Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe

Graham Avenue in East Williamsburg still carries the old name Via Vespucci on its street signs, and Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe is one of the reasons the Italian-American spirit of the strip endures. Family owned and operated since 1994, the shop was opened by Antonio Curcio after he emigrated from Italy, and it has been run with his son and daughter behind the counter. It is a classic Brooklyn sandwich shop in every way: a narrow room, a deli case of cured meats and cheeses, mozzarella made fresh each day, and a line of regulars who know exactly what they want. The shop even sells its own merch, from tees to shorts, to fans of the brand.

New York Turk stopped by for a lunch here in 2025, and lunch is the right call. The shop is famous for its chicken cutlets, toasted on garlic bread with vodka sauce, and its best-known sandwich is the FDNY. Beyond those, build your own from the deli case, and if you see fresh mozzarella on offer, add it. Sandwiches are generous and made to order, so expect a short wait at peak lunch hours. There is little seating, so plan to take your panini to nearby McCarren Park or eat standing at the counter, the way the neighborhood always has. Check the shop's site or call ahead if you are making a special trip.