Inside One of Brooklyn’s Oldest Sandwich Shops | Sandwich City | NYT Cooking

[@Littlestraincloud]

NYT you gotta warn us when the sandwich video is actually a tribute to grief, got me crying into my lunch

[@fantasiafox22]

Swear. What a wholesome family/shop. ❤❤❤

[@ashleys637]

It's like Pixar's Up all over again. I go in expecting a happy tale of a grumpy old man flying around the world with a cheerful kid, but BAM. Opens with 10 minutes of the old man watching his wife get weak and die. These unexpected pulling of the heartstrings, man.

[@SaraBourbonNight]

Sissy

[@EliteCongo]

poop guy has heart

[@kylevasconcelos7335]

on God like I wasnt ready for that

[@saffianosss]

Gosh, what a beautiful way of keeping the memory of his son alive. Never thought a story about a sandwich could make me cry.

[@Paulxl]

It also looks amazing.

[@bigbeefjoedaddy]

YOu need some real problems in life if thats all it takes to make you cry

[@Tasty_masty]

😍😍😍😍

[@AlbertoGonzalez..]

Nobody cares couldn’t even see the whole video they talked more an about there personal lives than food . whole reason for the video was food!!

[@untrustworthyshelfing9953]

Yeah, that sideswiped me.

[@youtubeyoutubeyoutube9961]

And all day he's gotta hear "Chenzo 13" when people order. Great way to keep his memory alive.

[@Tasty_masty]

😊👌😍😍😍

[@JulieSeager]

NYT has outdone itself with this one, the direction, cinematography, soundtrack is just next level for their documentary style videos! They captured so much heart and soul and character in such a short beautiful video

[@jaredrogers7863]

bot account, certainly a bought bot advertisement from the video uploader

[@ridethespiral1219]

Chenzo 13 is my go-to at Defonte's. Such a beautiful video and tribute.

[@Tasty_masty]

😊🥰😍😍

[@scottgollahon3681]

To create a sandwich in the memory of your son to feed others is one of the most BEAUTIFUL tributes I have ever seen......God bless you and your family sir, I am sorry for your loss

[@Pw32828]

This is the type of video that makes you proud to be from NYC.

[@haikoostudio]

got me cryin at a sandwich video

[@Tasty_masty]

😍😍😍

[@pretendtobenormal8064]

Me too when I saw the prices.

[@ntoms]

@@pretendtobenormal8064 walk to the nearest subway to save 50 cents worth of petrol to have a half-filled sub

[@Jongleur77]

This place is one of the handful of places that actually lives up to the hype. The sandwiches here are PHENOMENAL!!! Honestly so many good options. It’s absolutely worth visiting!!!!

[@madibrown9609]

The Cenzo really is a true Italian sandwich. It made me cry hearing him talk about his son. The love that people have for their kids is truly something else.

[@GlenStreater]

I misspelled Deftones and here we are, no regrets

[@jorb1903]

LMAO

[@courtlandcreekmore1421]

Anyone cool enough to like Deftones and Defonte's is cool enough for me.

[@arlenesolis024]

Very touching honoring their son and family members. The sandwich has me drooling

[@Tasty_masty]

😍😍🥰😍😍

[@mr.johnson7424]

My father always talked about this place. He loved it. He would get sandwiches from there and bring them home to Manhattan. He brought my mother her when they first started dating. He passed away August 7th of this year.

[@alexfernandez200]

I’m sorry for your loss❤️

[@jes_cannon]

This video really captures the warmth and energy of this special spot. & What a sweet way to honor his son. No doubt the Chenzo 13 has brought happiness to many. A true NYC gem - Defonte's is one of one!

[@Perfectoisme1]

I get a wave of nostalgia every time I see articles about Defonte's. My picture from when I was performing in Las Vegas was on the wall of fame that I autographed for Vito. Someone stole the picture. I took my ex there a few years ago and Nicky set up a little table towards the back of the shop so we could eat. The little table is always there now. Fantastic people and fantastic memories. God Bless them always.

[@innervisions100]

As soon as he said, "the Cenzo 13," I could tell that Cenzo was no longer with us. His whole face and demeanor changed. I'm glad he found a wonderful way to keep his son's memory alive and spread it to others. I hope to taste that sandwich one day.

