sandwich shop Archives - Good Food St. Louis

Cyndy and I await our lunch order while sitting beneath the newly painted sign with wording from the original Amighetti’s Bakery. The sign is a historic reminder of the original bakery opened more than a 100 years ago on Daggett Avenue on The Hill about a mile from today’s location.

Fans Munch on Memories

Yes, Amaghetti’s is back on the Hill. Like Elwood Blues, the owner, Anthony Favazza, has “put the band back together again.” The new version of the sandwich shop is hoppin’ with its many happy fans.

Cyndy and I arrived midday when the line stretched nearly to the door. The number of customers ebbed and flowed during the lunch hour; we just happened to get there when there was a dozen people in the que.

Today Amighetti’s is housed in the old Hanneke building, that was once a paint and hardware store. The sleek, new interior gives a hat tip to a bygone era with the barn board sculptures on the ceiling and exposed ductwork.

“The Joy of Piggin’ Out”

The vintage look is enhanced by the large sign on one wall noting the origins of the Italian bakery. (See opening photo.) It was the wife of the original owner, Marge Amaghetti, who brought the business to life with her classy sandwich served on homemade bread.

Today Amaghetti’s has a sister site in Rock Hill. A sweet touch was added to The Hill location by the addition of Hank’s Bakery. The beloved bakery has its own entrance at the side of the building and a swoon-worthy collection of their celebrated cheesecakes.

A Menu to Drool Over

The menu is stocked with all the old-time favorites, including pastas, soups, salads, sides, and appetizers. The shop also offers children’s meals, DIY sandwich construction, and a half and half lunch combo.

Cyndy ordered the Marge Armaghetti original with salami, ham, and roast beef with the usual vegetable fillings and Special Sauce. I chose the half and half—vegetarian sandwich with the small side salad. (Though I did borrow a slice of salami from Cyndy to get a hint of Marge’s original.)

Handsomely crafted tables are branded with the Amighetti logo and the year in which the original bakery was opened on Daggett. Their three sauces: Italian, Creamy, and Signature Special, are available for your salad or for purchase by the bottle.

This Vegetable Sandwich (above) is one of the 8 Special Sandwich built around Marge Amighetti’s original from the 60’s. The iconic sandwich comes on fresh baked bread with sliced ham, roast beef, salami, and provel nestled in lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and pepperoncini. All that and the Special Sauce to boot. Seven hot sandwiches are on the menu, including this one pictured below.

I asked the guy at the adjoining table if I could photograph his Chicken Parm sandwich. (When I do this sort of thing, it always embarasses Cyndy, who pretends like she doesn’t know me. But over time, she’s getting used to my shenanigans.)

Check It Out!

Reading the menu, there’s a feeling that you’d like to try it all. Since that’s impossible during one lunch stop, the need for further trips is imperative. Put this one on your dance card.

Take home a cheesecake (or just a few slices) from the large selection at Hank’s Cheesecakes located in the same building. Gluten-free and sugar-free choices available.

The old Hanneke’s Hardware panels on the corner of the building were refurbished and reinstalled. On the side of the building, a new sandwich advertisement (painted to look old) adds to the vintage decor.

Amighetti’s on the Hill: 5390 Southwest Avenue at the intersection of Southwest and Macklind Open: Every day 9a-4p. Rock Hill location: 9631 Manchester Rd. Open 9a-8p and 4am for delivery, pickup, and patio dining. City Park Soccer Stadium: 2100 Market St. Open during stadium events.

“You say the place is named Fozzie’s? Hey, that’s my name, too!!”

Now I’ve heard of dress emporiums and hair emporiums, but never a sandwich emporium. I had to see for myself if Fozzie’s Sandwich Emporium in Richmond Heights (another in Des Peres) was, indeed, worthy of such a splendid designation.

My son, Russ, and I stopped there for lunch recently. It’s the proverbial hole in the wall with about 3 or 4 tables, so we opted for a take-out order. Pondering the menu board was a bit mind boggling at first. But when the girl behind the counter saw my glazed-over look, she handed me a printed menu.

A Menu of Classics and Originals

There were 8 different hot dog selections, 7 hamburger choices, and a dozen or more classic sandwiches, plus salads, spreads, shakes and sundaes, even “wee-wiches” for the kids. They also do vegetarian and vegan fare. And deliver. . . and cater.

The menu board can be a bit overwhelming. Ask for the printed menu that’s much easier to navigate.

With some help from the sweet young lady behind the counter, I finally settled on the Eggplant Parm—a warm, crispy eggplant sandwich with mozzarella, spinach and tomato sauce on a hoagie. Russ got the Reuben with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and thousand island on marble rye.

Meanwhile, Back at My Kitchen

Once back at my condo—where Russ was doing some repair work to my cabinet door—we swapped sandwich halves. So I sampled two Fozzie classics. Both were exceptionally tasty, well crafted and of emporium quality. (What’s more, my cabinet door swings perfectly now.)

Moral of Story: Feed the help well.

The Eggplant Parm Sandwich before I poured on the tomato sauce.

The Classic Reuben on marble rye

The decor and signage may be a bit uninspired, but the kitchen is turning out classy comfort food, which is why Food & Wine named Fozzie’s among the Top 20 Sandwich Shops in the nation.

Fozzie’s Sandwich Emporium: 1170 S. Big Bend Blvd/ in Richmond Heights (also 11656 Manchester Rd. in Des Peres). Open: Sun-Sat 11a-9p. Carryout, delivery, and catering.