A great sandwich can be as comforting as a hug, especially when that sandwich reminds you of home in some way.
A grilled cheese that reminds you of your mom, an egg salad that tastes almost like grandma’s, a turkey club that reminds you of your own attempt at that classic, assembled with Thanksgiving leftovers.
If a sandwich can make you feel like home, then the best sort of sandwich shop that can make you feel like family. And that’s what you’ll find at Frank & Louie’s Italian Specialties. This is a family-run business in Rehoboth Beach is set on making their customers feel like relations.
The Bascio brothers go as far as naming their sandwiches after family, close friends and loyal customers.
“Louie is extremely creative and thoughtful,” the management team said in a group email. “He came up with the ingredient ideas for the sandwich menu and the unique names for them. The Tiny Dancer is named for [his] daughter Lauren. The Sal’s Italian is named for [his] son Salvatore. It is a great coincidence that those two sandwiches are among our most popular with our customers.
“The other sandwiches are mostly named after dear, longtime family friends. The Teddy’s Favorite, The C & C Special, The Katie’s Favorite, all friends or customers who became like family to us!
“The General is named after Louie’s first boss and mentor,” explains the Frank & Louie’s Team.
Delis and sandwich shops are not uncommon in Delaware and the family aspect is not the only thing that makes Frank & Louie’s a standout.
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“We are unique in what we offer and how we all work together as a family,” the owners attest. “We each bring something different to the table in how we run our day-to-day operations. It would not work if we all did not work together. We are not absentee owners and we do not have a staff of hired employees. When we are open, you will always know that both Frank and Louie are there … together. It is a pure labor of love for all who are involved.
“In an area with so many different restaurant choices, we provide another option that is a step above traditional “take-out,” they continue. “We are cooking for our customers and preparing delicious, fresh, homemade food that is meant to be enjoyed at home with the people you love!”
Along with Frank & Louie’s, here are some other sandwich shops where you can savor a great meal, and a little taste of home:
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Wilmington
Capriotti’s is known for their sandwiches and there’s a reason for that. With classics like Italian, meatball or homemade tuna, it’s no wonder they are so popular.
Some of the more innovative sandwiches include the American Wagyu Slaw Be Jo which is American Wagyu beef,coleslaw, provolone, Russian dressing and mayo. And don’t miss The Bobbie or The Hot Bobbie, Thanksgiving dinner on roll.
Along with an array of sandwiches they also offer salads and kids meals.
Capriotti’s is open 11a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Capriotti’s, 2124 Silverside Road, Wilmington, (302) 479- 9818, order.capriottis.com/store/6481/Capriotti%27s%20Silverside%20Rd.%20-%20Barba%20Plaza
Drip Cafe, Hockessin
Drip Cafe offers brunch all day, so a wide range of their sandwich offerings are breakfast related. They have classics like BLTs, egg sandwiches and breakfast burritos, as well as more unique choices.
The Rachel consists of roasted turkey, Swiss cheese, apple-cabbage slaw, and Thousand Island dressing on grilled pumpernickel rye.
Looking for a twist on the classic breakfast sammie? Try The Cali, made up of fried egg, mozzarella, avocado, arugula, and basil aioli on sourdough toast.
Drip Cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Drip Cafe, 144 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, (302) 234-4430, dripcafede.com/pages/hockessin
Frank & Louie’s Italian Specialties, Rehoboth Beach
This family-owned take out deli, bakery and specialty store is located close to the beach and ready to serve you sandwiches, baked goods and more.
The made-to-order sandwiches include the Tiny Dancer, featuring fresh mozzarella, tomato or roasted redpeppers, and basil.
Madie’s Cady is made up of eggplant cutlets, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers and and basil. For an extra $1, you can add a chicken cutlet.
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Sandwiches are “all made on warm, crusty Ciabatta rolls drizzled with olive oil and cut in half,” the owners say.
Call ahead to order take out. Frank & Louie’s is open Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Frank & Louie’s Italian Specialties, 58 Baltimore Ave., (302) 227-5777, frankandlouies.com/#About
Ioannoni’s Speciality Sandwiches, New Castle
“Not Just Another Sub Shop!”
This promising slogan is plastered loud and clear on Ioannoni’s website. They strive to deliver on this promise by taking their time to create specialty sandwiches using “traditional Italian recipes and methods.”
Two of the many favorites at Ioannoni’s: Gi Gi’s Delight, a chicken cutlet sandwich with broccoli rabe,roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella cheese, and the Guiliana, a chicken cutlet sandwich with broccoli rabe, sharp provolone and spicy sauce.
Ioannonni’s is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ioannoni’s Specialty Sandwiches, 624 E. Basin Road., New Castle, (302) 322-5000, ioannonis.com
Pickles & Chips, Wilmington
This North Wilmington staple is well known for breakfast sandwiches and their quirky name.
While breakfast sammies are a specialty, Pickles & Chips offers plenty of other options for other times of day as well as special events.
They serve classics like BLTs, chicken salad, club sandwiches, wraps and more.
Specialty sandwiches include The Blue Hen, a grilled chicken wrapped in ham, with choice of Swiss, provolone or American cheese, mayo or honey mustard, on a roll.
They also have the Bellywhopper, which consists of “fried potatoes, fried onions, diced ham, eggs and cheese on a sub roll.
Pickles and Chips is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.
Pickles & Chips, 1707 Foulk Road, (302) 478-5720, picklesandchipsde.com
Purebread Deli, Newark
Purebread Deli loves dogs.
They also enjoy serving healthy foods, with sandwiches offered any time of the day.
You could start with the Hound Dog, a breakfast sandwich consisting of chunky peanut butter, banana, honey and cinnamon on sourdough.
For lunch you could try their Jack Russel sandwich, a roasted chicken creation with smoked bacon, cheddar and peppercorn ranch on grilled cheddar bread.
Finally for dinner you can chow down on the Cocker Spaniel sandwich, consisting of avocado, cucumber, tomato, spinach, onion, veggie cream cheese on multigrain bread.
Purebread Deli is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.
Purebread Deli, 1309 Churchmans Road, Newark, (302) 455-9866, purebreaddeli.com
Rosenfeld’s Delicatessen, Rehoboth Beach
Rosenfeld’s is “a traditional, kosher-style, full service Jewish deli restaurant” available for eat-in,take-out, and catering.
The iconic eatery is known for “legendary Reubens” and offers a variety including traditional, deli style or beef brisket.
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Rosenfeld’s also serves an array of other sandwiches including traditional ones like egg salad, tuna salad, BLTs and more.
Rosenfeld’s in Rehoboth Beach is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli, 18949 Coastal Highway, (302) 645-1700, rosenfeldsjewishdeli.com
The Original Hot Bagels, Newark
At The Original Hot Bagels, the staff makes their New York bagels every morning from scratch.
But this isn’t just a bagel shop. They serve many other types of sandwiches, too.
Mayis Ham It Up consists of melted Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and yellow or honey mustard.
Classic offerings include cheesesteaks, grilled cheese, BLTs and more.
The Original Hot Bagels is open Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Original Hot Bagel, 695 E Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, (302) 369-8809,theoriginalhotbagels.com