[@3rdGenFireChicken]

This is what this world has to get back too. These kinds of roots and values. Salute to you guys much respect. Love to see family work together in harmony. My son and I work together everyday 4-8 hours a day Wouldn’t have it any other way

[@perspicaciouscritic]

1:43 - I had to replay, and replay, and replay again, to be convinced that the sandwhich-wrapping wasn't sped up in the edit. Hugely impressed.

[@Tasty_masty]

😊👌👌

[@michaelpacheco186]

So stoked for Defonte’s to get some love. Eggplant prov and peppers, my favorite sandwich ever. I miss it dearly

[@bmwx5m226]

You can still get it? Are you talking about the Manhattan location? That closed right?

[@Jae-lg6nv]

I too have a piece of my heart missing- Lula Lynn! My precious beautiful daughter! Mr. Defonte~ tonight I will carry a little piece of your grief so you don't have to carry it all. I will light a candle and say your sons name aloud for he was here and he mattered. Thank you for sharing so much of your family with us!

[@maeve4686]

I never want to loose a child. What a lovely way to memorialize him. You have an absolutely beautiful family...they say we make memories for our children..You have made a memory of him to everyone. That sandwich touches hearts, soothes those who have lost a family member or friend & miss them & reminds them that love is never wasted...❤😊

[@1lecher]

I've visited Defonte's about 5 times and I always left with a smile before even having a bite. Wonderful but efficient service and the environment really feels like the old NY. Here's to another 100 years

[@neelshiv]

White Pony is a classic album, and Diamond Eyes was a revitalization as well. Great to see the boys branching out into sandwiches.

[@rubenp1173]

lmao

[@drankmaker713]

I literally saw the title as Deftones and clicked on it because of it lol

[@Babypapayaproductions]

Def Tonys Sandwiches

[@Tasty_masty]

😊👌👌

[@Vic-eg7iu]

@@drankmaker713same here 😂😂

[@leoincorvaia693]

I miss Vincent, we worked together, Local 94. He once said to me that I’m like an “uncle” to him. I still hear him say “oh my God”❤

[@jaredrogers7863]

nope, none of that is true

[@migmey]

Its always so nice to see that these little stores put all the passion, the knowledge and the devotion into one particular product. And you can feel and taste it, I guess. Yum, yum….🥰😋

[@ShannB650]

Love these videos. Truly highlighting hard work, passion, family, culture and food. I have been cooking with NYT for years now and it's like a community in the comments and Melissa Clark is a friend ✨

[@JoJo.Christmas]

Larry and Ant! My guys. 🇮🇹🇺🇸 This neighborhood joint is legendary. Rest easy Chenzo. 🙏🏼

[@intheknowjo]

The best potatoes and eggs sandwich. I used to order them to my office when I worked in NYC in 2012. God bless this family. Great video ❤

[@markmendelis7788]

What a lovely video and tribute to the great Defonte's! Well done, NYT!

[@RWOner666]

This is one of those places where all walks of life come together with no care of who you are but for the good vibes and love of a good sandwich made with care. This is NYC that doesn’t get spoken of enough.

[@clifftendler8647]

Wonderfully produced content! Truly captures in sight, sound and emotion the essence of this landmark sandwich shop.

[@Khoiwind]

NYT never stop this kind of food journalism of family businesses and family stories

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

By all means we have to keep places like this alive in America. This is America!! All walks of life in this video circled around great food!! Cheers to 100 more years GOD willing 🙏🤘🤘🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@whocares12345]

The vegetarian sandwiches are banging too. Fast even if there’s a line, the bread is good and the fillings are 👌🏾👌🏾

[@sahmoonmoua3949]

Best video I ever seen literally the father was in so much pain talking about his son it touched me definitely one day coming here and getting that sandwich

[@RileysRocknRacinEnjoynLifeDad]

These are the places I love to find. Local family run joints that are putting out food with love and a passion for what they're doing. That can't be faked.

[@wepmajoe]

Exceptional video from y'all. I don't venture into Red Hook often, unless it's for work, but I'll make a special trip for Chenzo and his family, who clearly love both him and their work very much.

[@AwkwardBush]

I went here with my dad and my brothers years ago. Sat out back on one of the picnic tables. Great sandwiches. Great environment. Great memory. RIP pops

[@seanclark9258]

The Chenzo#13 looks so good & what a great combination of ingredients & tribute to your son ❤️.

