The story
For fifty years, G&R Deli has been a family-run Bronx institution, turning out Italian sandwiches on fresh homemade mozzarella and meatballs from the owner’s grandmother’s recipe. Jack’s Dining Room calls the atmosphere “Heaven on the weekends” and recommends coming with a big group to tackle the massive, inventive menu. Stalwarts like The Godfather and The King of New York anchor the lineup, alongside the Spicy Salami with Imported Bara and the Joe Rogan Sandwich.
The deli’s viral Italian ice cream cone sandwich—described by Jack’s Dining Room as “phenomenal”—offers a playful twist on the classic sub, packing homemade mozzarella and those legendary meatballs into a cone shape. Whether you’re stopping by for imported meats or the Summer Wind, G&R Deli remains a must-visit for some of the best Italian sandwiches in the city.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2024.
What diners say
Synthesized from 35 Google reviews · tap an aspect for the detail
G&R Deli is a beloved Bronx institution known for its outstanding Italian sandwiches, especially the viral 'Italian Ice Cream Cone' (a meatball-stuffed hero). Diners consistently praise the generous portions, fresh ingredients, and friendly, welcoming staff. While a few visitors note that the menu is focused and the wait can be long during peak hours, the overwhelming sentiment is that the food is well worth the trip.
Italian Ice Cream Cone
The meatball-stuffed hero, often called the Italian Ice Cream Cone, is the star of the menu. Reviewers describe it as delicious, with perfect proportions of meatballs, cheese, and sauce, and many say it lives up to the viral hype. It's a must-try for first-timers and a reason many return.
Sandwiches and Hot Food
Beyond the cone, the deli offers a variety of Italian sandwiches, including chicken cutlet, eggplant rollatini, and the Godfather hero. Customers rave about the fresh, high-quality ingredients and generous portions. The Joe Rogan chicken cutlet sandwich is also highlighted as a favorite.
Service and Atmosphere
The staff is frequently described as friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. Even during busy times, the service is efficient, and the team goes out of their way to make customers feel appreciated. The casual, no-frills vibe adds to the charm.
Worth the Trip
Many customers travel from other states or across the city specifically to visit G&R Deli. Despite long drives or waits, they consistently find the food and experience rewarding. The deli has become a destination for food lovers seeking authentic Italian flavors.
Menu Focus
A few reviewers note that the menu is somewhat limited and repetitive, with a focus on classic Italian items. While this works well for the deli's loyal following, some wish for more variety, such as grilled chicken options. However, most appreciate the specialization.
Wait Times and Parking
During peak hours, there can be a line and a wait for food, but customers generally find it moves quickly. Parking in the area is noted as a bit challenging, but most agree the food is worth the minor inconvenience.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 10 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers consistently praise the fresh meatballs, calling them the star of the menu, and the overall vibe is one of hearty, no-fuss comfort food.
“This is the most innovative sandwich I've ever seen. It's a hollowed-out seeded bun stuffed with meatballs, topped with fresh homemade mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The meatball is so soft and juicy, and the fresh mozzarella on top is insane. The bread soaks up that homemade marinara perfectly. I think that's the best meatball I've ever had in my life. It makes sense — it's the owner's grandma's recipe, passed down for two generations. Regardless of where you live, you need to come to G&R and try these meatballs.”
“I have never seen a sandwich like this in my entire life. The owner invented this sandwich using her Italian Grandma's 50-year-old meatball recipe. They're also homemaking their mozzarella every day — it was some of the creamiest mozzarella I've ever seen. So she takes their bread, rips out the inside, then literally stuffs in the meatballs. I don't care who you are, the Italian ice cream cone could sound crazy, but you put your eyes on this puppy, you're sold. The only problem is how the hell do you eat it? Oh my God, this is phenomenal. It's one of the best meatballs I've ever had in my life — so soft and juicy. When I first heard about the Italian ice cream cone, I was like, there's no way that's good, but once you get into it, you're like, wait a minute, maybe we should make this a thing. They said the best part is this bottom bite where all the juices and the sauce and cheese kind of like drips down to the bottom.”
