In Search of the Perfect Italian Sub (and How I Fell for DeCicco’s All Over Again)
Some people go to the grocery store, grab what they need, and go home.
I go to the grocery store, touch the bread, smell the air, and come home with a story.
Today’s story started at Whole Foods, where I was shopping for my senior client. A modified Italian sub was on the menu, which meant I needed the perfect sub roll — something soft enough to bite into but sturdy enough to hold its ground. Whole Foods, as good as it is for many things, doesn’t exactly scream “classic deli sub bread.” Still, it’s my client’s preferred store, so I make it work.
That’s when I came across a bag of Cristal Sandwich Rolls. The bag looked fancy, and when I touched it, the bread felt soft but with a crusty edge — intriguing. I threw it in the cart, figuring it might be a good substitute for my client’s sandwiches.
Back at their home, I opened the bag and whoa. The smell hit me first — that fresh, yeasty, bakery scent that stops you mid-thought. It was screaming, “Eat me.” I didn’t, of course (at least not yet), but the whole time I was unpacking groceries, I couldn’t stop thinking about that bread.
The Drive Home (and the Bread That Wouldn’t Leave My Mind)
On the drive home, it was just me, the road, and the thought of that bread.
You know it’s good when something as simple as a sandwich roll follows you all the way back to your car.
So I decided to make my own Italian sub — the kind of sandwich that satisfies your soul after a long day of cooking for everyone else. My first stop? DeCicco’s — my hands-down favorite supermarket in Westchester.
My Love Affair with DeCicco’s
I first discovered DeCicco’s back in 2018, right around the time I launched my personal chef business. To be honest, that period of my life was a bit of a blur — part midlife reset, part leap of faith, and part “let’s just see what happens.” I was freelancing for different companies, picking up shifts wherever I could, and even doing Instacart deliveries on the side to fill in the gaps.
And honestly? Instacart wasn’t bad back then. In 2018, it had just expanded into Westchester County, so there weren’t many shoppers yet — meaning you could actually make good money if you hustled. One of my deliveries led me to DeCicco & Sons in Harrison, and from that day, I was hooked.
They remodeled a few years ago, and the store is stunning now — bright, modern, but still cozy. You can tell it’s a family-run market that keeps evolving with its community.
DeCicco’s is one of those rare grocery stores that feels like home — compact, but packed with gems. Imported cheeses, local small-batch sauces, wines that surprise you, and olive oils that taste like they came straight from Tuscany. Even their hot food bar can throw down — and as someone who cooks all day but often forgets to feed herself, that bar has saved me more times than I can count.
Over the years, I’ve wandered into just about every DeCicco’s in Westchester and Putnam — Pelham, Larchmont, Ardsley, Armonk, Brewster, Harrison, Millwood, Scarsdale (their newest in 2024), and now Sleepy Hollow, which recently opened and is fully embracing the season with a little Headless Horseman flair.
And for my Connecticut friends — good news — a brand-new DeCicco’s is coming to Greenwich, CT, continuing the family’s thoughtful expansion beyond county lines.
It’s been beautiful to watch this family business grow from its Bronx roots in 1973 into something that feels like a Westchester (and now Fairfield County!) institution.
Back to the Sub
So there I was, standing at the DeCicco’s deli counter, grabbing my favorite cold cuts and daydreaming about how that Cristal roll was about to become my new obsession.
I picked up everything I needed — freshly sliced meats, provolone, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, my go-to red wine vinegar, and my favorite olive oil (both, conveniently, DeCicco’s finds).
Back in my kitchen, I assembled what might be my best Italian sub yet: soft, airy bread with a hint of crisp, layers of salty meats, melty cheese, a drizzle of that punchy vinegar, and just enough olive oil to make it glisten.
It was simple, but perfect. And it reminded me of how something as small as a sandwich can take you on a trip — through your work, your history, and all the little moments that made you fall in love with food in the first place.
🫒 A Quick Shout-Out to My Pantry MVPs
Before we get to the sandwich, I have to give a quick shout-out to two pantry staples that make everything taste better:
L’Estornell Red Wine Vinegar – bright, tangy, and just the right amount of punch without being sharp. I use it on salads, roasted veggies, and especially Italian subs.
Iliada Extra Virgin Olive Oil – a smooth, Greek olive oil with a clean, grassy flavor and just enough peppery finish to make anything shine. It’s the kind of oil you drizzle proudly, not hide in the pan.
Both can be found at DeCicco’s — and they’re not only staples in my kitchen, but also in yours whenever I come over to cook for your dinner parties. 😉
Chef Jaime’s Italian Sub (a personal favorite)
Serves 1 very happy chef
Ingredients:
1 Cristal sandwich roll (or your favorite crusty Italian sub bread)
3 slices provolone cheese
4 slices soppressata
3 slices ham
3 slices salami
Shredded iceberg lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
3–4 slices pepperoncini (for a little tang and mild heat)
1 tbsp L’Estornell Red Wine Vinegar
1 tbsp Iliada Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp mayonnaise (for viscosity and balance)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Slice the roll and layer the meats and cheese.
Lightly toast the sandwich until the edges are golden and the cheese starts to melt.
Open it back up, spread with mayo, and add lettuce, tomato, and pepperoncini.
Drizzle with red wine vinegar and olive oil.
Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Press it all together and enjoy immediately — preferably standing over the counter like a true Italian sub lover.
Maybe this post started as a story about bread, but really, it’s about the little reminders that keep me connected to my craft — the ones that pop up on a random grocery run and remind me just how far I’ve come.
And maybe that’s part of what I love most about DeCicco’s — no matter where they open next, whether it’s Sleepy Hollow or Greenwich, CT, it still feels local, familiar, and rooted in community. Kind of like how this chef journey of mine started — small, personal, and full of heart.
So here’s to soft bread, good vinegar, and the grocery stores that helped shape my journey — from Instacart runs to full-service dinners across Westchester (and beyond).
Maybe this post started as a story about bread, but it reminded me of why I love what I do — bringing creativity, nostalgia, and comfort to every table. If you enjoyed this story, check out As If! Behind the Scenes of My Clueless-Themed Party or Learn more about my Weekly Meal Prep Services in Westchester – My process for helping families eat fresh, delicious meals every week without the stress.
7 Halstead Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Cristal Sandwich Roll
Made with 100% Natural Ingredients, sourdough, and olive Oil. Crispy Crust and a honeycomb, light, Airy Crumb.
All my veggies ready for assembly
All the cold Subs, ready to be wrapped
right out the oven, Yum
1 Hot for me now, 3 cold for my families lunch
When Chefs eat, it’s not fancy. Just Satisfying
L’Estornell
bright, tangy, and just the right amount of punch without being sharp
Iliada
a smooth, Greek olive oil with a clean, grassy flavor and just enough peppery finish to make anything shine.
My Greek Salad
with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, Barrel Aged feta, mixed greens, and olives, dressed with L’Estornell red wine vinegar and Iliada olive oil
My Seared tuna Niçoise salad
with green beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Quail eggs, and mixed greens, drizzled with L’Estornell red wine vinegar and Iliada olive oil
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