[@od5233]

Brings these sandwiches down to New Orleans Po Boy Fest next year! NO's french bread doesn't have sesame seeds but the sandwiches have the same feeling of love for the people.

[@Tasty_masty]

😊😍👌👌

[@puiazaidarhzauva9928]

What an awesome tribute to his son. Making me wanna cry , I just wanted to watch some food videos!

[@Tasty_masty]

😊😍👌👌

[@gayle2020]

Oh my. I live in Bklyn. I'll have to take a trip for a Chenzo13. Great way to keep his memory alive. Looks sooooo good.

[@Melza01]

Beautiful meaning to Chenzo 13.

[@Tasty_masty]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@richflav2184]

I remember my grandfather taken me here as a kid. He was a long shore man and lived in this deli from the beginning. Awesome 👍 to see it's still around. God bless 🙏

[@aR0ttenBANANA]

Damn, did not expect the story to be such a tear-jerker.

[@jerryoshea3116]

What a great Sandwich Rest..Great food,service,atmosphere& a History..And the story behind the 'Chenzo 13' Sandwich stopped me in my Tracks. And i live in Vegas& we have plenty of good Rest ( not the ones on the Strip) but all over..But not with this kind of vibe...If i was living close by i would most def be a regular..

[@ScottCallahanSr]

God bless this family..A fathers love is forever.

[@jmiller7412]

Making the burrata - I mean that's next level. What a great shop!

[@chefbaby62]

Glad to you see you guys are still serving up your delicious sandwiches!!

[@Tasty_masty]

🥰😊😍😍😍

[@jdavilla]

I could never understand how anyone in NYC goes to Blimpie’s or Subway when you have bodegas and delis that make some of the greatest sandwiches and heros

[@dextersmithbsee]

The food looks spectacular. I wish I could try some. I live in Georgia and don't travel so much these days not for health reasons but other reasons. Your family are handsome and beautiful people. RIP to your very handsome son. 🙏🙏

[@lambdaweaponscache5394]

Beautiful tribute to Chenzo, and an amazing shop, hope i can visit one day. Also the Sopranos cast going there, just seals the deal!

[@wedoebe]

Love this story! Sandwich’s look absolutely delicious!!😋

[@tiger1701]

This is what makes NY special. Love in every sandwich 😊

[@kevinouimettelynch9178]

Had a pleasure of meeting Larry at a Boston feast.. we will be heading down soon.. looks fabulous

[@tass9329]

Still miss you guys when you were on 21 street in Manhattan, I used to live right around the corner, Used to talk to Nicky all the time

[@davidzimmerman3778]

One of the best hero shops in New York!! Don’t forget the gravy

[@filmcrew3531]

Man I wish the delivered to Vancouver! Cheers for Chenzo! I can't wait to do a food tour of New York and this is my number one. First place after the plane lands at Guardia or JFK....

[@knarkarbengt]

0:21 that coffee looked waaaay too translucent

[@CaptainSalazar69]

Bro it’s a sandwich shop, not a five star coffee shop. They’ve been in business for decades serving that coffee so take it easy. Mr barista scumbag

[@jordanwiseman9544]

Might be tea🤷‍♂️

[@adityaparkhe5121]

The boys reference 😱😱😱

[@larryj1048]

I'm starting a to-do list for a future visit to New York, and these are the kind of places that seem essential.

[@oscarafre1764]

4:27 is that Rob in the gray shirt? Wow. Haven’t seen since groovy land. Little colombia says what’s up bro!!!!! God bless.

[@162RMW]

Amici Deli, which closed about 15-20 years ago, in Carroll Gardens made the best Italian-American style sandwiches I ever ate.

[@clarkdavis6690]

This is a beautiful story of how you move forward after suffering an unimaginable loss.

[@lerfione196]

I served Larry in an Italian restaurant in Aruba , FANTASTIC person, I wish him the best

[@christophermurphy121]

I've being going there since i was a kid, the potato and egg is my favorite, I had no idea of the loss of his son. I would definitely order the chenzo 13 as a tribute to Larry and family.

[@dyna_zero0385]

It’s a shame not many old school places like this left in NYC and over here in North Jersey. Most of the owners kids & family don’t want to own or do this type of work. I’m 56 and when I was growing up in my city ( Paterson NJ ) there was so many deli’s , Italian and German bakery’s you could spit and hit one , now you have to hunt for one.

