I was accompanied by a fellow sandwich devotee and my visual composer for the day. Standing outside in the bright January sun and feeling a little under the weather with a cold, I placed my hopes in the healing properties of pork. While waiting in line for about twenty minutes, we snacked on free slices of mole and spicy paprika salami and negotiated which sandwiches to order and split. Luckily we were on the same wavelength: Leonetta’s Meatball with mozzarella ($8.50) and Muffo (cotto salami, hot sopressata salami, provolone, and olive tapenade; $9.75).

Time to dig in! Photography by Decktor.

I started with my half of the meatball sub; it was served hot, dripping with sweet tomato sauce, with sautéed peppers and onions on top and melty mozzarella underneath. The roll was just crispy enough on the outside, substantial enough to hold up to the drippy goodness, yet soft enough to eat easily. Pork meatballs broke apart softly with each bite. I found it all a lovely savory balance, the homey flavors hitting the spot.

NOM! Photography by Decktor.

I devoured my portion, licking sauce from my fingers. It completely filled me up, so I took my half Muffo back home for dinner with a cup of tomato soup. I crisped it in the toaster oven, partially melting the cheese. I really dug the olive tapenade and the overall flavor, but wished for an extra helping of salami! I’m still getting up the guts to try their other hot sandwiches: Porchetta (their tribute to pork; looks insane!) and Grilled Lamb. Always good to save something for the next trip.