What creators say
4 creators have covered G&R Deli. Most active: Jack's Dining Room
Shorts 1
Videos 3
G&R Deli is the best Italian deli in New York, a family-owned spot run by the same family for 50 years, serving massive, innovative sandwiches with fresh homemade mozzarella and meatballs made from the owner's grandma's recipe.
Dishes mentioned
Italian Ice Cream Cone Sandwich
This is the most innovative sandwich I've ever seen. It's a hollowed-out seeded bun stuffed with meatballs, topped with fresh homemade mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The meatball is so soft and juicy, and the fresh mozzarella on top is insane. The bread soaks up that homemade marinara perfectly. I think that's the best meatball I've ever had in my life. It makes sense — it's the owner's grandma's recipe, passed down for two generations. Regardless of where you live, you need to come to G&R and try these meatballs.
Summer Wind Sandwich
This is the Summer Wind sandwich — chicken cutlet, fresh mozzarella, and a tomato salad on top. I watched them make the cutlets fresh and fry them to order. There's so much chicken — they put five full chicken cutlets on this one sandwich. The chicken is seasoned really well, perfect thickness — not too thin and chewy. Their homemade mozzarella is just unfair — thick, warm, salty, rich. Easily the best mozzarella I've ever had. The tomato salad gives it a nice summer punch. And the bread is perfect — holds everything together so well.
The Godfather
This is the Godfather — all imported Italian cold cuts, bruto, superar, morel, sundried peppers imported from Italy, and fresh mozzarella. It's a massive sandwich.
The King of New York
This is the King of New York — it has arugula, rut (an Italian imported ham), imported Primo Salo cheese, olives, arugula, hot pepper, and some Calabrian chili peppers. It's a 4-pound sandwich of meat and cheese. Don't mess with the King.
Joe Rogan Sandwich
This is supposedly Joe Rogan's favorite sandwich in New York. It's a chicken cutlet sandwich with fresh mozzarella. I need to see if Joe knows what he's talking about with food.
- Jack's Dining RoomLoved
Trying the viral Italian ice cream cone sandwich 📍G&R Deli, Bronx #sandwich #italiansandwich · @ 0:00
G&R Deli in the Bronx serves a viral Italian ice cream cone sandwich with homemade mozzarella and meatballs using a 50-year-old family recipe, and it's phenomenal.
Dishes mentioned
Italian Ice Cream Cone Sandwich
I have never seen a sandwich like this in my entire life. The owner invented this sandwich using her Italian Grandma's 50-year-old meatball recipe. They're also homemaking their mozzarella every day — it was some of the creamiest mozzarella I've ever seen. So she takes their bread, rips out the inside, then literally stuffs in the meatballs. I don't care who you are, the Italian ice cream cone could sound crazy, but you put your eyes on this puppy, you're sold. The only problem is how the hell do you eat it? Oh my God, this is phenomenal. It's one of the best meatballs I've ever had in my life — so soft and juicy. When I first heard about the Italian ice cream cone, I was like, there's no way that's good, but once you get into it, you're like, wait a minute, maybe we should make this a thing. They said the best part is this bottom bite where all the juices and the sauce and cheese kind of like drips down to the bottom.
- Jack's Dining RoomLoved
Trying the best Italian sandwiches in NYC 📍G&R Deli, Bronx #italianfood #sandwich #nyc #nycfood · @ 0:10
G&R Deli in the Bronx serves massive, incredible Italian sandwiches with homemade mozzarella and imported meats — a must-visit with a big group.
Dishes mentioned
The Godfather Sandwich
This sandwich has homemade mozzarella stuffed between five different Italian meats, and the mozzarella is so rich and creamy. Then you hit it with a balsamic glaze that adds a little sweetness and sundried peppers. I would probably make sweet love to this sandwich — I really would. I feel weird, I'm getting emotional, I feel like tears coming. The whole sandwich is $40, but I think it would actually feed 10 people.
Spicy Salami with Imported Bara
This sandwich has spicy salami with imported bara, hit with fig jam and hot honey on top. It weighs over 4 pounds. I didn't think I was going to like this one as much because I'm not a huge fan of spicy salami, but I was wrong. You get the little spiciness from the salami and then the sweetness of the fig jam and then the wave of creaminess from the bara that just takes over.
