Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. will birth in the Nice Central District later this one year | St. Pete Rising
A Tampa sandwich store known for its Novel York Italian-American chicken cutlet sandwiches is making its formula to St. Pete’s Nice Central District.
Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co., lately suggested by the Michelin Data, is making ready to begin at 2063 Central Avenue, taking on the put formerly residence to Small Philly, which closed in December.
The contemporary sandwich store is anticipated to debut by the end of 2026.
The menu parts a diversity of chicken cutlet sandwiches, comparable to the ideal-promoting Thee Parmesan Don, a chicken parmesan sandwich with residence-made red sauce, mozzarella, and grated parmesan.
A smaller lineup of Italian-American deli sandwiches and wraps are additionally on hand.
For partner AJ DeSimone, the transfer all around the Bay has been a in point of fact very lengthy time coming.
“Opening a 2d location in St. Pete looks love the natural development of a restaurant that begins in Tampa…but we realizing that it’s an fully varied market,” DeSimone stated in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We’re no longer seeking to ‘Tampa their St. Pete,’ but we are seeking to be a allotment of their community and bring a gain of cuisine that could perhaps additionally no longer be on hand to all of them of the time.”
Cousin Vinny’s “That Louie” sandwich consists of a Hand Breaded Chicken Cutlet, House Made Pesto Aioli, Red Peppers, and Mozzarella on an Italian sub | COusin Vinny’s
DeSimone and co-owner Russell “Cuz” Leone grew up three blocks aside in Utica, Novel York, allotment of a correct-knit Italian-American community where food used to be central to each day life.
It’s the roughly net page where delis and pizzerias are on every nook, and chicken cutlet sandwiches are a staple.
Along with Vincent “Vinny” Andriotti and Jake Schmidt, the community scheme out to recreate that journey in Tampa Bay.
None of them came from former restaurant ownership backgrounds, but they shared a clear realizing of what they wished to help.
“Shall we gain heaps of these sandwiches in each net page in Novel York, but they weren’t as routine in Tampa Bay,” DeSimone stated. “When we started the ghost kitchen in 2023, my purpose used to be to look if folks for scoot wished one thing love this in Tampa.”
They launched Cousin Vinny’s out of a commissary kitchen on Nebraska Avenue, operating merely just a few days a week with online ordering and pickup.
The householders of Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. are, from left, Jake Schmidt, Russell “Cuz” Leone, Vincent “Vinny” Andriotti, and AJ DeSimone | Cousin Vinny’s
The thought that snappy gained repute and led to a brick-and-mortar location that opened in Tampa’s NoHo neighborhood final one year.
Interior months, the store earned a guideline from the Michelin Data.
“Any sandwich aficionado knows or no longer it is all concerning the bread and the fillings, and both are firstclass right here,” the knowledge’s write-up reads.
Every cutlet is hand-breaded, pounded skinny, and fried till crisp, then served sizzling on toasted Italian bread with a garlic spread. From there, the sandwiches branch out.
The Tony Piccante combines the cutlet with moving vodka sauce, roasted red peppers, ricotta, and melted mozzarella.
The Capo del Schmeet adds cherry pepper mayo, capicola, provolone, arugula, onion, and Italian French dressing for a sharper, spicier profile.
The Chicken Caesar wrap entails a grilled or fried chicken cutlet, romaine, croutons, and housemade Caesar dressing | Cousin Vinny’s
There might be additionally a chain of sandwiches on residence-made schiacciata bread, which is is called the cousin to focaccia.
The Tuscan-fashion bread, baked in-residence, is thinner and crispier than focaccia and serves as the spoiled for several standout sandwiches.
The Prosciutto Di Papo layers prosciutto, contemporary mozzarella, arugula, roasted red peppers, and a roasted artichoke cream spread, carried out with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
The Tomei & Mozz keeps issues lighter with residence-made mozzarella, tomato, arugula, pesto aioli, and balsamic.
Open air of sandwiches, Cousin Vinny’s provides a chicken Caesar wrap plus aspects love meatballs, Caesar salad, and chips.
Truffles include cannoli cream pudding, murky and white cookies, and brown butter chocolate chip cookies.
The Prosciutto di Papo contains prosciutto, contemporary mozzarella, arugula, roasted red peppers, and a housemade roasted artichoke cream spread, topped with EVOO and balsamic glaze | Cousin Vinny’s
Whereas the food is the scheme, the narrative in the help of it continues to form the logo.
Chef Vinny Andriotti has described the thought that as a reflection of his upbringing and a tribute to his leisurely father, who believed he used to be happiest in the kitchen, regardless of earning a level in finance.
Now, as the team prepares to compose greater into St. Pete, they’re taking a measured formula to thunder.
DeSimone stated they’ve frolicked in the Nice Central District getting a for scoot feel for the neighborhood, looking on the way in which it shifts block by block and the way in which it continues to conform.
“It’s an exhilarating time to be joining the neighborhood,” DeSimone stated. “I deem it’s handiest going to set rising from right here.”
Guarantee to coach Cousin Vinny’s on Facebook and Instagram to stop awake up to now on the most contemporary offerings and a immense opening date.
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