Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
You Have One Week Left To Get A Defonte's Sandwich In Manhattan
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published May 17, 2014
Modified May 18, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published May 17, 2014
Modified May 18, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Manhattanites were blessed with their very own version of beloved Brooklyn sandwich institution Defonte's back in 2009, when an outpost opened in Gramercy to much excitement. But alas, the Big Island's fried eggplant and roast beef heroes were not meant to be, and the shop's closing up next week. Mark another victory down for Subway's ersatz yoga mat bread, folks.
Eater reported yesterday that the Manhattan Defonte's will shutter for good on Saturday, May 24th. We confirmed with an employee this morning, who tells us the outpost is closing due to the sale of its building on 3rd Avenue between 20th and 21st Street.
The Brooklyn iteration, which has been hanging around Red Hook since 1922, is thankfully still going strong. But the loss of those massive, old school subs will still be a big one for Gramercy. If you have time to grab something meaty and stuffed with their fresh mozzarella before Saturday's curtain call, your stomach will owe you big time.
Tagged
brooklyn
defonte's
gramercy
manhattan
red hook
RIP
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .