I hope I am not breaking etiquette... Italian subs
This is my 1st post here, so I hope I am not crossing the line. I am an 'industry insider', so to speak.
In reading the posts, I noticed someone asked about the best place for Italian subs in the south Florida area. I live next to a small sub shop in the Davie/Plantation area, and sort of stumbled across this business while cruising around, trying to find restaurants unhappy with their produce vendors and looking to find someone to provide quality fruits and veggies from all over the country. I am not an employee of this sub shop, just someone who's now become a customer, and has eaten their food for about 6 years, now.
The shop is called LaSpada's - the first thing I noticed when I walked in is the perfect quality of their lettuce and tomatoes. Unfortunately, no business for me there, but I was turned on to what I consider to be the best Italian sub shop I have ever visited.
They make a sub called The Monster. The thing is massive. I'd guesstimate it at about 14 or 15" long, in the large version, and the way it is built is impressive. I have no contact info, address, etc. for them, but they are most likely in the yellow pages, I'd think.
Normally I go into a joint, buy a large sub, and eat it as part of a meal. This thing is so large it IS the meal. In fact, it usually makes 2 meals for me, and I eat alot. The bread is sliced, a selection of ham, turkey, salami, and capicola, is laid down as the first layer. This is followed by the add-ons - lettuce, tomatoes. sweet or hot peppers, olives, etc. I'm sure you get the picture. Mayo, oil and vinegar, sweet or spicy mustard, your choices. Then yet another layer of meats is added to the top, and tucked under the first couple of layers, making a nice round bundle in the bread. Then more oil and vinegar, salt and pepper, etc.
If I had to guess I'd say the thing weighs about a pound, probably more. For under 10 bucks, in this area, it's a pretty amazing sub. There is always a line of people pretty much extending out the door, and it is frequented by the Dolphins players once they get out of practice. It's pretty cool to watch those guys, too, as the push your sub down the line, adding to it as they go.
Local guys, local fans, and killer food. I don't think you'll find better, at least in my experience. I highly recommend it. Have any of you ever heard of it?
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netmover
Dec 17, 2007 09:13 PM
La Spada has NO equals!
For an awesome Italian Sub try Del Presta in Pompano just south of Atlantic on 441 aka State Rd 7. Very good. They offer several different capiccolas along with other great Italian goodies. I think the Italian sub is Mortadella, Capiccola, Salami. It is a small place, market, butcher, deli. It's really good if you are in the neighborhood.
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re: floridan
netmover
Dec 18, 2007 06:10 PM
ok sorry, I thought the otherside of Atlantic was Margate?
seriously good stuff at Del Presta! There is something in that bread that gives me ogida, but I love it nonetheless.
Dade could use some sub representazion! Good Italian Deli in Dade? Yeah, Lorenzo's in NMB, where else? Non existant on Miami Beach...slim pickens in the 305.
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I like Doris' Italian Bakery and Deli in Hollywood and Bigfoot's on Griffin Road. Different styles, but both excellent.
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re: flavrmeistr
Suzyummy
Oct 10, 2007 10:01 AM
Flav,
4346 Seagrape Drive (side street on the right/south side of Commercial Blvd. east of the Intracoastal Bridge)
Lauderdale-by-the-sea, FL 33308
(954)776-7893
http://www.laspadashoagies.com/locati...Fantaaabulous.
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This is somewhat off topic, but I have such a beef with their name! We have a LaSpada's in Clearwater that is out of Delaware County, PA. I have been a long-time patron there. If this is the same place, the ORIGINAL LaSpada's Cheesesteaks and Hogies in CLW had to change their name to DELCO, even though they were in business before any other LaSpada's in FL. Anyway..haven't tried S. Florida LaSpada's as I don't get down there. BUT--
If you want a REAL philly cheesesteak, and you're in the area, go to DELCO. They also have pizza steaks and hogies. DELCO (formerly LaSpada's) is in Dunedin on SR 580.
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re: sstinso01
OysterHo
Oct 7, 2007 06:31 AM
I've been going to LaSpada's since high school in the mid 1970's. We used to go to the one in Lauderdale by the Sea and I believe that was the original shop. It was probably open long before that, but that's when I got my driver's license so I remember driving there.
Now that I live in Coconut Creek, I'm glad to know they have a shop in Coral Springs! :D
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RickL
Oct 1, 2007 09:23 AM
My wife and I went to La Spada's in Coral Springs a year ago after seeing it rated a 25 by Zagat. I couldn't believe a sandwich shop with the 4th highest rating in PBC so we tried it and were underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, the subs were good but I just couldn't understand the fuss.
If you're around Boca, try V&S Italian Deli & Subs (2621 N Federal Hwy.) They make great sandwiches but my favorite is the V&S Special (Sopressata, Mortadella, and Provolone.) I have it with the works including cherry peppers and their own Italian dressing. That's good chow.
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Run, don't walk to Talia's Tuscan Table. It's in Boca Raton on Dixie Highway and Spanish River Blvd. You feel like you've walked in to an old fashioned Italian deli on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. The "Bronx Bomber" is what they serve in heaven! All of the other sandwiches are great too, as is the prepared food.
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re: RickL
Rickl-
Its been a few years, but lets just say it was never a good experience. I used to work around there and my co-workers and I went twice, first we were giving them the benefit of doubt, but the second time was worse. I just remember it not being the cleanest place, and bad food. Sorry I cant give more details, its been a few years. Stick with V& S there the best, and a nice bunch of people.
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For the first time in years, I ate an Italian-style panini last week at Fresh Market in Coconut Grove. Rustic, simple and absolutely delicious, super toasted hearth bread, with salami's, pepperoni and capicola topped with melted provolone over tomato slices. I think it was like $7. They have them stacked up, pre-made, in the deli section, waiting to be thrown on the panini press. Definitely not American "sub-style", more European style, but go check it out. I did a quick check and there are Fresh Market's in Plantation and Coral Springs and their website is thefreshmarket.com.
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Suzyummy
Sep 28, 2007 12:43 PM
Yup. One of my very very favorites....and no, you're definitely not breaching any kind of etiquette here....this is about food we love. Their bread is fresh and delicious, their cold cuts are Boars Head and sliced fresh for your order. There are 3 La Spadas: 1 in Davie (sounds like this is the one you are talking about), 1 off of Commercial Blvd. in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and 1 on Sample Road in Coral Springs....they are all the same and all excellent. I know the one on Sample is 'cash only' so be warned if you're heading that way.
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