vegetarian options at Defonte's

Several of Defonte's most beloved heroes are vegetarian as served. The eggplant parmigiana hero, fresh mozzarella and roasted pepper hero, and pepper and eggs hero are all meatless. On the pasta side, baked ziti and eggplant parmigiana plates are available vegetarian.

Defonte's is not a dedicated vegetarian restaurant and the menu is dominated by meat-focused Italian-American fare, but the vegetarian options are genuine menu staples rather than afterthoughts.

  • Vegetarian heroes: Eggplant Parm, Fresh Mozzarella & Roasted Pepper, Pepper & Eggs
  • Vegetarian plates: Baked Ziti, Eggplant Parm Plate
  • Vegetarian soups: Pasta e Fagioli, Minestrone
  • Vegetarian sides: Side Salad, Potato Salad, Coleslaw
About Defonte's

A Brooklyn hero shop since 1922 — over a century of overstuffed sandwiches.

Defonte's opened on Columbia Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn in 1922 and has remained a neighborhood institution through a century of New York City change. The shop has been passed through generations of the Defonte family and is consistently listed among the best sandwich shops in NYC. The heroes are famous for their size — overstuffed rolls loaded generously by counter staff who have been doing it the same way for decades.

The Red Hook location at 379 Columbia Street remains the flagship and original. The neighborhood is historically Italian-American, and Defonte's is among its most lasting culinary legacies. The shop's no-frills counter-service format, cash-preferred payment, and early closure (when the food runs out) are all part of its character.

1922Founded
100+Years open
Red HookBrooklyn, NY
FamilyOwned
Six items that define Defonte's

What to order at Defonte's if it's your first visit

These six items represent the breadth of the Defonte's menu — from the signature hot heroes to the cold-cut classics and house pasta plates.

House signature

Meatball Parmigiana Hero

Hand-rolled house meatballs in slow-simmered marinara, topped with melted mozzarella on a toasted Italian hero roll. The single item most associated with Defonte's name across a century of New York food writing.

Cold-cut classic

Italian Combo

Salami, capicola, ham and provolone with lettuce, tomato, onion, oil and vinegar on a fresh Italian roll. The cold-hero equivalent of the meatball in importance to the menu.

Vegetarian standout

Eggplant Parmigiana Hero

Fried eggplant, marinara and melted mozzarella on a toasted roll. One of the most satisfying meatless options in the NYC hero landscape.

Brooklyn morning

Pepper & Eggs Hero

Scrambled eggs with sauteed bell peppers on a toasted roll. A classic NYC Italian-American breakfast hero that has been on the menu for generations.

Comfort plate

Pasta with Meatballs

House pasta tossed in slow-simmered marinara with large hand-rolled meatballs. The hot-plate option for anyone not in the mood for a hero.

Daily soup

Pasta e Fagioli

Thick Neapolitan-style soup of pasta and cannellini beans in a rich tomato broth. A Brooklyn lunch counter staple available daily while supplies last.

Visiting Defonte's

What to know before you go

Payment

Cash preferred

Defonte's has historically been cash-only or cash-preferred — a longstanding NYC deli tradition. Confirm payment options when you call ahead, as policy can change.

Hours

Get there early

The shop typically operates Monday through Saturday for lunch service. Many daily items sell out well before closing. Arriving by noon is strongly recommended for the full menu selection.

Ordering

Counter service only

No reservations, no table service. Walk up to the counter, order and wait. The format has not changed in a century — it is part of the experience.

Location

Red Hook, Brooklyn

379 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231. Red Hook is best reached by car or the B61 bus — the neighborhood is not directly served by the subway. Street parking is available on Columbia Street.

Size

Expect a big sandwich

Defonte's heroes are famously overstuffed. A single hero is a substantial meal. First-timers often find the medium is more than enough.

Parking

Street parking available

Red Hook has easier parking than most Brooklyn neighborhoods. Columbia Street has metered and free parking depending on the block. Check signs for current rules.

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Common questions

Defonte's menu — frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions people most commonly ask about Defonte's sandwiches, location, hours and history.

Where is Defonte's of Brooklyn located?

Defonte's original location is at 379 Columbia Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York (zip 11231). It is one of the longest-running sandwich shops in New York City, having operated from the same neighborhood since 1922. A second location opened in Staten Island and has since closed; the Columbia Street shop is the flagship and original.

What is Defonte's known for?

Defonte's is famous for its overstuffed Italian-American heroes — generously loaded hot and cold sandwiches on fresh-baked Italian rolls. The shop has been a Brooklyn institution since 1922 and is widely cited as one of the best sandwich shops in New York City. Signature items include the meatball parmigiana hero, sausage and peppers, chicken parmigiana, and classic deli cold cuts. The shop is also recognized for its daily pasta plates and house soups.

Is Defonte's cash only?

Defonte's has historically operated on a cash-preferred or cash-only basis, consistent with old-school Brooklyn deli tradition. Payment policy can change — call ahead or confirm on arrival. The shop does not take reservations and operates first-come, first-served from the counter.

What are Defonte's hours?

Defonte's generally operates Monday through Saturday for lunch service, roughly morning through mid-afternoon. Hours are subject to change, and the shop may close early when the day's food runs out. Always confirm current hours by calling the shop directly or checking Google Maps before visiting, as hours at traditional NYC delis can shift seasonally.

How long has Defonte's been open?

Defonte's has been open since 1922 — over 100 years. The shop was founded by the Defonte family in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and has remained in family hands through multiple generations. It is one of the oldest continuously operating sandwich shops in New York City and has been featured in numerous best-of-NYC food guides over the decades.

Does Defonte's have vegetarian options?

Yes. Several items are vegetarian as served, including the eggplant parmigiana hero, the fresh mozzarella and roasted pepper hero, the pepper and eggs hero, and the baked ziti. House soups including pasta e fagioli and minestrone are also vegetarian. The menu skews toward meat-focused Italian-American fare, but the vegetarian options are substantial and well-regarded.

Is Defonte's good for large groups or catering?

Defonte's is a small, counter-service deli and is best suited to individual or small-group walk-in orders. For large party or catering needs, contact the shop directly by phone — they have historically accommodated bulk sandwich orders for neighborhood events and offices. The shop does not have a formal catering menu online; direct inquiry is the best approach.

How does Defonte's compare to other NYC Italian hero shops?

Defonte's is often grouped with a handful of century-old NYC Italian deli institutions — places like Faicco's, Salumeria Biellese, and similar Red Hook and Carroll Gardens spots. Its distinguishing features are the volume of filling (heroes at Defonte's are notably large), the long history (open since 1922), and the Red Hook neighborhood setting. It is regularly listed among the top sandwich shops in Brooklyn and NYC overall.

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