Defonte's Sandwich Shop, Red Hook
24 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/nyc, r/AskNYC, r/FoodNYC29 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 4 threads.
What people say, in short
Diners recommend Defonte's in Red Hook for sandwiches. Individual favorites include the shrimp parm hero, the cold Nicky special, and roast pork with eggplant and gravy. Three commenters are less enthusiastic: one prefers another deli, one dislikes the thin eggplant, and one advises skipping it. Other diners like it but find the journey inconvenient or would not make a special detour.
Address
Defonte's Sandwich Shop, 379 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/PlanEarly49 in r/nyc · Feb 2025taste
Calls Defonte's a fantastic sandwich and one of their favorites.
- Recommendsu/bkshuffle in r/AskNYC · Jul 2025
Recommends Defonte's.
- Recommendsu/The_Ghost_42 in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026
Agrees with the existing picks and adds Defonte's as another top option.
- Recommendsu/NYU2018 in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026
Names Defonte's as their personal pick.
- Recommendsu/azdak in r/nyc · Feb 2025taste
Replying to the Defontes comment, says they crave its crispy eggplant.
- Recommendsu/bmoody345 in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026
Says Defonte's might be the best sandwich shop in the city.
- Recommendsu/Dirtythrowawaybk in r/AskNYC · Jul 2025taste
Praises a favorite sandwich and crisp fried shrimp from a visit.
- Recommendsu/roaring_rubberducky in r/nyc · Feb 2025
Says they eat at Defontes most Fridays, usually a shrimp parm hero, and have tried much of the menu.
Show all 29 cited comments
- Recommendsu/mk11201 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2026
Enthusiastically agrees with the Defonte's pick.
- Recommendsu/itisplr in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026
Ranks Defonte's as their top favorite.
- Recommendsu/an_other_me in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Suggests checking out Defonte's too.
- Recommendsu/Garconavecunreve in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2026
Lists Defonte's among old-school favorites.
- Recommendsu/Interesting_Common54 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025taste
Ranks Defonte's among the top two sandwiches they have tried.
- Recommendsu/GratefulDawg73 in r/AskNYC · Jul 2025
Names this among favorites elsewhere in the city.
- Mixedu/Morsexier in r/nyc · Feb 2025variety
Feels the shop is stuck in time, admires its classic menu, but wants a modern take added.
- Recommendsu/burner3303 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2026
Names Defonte's as one pick.
- Recommendsu/Maleficent_Writer429 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2026
Names Defonte's as their pick.
- Recommendsu/brooklyndan in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2026
Names Defonte's in Red Hook as their pick.
- Recommendsu/m_ja in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2026
Says Defonte's in Red Hook is top-notch.
- Mixedu/beer_nyc in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025value
Calls it a great spot but not worth it for visitors.
- Recommendsu/ImAshKetchum in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Names Defonte's as the answer.
- Recommendsu/loudonfast in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025taste
Calls the cold Nicky special unique and excellent.
- Recommendsu/smithstreeter in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Recommends ordering three specific sandwiches there.
- Caveatu/DorianHistorian in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025taste
Finds the eggplant too thin, tasting mostly of breading, while admitting it may be a personal preference.
- Recommendsu/Sognatore24 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Picks the Red Hook location for a top spot, alongside Pisillo downtown.
- Caveatu/tmm224 in r/AskNYC · Aug 2025taste
Says another deli is better, implying this one falls short.
- Mixedu/sha256md5 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025value
Says it's not worth a detour, though fine if you're already nearby.
- Caveatu/empanadaboy68 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Advises against going to Defonte's.
- Recommendsu/TacoTom84 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025taste
Recommends the sandwiches at Defonte's.
More maps in New York, United States
- Places to visit in New York
- Best burgers in New York
- Indian restaurants in New York
- Best steak in New York
- Museums in New York
- Best pizza in New York
- Best breakfast in New York
- Best cafés in New York
- Best bars in New York
- Best sushi in New York
- Best ramen in New York
- Best seafood in New York
- Parks in New York
- Best ice cream in New York
Did this page answer your question?
Freshness
Details last checked 4 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.