Mama Louisa, That's a Tasty Sandwich!

I don't get out to New York Avenue nearly often enough because Mama Luisa's Hero Shoppe (609 New York Avenue (gmap)) is, by far, my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. And you can't even sit down.

The whole not-sitting-down thing, combined with a four-avenue schlep and the prospect of insane waiting time for a sandwich that you then have to carry home or eat on the sidewalk like a savage pretty much sums up why I go so rarely but when I do...

For about $7 you get a gigantic hero and it is a good goddamn sandwich, providing that rare combination of quantity, quality and value. On my most recent trip I got two heros: an artichoke parmigiana and broccoli rabe and sausage. I would recommend either of them for a convicted murderer seeking advice on a last meal. I don't know why I am inclined to give good advice to a murderer.

I expected the shop to be full of Kings County Hospital employees but it seems like much more of a neighborhood place. It is also quirky in that it is kind of a bodega with a random assortment of crap packing every available inch of wall space. I strongly suggest calling ahead because the lines can be long, the staff is lean and it can take 45 minutes for your sandwich to come out. It will be worth the wait, regardless. You can find a menu below the fold.

 

Comments

[Josh]

Hands down the best hero shop in our area. Try the flounder with tartar, lettuce and tomato. I believe they also cook a turkey up daily. Calling ahead is strongly recommended.

[babs]

Sounds delicious, although I don't see sausage and broccoli rabe hero on the menu. Also note that they close at 5, so this is not a dinner spot (unless you eat dinner very early or reheat it). Must try the chicken parm (the standard by which all heros are judged).

[Charles Star]

You're right, babs, that broccoli rabe isn't on the menu. It is on a sign at the shop. Unfortunately, it isn't an everyday item as they didn't have any today.

On the other hand I can now vouch for their chicken parm.

[taizhu]

Yeah, Mama Louisa is the best sandwich in this neighborhood hands down. Definitely a neighborhood fixture. I grew up in this neighborhood and my parents always picked up one of their heros on the way to the beach. Turkey, melted cheese...yum. it's stil the only think I want to be eating at the beach.

[Jessica]

If you don't want to wait in line and you don't want to schlep, they deliver. Pretty quickly, too. Of course that means not getting to peruse the walls covered with random crap from the year Gimmel.

[Jeanne]

Good things to know when you're entertaining: they do party platters and they will make you a whole cake by order as well, which is a nice alternative to supermarket cakes from Associated.

[dan]

Wow. I am amazed you still have this shop there. On Fenimore Street, I still have some old Italian grandaunts living there, of the Oliva family (their father, Giovanni, came from Napoli, in the early 1900s. My grandfather, Louie, was born in that area in 1917). I'll have to pay this shop a visit.

[Cheryl]

Mama Louisia , is one of the best ! I usually pick up a salad and a fruit bowl, in the summer. I usually call 20 minutes ahead and when i get there its ready. the food is absolutely delicious