[@Bapesta94]

A classic Red Hook staple 💯

[@Tasty_masty]

😊😍👌

[@iec7587]

Steak pizzialo, roast pork brocc rabe provolone, roast beef eggplant mozz. The bread they use is great. Twice a summer I will drive 45 min early Sat morning from LI to pick up sandwiches and meet the fam at the beach

[@ld7038]

beautiful story. makes me miss New York.

[@philf_]

I miss Defonte’s Gramercy location on 21st and 2nd. It closed when the building was getting demolished for new construction. My heart sank hearing of the passing of the older son.

[@adrianromo5111]

thanks now i’m in the break room crying my heart out

[@Rockesb888]

As someone’s who’s been here, have to vouch this place is incredible. Roast pork special my goto.

[@DonnellPrince]

The best of the best. Old school Classic spot. I’ll have the red hook special with out bacon.

[@VAI1997]

Vincenzo (Vinny) worked with my dad for many years as a operating engineer in his building, My dad knows this family very very well and when Vinny left he was really broken up about it, RIP Vin I never had the pleasure of meeting you I only I have heard the stories, bet your working overtime up there

[@fay4296]

Great upload. Makes you appreciate food and being alive.

[@AYDTMAN72]

I miss this place! The best sandwiches in Brooklyn! I must get back and visit!

[@chaseeisha-u8o]

the best sandwiches ever after seeing guy Ferrys Show I had to travel from Kentucky all the way to NYC for a sandwich it was awesome

[@jpriem3805]

You gotta love these people.

[@axiomist4488]

Wow ! I never knew about that place in all the years I lived in NY. Next time I go to NY, I'm going straight there !

[@letrice2892]

Ppl don't know about it unless they watch pieces like this and the location isnt one where there's a lot of foot traffic it's just a few blocks away from the highway as well so unless you're driving directly in the neighborhood u will not see it . I live right down the block from it and it also closes early as well

[@jernigan007]

Look at the shoes @ 5:50. all walks of life. love it.

[@teresajoymarquez9375]

I will surely eat to this place when I'm in NYC

[@Tasty_masty]

😊🥰😍😍😍

[@andrewciko8313]

This its the Kinda joint, every neighborhood in every city across the country should have. Places like this don't exist to often, but when you find them, they usually stick in your memory banks forever, & you visit them whenever possible. The kind place you would go out of your way to visit & get a Sandwich I have never been here, but I can say, that if I lived anywhere near this place I would be a Regular customer forever.

[@lo8013]

Absolutely beautiful story. So so lovely. ❤

[@mdeponte182]

Wishing you guys continued success

[@Tjlewis214]

What a beautiful story about the Chenzo 13...

[@alexrekzu4079]

L O O K I N G GOOD bro I get how it gets tough but the deli is worth feeding the community and being a staple

[@heinerjurgens5362]

Was on my list while I visited New York. Sadly hadn’t the opportunity to try it. Next time.

[@cizia69]

Salt of the earth! RIP Cenzo.

[@Eurofilth]

I can watch Brooklyn Delis for hours

[@Tasty_masty]

😊👌

[@thais1780]

This was beautiful! I can't wait to try it! All heart ❤

[@rejoice.rebirth]

Such a blessing to have! ❤

[@asepsisaficionado7376]

Most Restaurants: No time for chit-chat! Defonte's: The faster you work the more time you have for chit-chat.

[@_007B]

So many choices! You could come every day for over a month and never get the same thing twice! Plus, every sandwich is A1 quality

[@giggly117]

Why did i just cry 😢 these sandwiches look so delicious but damn. His father looks so heartbroken

[@mjejce]

Their roast pork and broccoli rabe sandwich is out of this world.

[@MacTh3Kn1fe]

What just happened? I’m weeping and crying and it’s a food video. Yeesh. Mad props to the Demontes and to the Times reporter who realized what the story really was.

[@batman113100]

Beautiful story

[@Tasty_masty]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@Tasty_masty]

👌😍😊😊

[@masdieck939]

The way the waves crashed after he talked about his brother hit so hard

[@AndyB718]

Brooklyn summed up in a neighborhood, Deli..💪🇺🇸

[@lc8361]

What a vibe man.