WhatSub Deli: Real Italian food concealed in a Shell gas station close to Coral Springs
West Boca, Florida – WhatSub Deli, which is housed within a Mobil station in West Boca, just up the road from Coconut Creek, is the place to go if you’re looking for a premium Italian sandwich in South Florida.
Owned by Anthony Spadaro, a native of Rome, Italy, and a former New Yorker who now lives in Westchester County, this modest establishment serves as a satellite for their beloved Deerfield Beach café and deli.
It perfectly captures the idea of fine roadside dining in Italy, known as “Autogrill.”
Although Los Bocados, which has since moved, was the first gas station restaurant in the neighborhood, WhatSub is at the forefront of a burgeoning trend that aims to keep expenses low by delivering elegant dining experiences in small spaces.
To provide fresh focaccia bread to all of his sites every day, Spadaro recently launched a bakery in Deerfield Beach in addition to his original WhatSub store (and StreatArt Cafe). To make his subs, he also purchases more than 200 crusty torpedo rolls, both seeded and unseeded, every day from a nearby baker.
In contrast to the bulky, commercial deli-meat subs from Jersey Mike’s, LaSpada’s, or Publix, WhatSub emphasizes artisanal cheeses, imported Italian salumi, and portion control.
Even “The Boar’s Head,” their so-called “basic” ham and cheese, uses prosciutto cotto rather than premade slices.
The Duro (fried or sautéed chicken cutlet dressed in a pink sauce with pecorino), the Parm (chicken or eggplant with fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce), and the Porchetta (Italian roast pork with arugula and salsa rossa) are further hot sandwich classics. Try the Roman Empire, which has a sweet-and-savory balance and includes pecorino cheese, Swiss cheese, capicolla, spianata Romana (salami), and a drizzle of honey, for a milder cold choice.
The Fully Loaded (prosciutto di Parma, capicola, mortadella, hot soppressata, and provolone, with an optional chicken cutlet) and the Milano (crispy fried chicken cutlet and fresh mozzarella) are still popular choices if you’re craving tried-and-true classics. If you prefer something greener, the traditional Caesar salad, which is produced with homemade dressing, demonstrates that the salads here are equally well-prepared.
WhatSub Deli is worth the quick drive for residents of Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, and Parkland.
WHATSUB DELI is at 23223 SR-7/RT 441 inside the Mobil Station in West Boca.
