Nardelli's to open in Middletown....

[BiscuitBoy]

....66, near jeds autoparts

[BiscuitBoy]

ended up trying nardelli's, to see for myself...and I thought it was pretty darn good. I went the second day it was opened, lines almost out the door, about 18 people deep. If they're gonna have a bad service day, if the food isn't right, this has got to be the day they fumble the ball, right? NOPE! I had a grilled chicken grinder, l,t,mayo hot sauce, and that strange pickled pepper relish (you can always ask them to hold it, you know). It was delicious...chock full of chicken, the bread had a nice crust on the outside, the relish a nice contrast to the hot chicken, and a decent value at $7 and change. Had a bite of the Italian combo, and it was also similarly full of meat and tasty. You can always get a grinder made to order, instead of choosing the menu offerings as well. Lots of other prepared food choices, salads, desserts also...everything looked very yummy. While public market is my favorite sandwich place, it's nice to have a little quality variety closeby too

[lsnhc]

Along the same lines, last Friday I had a doctor's appointment in Branford and needed to grab lunch before I headed back to the office. As I was driving up Rt 1 I noticed that a Jersey Mike's had opened on Branford Hill. While we're definitely not dealing with gourmet fare, I was very pleasantly impressed. All of the meats and cheeses are sliced to order, the bread was really nice, and while a bit more expensive than Subway or Quizno's, the quality is light years ahead of both. The only real negative was that because everything is sliced and cooked to order, the sandwich making process is rather slow, but given the alternatives (pre-sliced and pre-cooked crap on Wonder Bread like rolls), I would definitely return.

[junescook]

Another bleh. I just do not get Nardelli's. Again maybe it's because I grew up in an Italian neighborhood (Highwood on the New haven-- Hamden line) that I got spoiled. But to me a grinder was was made from thinly sliced Italian salami and provalone, tomatoes and lettuce and a kiss of Italian olive oil on bread that was only hours out of the oven.

I have gotten sandwiches at all of the Nardelli outlets in the Waterbury area and I have yet to have one that I've really enjoyed. The cold ones have this strange pickle pepper sauce on them. Recently DW and I stopped in to try the place in Southbury. We ordered a chicken grinder. There was so much breading on the fried filet I had to scrape it off; it was like paste. It was no surprise that at this point there were no customers at Nardelli's at ca 1:30pm while there was still a line at Subway in Southbury.

And while I'm on the subject, Subways are privately owned franchises. Some are much better than others. The Southbury one is better than any other I've been to. For a 6" they cut 3" off the end of the roll and then probably put as much meat in as a normal place would in to a 12. They always have fresh vegetables as well, spinach, etc..

[BiscuitBoy]

so maybe you remember gioia....lower dixwell ave...always called anything south of woodin st the combat zone...anyway, nardelli opened yesterday, will give it a looksee

[junescook]

If it was between Milano's Market and Marioni's Ice Cream I do. I just don't remember the name. I grew up down the street from the Venice and the Dixwell Theater.

[BiscuitBoy]

Ahhhh, venice, nobody makes bread like they do

[riffjamer]

thats why Franklin Giant Grinder in Hartford is still the best.
1 location, true to the original recipes& not trying to get larger(in number of locations) & still happy with being the best.

[junescook]

I am with you on that, riffjamer.

[awm922]

Venice made the best Pizza. Burnt crust, big bubbles of crust, spicy sauce. That was the only pizza I had for years growing up in Highwood. I lived just down the street from Gioia on George. I also remember the place on First and Dixwell. Porketta sandwiches were so good. Bell's for Italian Ice and pastries, Harry's after Church at St. Ann's for cherry cokes made by the soda jerk at the old counter. Bread from Lupi-Legna, Sausage from Highwood Provisions. Seafood from Hamden Fish Market. I consider myself very lucky to have grown up in that area.

[bagelman01]

Right next toi Sterling and Sussman?????????

Venice for Pizza and Bread, Royal Food for Deli

[junescook]

Exactly, from the corner of Cherry Ann going north were the Dixwell Theater, Harry Flaxman's Highwood Pharmacy, Sterling Sussman's clothing store, and then the food stores. I'm thinking maybe Lupi Legna (Venice) Bakery) in the alley, the Marioni's Ice Cream, Bell's Pastry, Hamden Fish, Gioa's then Milano's Market on the corner?

[bagelman01]

Culminating with Dadio's farm for vegetable with St. Ann's Church on the corner

[lsnhc]

ahhh...Venice...if there is one restaurant that I really miss, it's Venice. It was close to our house (we live in the East Rock area of New Haven) and was our go-to spot for Sunday night dinners. Entering it was like going into a time warp....decor from 1950's (maybe earlier!)...prices to match! Order a glass of wine (you had your choice...red or white!)..and it was served in a juice glass!!! I think the most expensive entree was probably around $6 - $7 and you could never finish everything!!!!! It was truly one of the last "old school" neighborhood Italian restaurants.

[melbct]

bleh. twenty even ten years ago the naugatuck shop was fantastic. now in standardizing everything to franchise, the sandwiches are half the size they used to be, bread not as good (cheaper)....no more pints of libby's italian ices from wooster st... still better than mcdonalds etc to grab a quick lunch, but nothing to go out of your way for anymore

[BiscuitBoy]

So sad, I wonder if the original location drank the kool aid too