Subs, Hoagies, Grinders — They’re All Coming to Cole at Lou’s Italian

The team behind Rosenberg’s Bagels and Famous Original J’s Pizza is opening its latest endeavor, an Italian delicatessen and market, on December 11. Lou’s Italian Specialties is now finishing construction in the Cole neighborhood at 3357 Downing Street. Though there won’t be any seats inside the corner deli come December, customers will be able to take away with them pastas and salads, meats and cheeses by the pound, Italian grocery goods, and hot and cold sub sandwiches.

See also hoagies or grinders, depending on where you’re coming from.

“You don’t know what you have till it’s gone,” says owner Joshua Pollack of the East Coast’s delis and markets. Pollack jokes about his restaurant group Bridge & Tunnel’s “New Yorking of Denver.” But so far, he has replicated New York water locally to make Denver bagels and pizza dough. Now Lou’s brings a Jersey tradition to the Mile High City.

“We’ve got these shared memories of what this thing’s supposed to be,” adds Nick Severino, Bridge & Tunnel’s culinary director. He and executive chef Jason Somers are both New Jersey natives who want to pay homage to the family-owned Italian delis and markets they grew up with. On the subs, they’ll be piling generous cold cuts, house-made mozarella, shredded lettuce, roasted peppers, and more between loaves from City Bakery. Pasta dishes will be topped in scratch-made marinara, vodka, and clam sauces. On the grocery side, customers will be encouraged to try olive oils, vinegars, tapenades, and charcuterie cut to order.

While some imported specialty items will carry higher price tags, the menu as a whole should provide “a lot of food for your buck,” according to Pollack. “It doesn’t get any more grandma Severino than this,” Nick, the culinary director, added, dishing out a practice plate of his family recipe, spaghetti and meatballs.

• New York-Style Pizzas Debut in Five Points [EDEN]
• Previous Rosenberg’s Bagels Coverage [EDEN]