I’m going to try to keep this first little blog short and sweet.  I wanted to try a new restaurant downtown so I went to Fresco Italian Sandwich Shoppe.  It’s kind of hidden and strangely attached to Marsh Supermarket (the old O’malia’s).  There is no “enter here” sign on the door and it’s one of the automatic grocery style big glass doors that you slide yourself.  Don’t worry, it’s not heavy.

There’s nothing dynamic about the milieu and that’s just hunky dunky for me but one thing for sure is that it smelled like that of a non-chemically non-processed food establishment.  There are several sandwiches to choose from and a come in a couple different sizes.  I got two 4 inch sanswiches, one was the most purchased Italian Beef.  This sandwich I typically shy away from because I feel of all sandwiches in this fine universe it is the most under seasoned and disappointing.  The second was the Italian Sausage.  The pork comes freshly ground, they season and cook it.  I also got a side of Giardiniera for like 50 cent.

I was hungry and crushed both sandwiches in like 3 and a half minutes.  I do remember them being really good.  Both were seasoned well, hot, buns toasted, not skimpy, cheese was fully melted and not burnt, and they got me excited for another trip to try some of the other menu items.  I did like how you can get the Italian beef dipped in one of three ways; light, medium or heavy… I went for the heavy dip!  Good choice. 

So here we have a family owned bidness of the Crooks (that’s really the last name) Mother, Father, and Two Sons who are doing it right.  In a location that I know is very busy nonetheless.  They season, cook and slice the beef for the Italian, make the sausage, make the meatballs, make the tomato sauce, make the soup and I’m guessing from what I had it’s all great (remember, first timer so I haven’t tried it all… yet) I don’t believe they have a website or I would include it.  It’s totally worth it so the next time you’re at the Marsh downtown, take a look around and check it out.

320 N New Jersey St

(317) 423-2420