Growing up in the Woodbridge area, also known as the "Little Italy of Vaughan," Erika Albanese loves to share the story behind Sandwich Co. Famous Italian Sandwiches, a Barrie destination for those who crave authentic Italian sandwiches.
“My dad has been in the food industry all his life and wanted to bring his Italian heritage and years in the business to Barrie,” says Albanese, who manages the local restaurant, which is owned by her father, Frank Nardi.
Born from the dream of two lifelong friends, Sandwich Co. Famous Italian Sandwiches serves up a true Italian experience passed down through many generations.
“The head chef and my dad have taken their years of Italian cooking and brought it to Sandwich Co. to share traditional recipes and love for Italian food," she says.
The restaurant, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, is home to traditional Italian-American cuisine focused on execution and high-quality ingredients.
“All of our menu items come from homemade recipes that both our chef and owner have grown up learning, cooking and eating," says Albanese.
Home-style cooking and recipes tracing the owner and chef’s Italian ancestry in Calabria are unique to Sandwich Co.
“We have recipes that date over 100 years that we use to make our homemade Italian sauce, and also certain ingredients that put us apart from our competitors," she says.
Albanese believes there are not many authentic Italian restaurants in Barrie when it comes to serving such distinctive Italian sandwiches.
“Bringing Sandwich Co. to Barrie was something we wanted to do, so you could have a local restaurant serving authentic, homemade Italian sandwiches," she says. "And you can taste the difference!”
Albanese tells BarrieToday she pretty much appreciates all of the restaurant’s offerings, but made a special mention of the veal sandwich.
“Trust me when I say I'm drooling when I eat it,” she says, adding this feeling brings back memories of enjoying meals at her Italian family household. “We wanted to bring this huge, delicious, saucy sandwich to Barrie.”
The family-owned restaurant also prides itself on socializing with rather than attending to customers.
“Customer are always greeted with friendly faces like they are a part of our family. We talk loudly and are always smiling," she says.
Albanese says her family wants Sandwich Co. to make a mark in Barrie as a favourite local restaurant.
“Once you try our sandwiches, you taste the family recipes and traditions that live on in our food," she says.
Sandwich Co., located in south-end Barrie at 131 Saunders Rd., is open for reservations, walk-ins, takeout orders and catering. For online reservations and orders, visit www.sandwichco.ca.
