1330 S. Federal Hwy. in Deerfield Beach – 954-596-5330 – hwhatsubdelifl.com @whatsub_dinein_takeout
What’Sub owner Antonio Spadaro always delivers outstanding Italian inspired sandwiches. [Photos by Malcolm McClintock/New Pelican]
By Malcolm McClintock | New Pelican Writer
Tucked into a bustling Deerfield Beach plaza, What’Sub is not your average sandwich shop. For the past three years, this Italian-inspired trattoria has transformed the art of the panino into something worthy of pilgrimage. With a Roman heart and a Floridian soul, What’Sub crafts each sandwich like a culinary sonnet – layered, expressive, and craveable.
Owner Antonio Spadaro, a native of Rome, brings with him a pedigree that stretches across continents. “My family has always been in the restaurant business,” he says with a wide, welcoming smile. “In Italy, New York, now here in Florida – it’s all about quality and tradition.” That philosophy can be tasted in every bite.
The menu is a vibrant tapestry of hot and cold offerings, each one built with reverence for authentic Italian ingredients. Imported meats and cheeses are sliced fresh, lovingly arranged atop freshly baked bread, and paired with house-made sauces.
With or without seeds, the Buto sandwich overflows with tender chicken, pink sauce, pesto, and fresh mozzarella.
Among the hot options, the Milano is an irresistible standout – a golden-fried chicken cutlet topped with lettuce, tomato and fresh mozzarella, finished with extra virgin olive oil. The über-popular Buto, with its velvety pink sauce and pesto, delivers a punch of comfort and sophistication. Purists will find solace in the classic Meatball Parm, while the Philly Cheesesteak, elevated with mushrooms and provolone, bridges Italian bravado with American indulgence.
But it’s the Porchetta that stands out. Slices of slow-roasted Italian pork are nestled among peppery arugula and bathed in a silky salsa rosa. It’s rustic yet refined, evoking the essence of Italy with every decadent mouthful.
“We come here at least once a week for the Porchetta sandwich with focaccia bread,” say Felicita Pastor and Kimberly Gallardo. “It is truly amazing.”
The cold sandwiches are just as compelling. The Turkey with Style full of roasted peppers and Provolone is a masterclass of balance – smoky, sweet, and sharp. The Mediterranean Tuna surprises with bright herbs, diced tomato, red onion and mayo. Meanwhile, the S-Class Benz lives up to its name: a fully loaded powerhouse of prosciutto di Parma, capicollo, mortadella, hot soppressata, provolone, and roasted peppers. It’s less a sandwich, more an edible monument to Italian deli artistry.
Salads, homemade lasagna, tender broccoli rabe and a mouthwatering eggplant tower round out the offerings. The dessert case, stocked daily by Spadaro’s nearby bakery, tempts even the fullest diners with sweet finales like cannoli and tantalizing pastries.
Everything is made to order, in Italian no less. The energy behind the counter is cheerful, familial – like stepping into a Roman trattoria during Sunday lunch. Add in free parking, catering for events of all sizes, delivery across all major platforms, and complimentary coffee for dine-in guests, and you’ve got a no-brainer destination.
The popular Arthur Ave sandwich features 24-month aged imported Italian prosciutto with stracciatella cheese, arugula, and sundried tomato.
“We sell over 600 sandwiches most days,” says Spadaro. It’s not hard to see why. With additional locations in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, and new outposts planned in Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, and Miami, What’Sub is poised to become a beloved institution far beyond Deerfield.
For those who believe a sandwich can – and should – be elevated to an art form, What’Sub is your gallery. Buon appetito!
What’Sub is a New Pelican advertiser.