Hoboken’s Best Sandwich: Fiore’s Roast Beef, Mozz & Gravy Hero

Posted on 08. Sep, 2009 in Dining

When you’re looking for the best mozzarella in Hoboken, it’s a mandatory requirement to buy from Fiore’s Deli. Fiore’s has been making fresh mozz for more than 96 years, perfecting the timing when the curd is ready to be stretch and shaped into those fancy thick braids. But this review is not just about their famous mozzarella. This is about Thursdays and Saturdays. This is about double-parked cars and long lines of hungry Hobokenites and outsiders who travel by and far to get a bite of one of the best sandwiches of all the mile square. It’s about an insanely addicting sandwich that has even landed a guest appearance in a scene from the popular TV show, 30 Rock. Yes, my friends. I’m talking about Fiore’s famous Roast Beef, Fresh Mozzarella and Gravy Hero. Just saying the name of the sandwich brings back that amazing taste. Yum!

HOBOKEN GUY’S BREAKDOWN

Name of Sandwich: Roast Beef, Mozz and Gravy Hero
Name of Deli: Fiore’s Deli
Description: Homemade juicy and tender roast beef topped with the best homemade mozzarella in Hoboken, and drizzled with the most addicting gravy made from the roast beef drippings all on a super-long freshly baked Italian hero
Price: $11.00 for a 14 inch hero – CASH ONLY
Only served on: Thursdays and Saturdays (Get there early before they run out!)

Being a Fiore’s deli virgin, I documented my experience so that those new to buying this sandwich will know what they can expect, as this isn’t any ordinary Quiznos or Subway. This is a traditional Italian deli at its best!

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On Thursdays and Saturdays, expect to see lines out the door by 12:00pm to 1:30pm. Waiting times can be up to 30 minutes max. And in 2 hours or less, the sandwich could be sold out so make sure you get in line early to up your chances of even getting this sandwich!

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Not knowing what to do next, I followed the people in front of me, as they hand-picked their own loaf of Italian bread from the bread cabinet. It’s Fiore’s Deli etiquette to choose your bread before you reach the counter and make your sandwich order.

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These loaves of bread are baked fresh everyday from a nearby bakery and are delicious, crispy and super long that you can share half with a friend and still get full. I’m a big eater so I ended up inhaling the entire 14-inch hero.

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You see that mozz above? That’s the best fresh mozzarella you’ll ever find and it’s going on your sandwich. It’s packed with flavor, perfect texture and moisture. Before getting into creating the sandwich, they gave me a little slice to taste the mozz. My taste buds were in heaven that entire day.

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After slicing the loaf of bread that you hand-picked, they dress your loaf with generous thick slices of some of the fresh mozz.

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Then it was time for some roast beef slicin’! The roast beef is homemade fresh every time they offer this sandwich. From the picture above, you can literally see the moist and juicy texture. Perfection.

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And for the crowning moment and most essential part of this sandwich — the gravy! Your sandwich is taken to a special back section of the kitchen where the ceremonial gravy pouring commences. This is no ordinary gravy! This is the most delicious gravy ever to have landed in one’s mouth made from the rounds of roast beef with added flavors from the caramelized onions. Serious Eats even claims that “the gravy is so good you could drink it!” So true!

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Check out the close-up on the final sandwich creation. Look at that juicy masterpiece!

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The deli itself is small and there is no seating area, so everything ordered is taken to go. They neatly package up the sandwich and even make sure to double wrap it to avoid gravy leakage.

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I hurried back home and like a little boy during Christmass Day, I excitedly unwrapped the sandwich and noticed that there was so much gravy it started bleeding through the wrapper. But that’s okay! The more gravy the better! And despite the gravy spillage, the bread still maintained it’s crispy texture.

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Till this day, the taste of this sandwich is unforgettable. And I count the days till the next Thursday and Saturday.

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The moist roast beef offers a blast of different flavors enhanced from the fresh mozzarella cheese and sweet and salty taste of the gravy. Each bite was a treat in and of itself, releasing a rush of gravy drippings to your plate. Forget the napkins. At this point, this is where heavy finger licking occurs.

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The gravy was so good, I wish they made a bubblegum with that flavor. It’s the flavors of the gravy that really make this sandwich taste great. Without it, this sandwich would just feel naked.

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