A New York, in Nassau Street, in the Financial District, there is an Italian sandwich shop very popular and appreciated for the goodness of its products. Is called "Pisillo Italian sandwiches", And it is now a regular destination not only for New Yorkers, who entertain themselves there every day for a lunch, but also for Italian tourists visiting the "Big Apple". Its owner, Carmelo Nazzaro, 47, is originally from Montesarchio (Benevento) and runs this successful business together with his wife, Antonella Silvio, from Sant'Agata de 'Goti (Benevento).
Pisillo's sandwiches on Nassau Street: the story
Carmelo came to America in 2008, with Antonella and their little girl, to pursue the dream he had cultivated since childhood: to live in New York. He, who has always worked in catering, initially decides to open a pizzeria, but business does not go as he expected and he is soon forced to close. His determination and the desire to succeed, however, do not allow him to give up in the face of the first failure. Precisely for this reason, having set aside the activity of pizza maker, he opens an import-export company with the aim of importing and distributing Italian products of quality. Destiny awaits him on Nassau Street, in the Manhattan neighborhood not far from Wall Street, home to the famous New York Stock Exchange.
One day, while making the usual round of deliveries, he realizes that, right in the financial district, he is renting a small place. Immediately, a brilliant idea flashes into his mind: it is the opportunity he has been waiting for for a long time, the right place to start his sandwich shop. Carmelo doesn't think twice, quickly notes the phone number that is indicated on the sign and contacts the owner.
Pisillo, a bizarre name that has distant roots
It is November 2012. Carmelo and his wife begin this new adventure, which will prove to be a source of great satisfaction. He gives the place a bizarre name which - he reveals - is the appellation assigned to his family in the town. In small towns in southern Italy, like yours, it is in fact customary to attribute to each one a nickname. With this nickname, moreover, Carmelo wants to remember the “Pisillo” bar, which his grandfather opened in 1936, in Montesarchio. The beginning is not the best, but soon, Americans begin to get used to his mega sandwiches and to like them.
Made with homemade bread (which is delivered three times a day, always fresh and fragrant, by four Italian bakeries) and with excellent products, all rigorously imported from Italy, they are a real treat for the palate. The goodness of his sandwiches begins to attract the attention of journalists, televisions, famous people, including the mayor Bill De Blasio, whose maternal grandfather was a native of Sant'Agata de 'Goti.
Pisillo's sandwiches, dedicated to thirty-five Italian cities
Those who choose to stop and eat at Carmelo's restaurant can order well thirty five different sandwiches, dedicated to the main Italian cities. These are very “rich” sandwiches, filled with top quality ingredients. To name a few, the “Genoa sandwich”, which contains tuna, artichokes, black olives, rocket and extra virgin olive oil; or the “Parma sandwich”, stuffed with ham (strictly from Parma), smoked mozzarella, dried tomatoes, rocket and the inevitable extra virgin olive oil. In short, at “Pisillo”, taste and quality are at home.
On the walls of the restaurant, numerous newspaper articles tell of a success that, over the years, has grown more and more. One photo stands out among all: it is the one autographed by Robert De Niro, which testifies to the usual presence, in the venue, of actors and personalities from the world of cinema. Recently, next to the sandwich shop, just 55 square meters, Carmelo bought a coffee shop, where they serve themselves espresso coffee and Italian sweets. In this short chat, he talks about his successful business and invites us to go to Manhattan to taste his delicious sandwiches.
Carmelo, what are different about your sandwiches?
"The quality first of all, combined with the freshness of the bread and the love we put into making them. Our sandwich, compared to the classic one of any delicatessen, is enriched with local ingredients, such as dried tomatoes, artichokes, roasted peppers. In conclusion, only the best Italian gastronomic products ».
Is there one in particular that you feel you can recommend to those who decide to come to your sandwich shop?
“There isn't one better than the other. They are all very good, even if made with different products. I recommend all thirty-five. Come and visit us, I am waiting for you with open arms».
Who goes to your club?
«My place is frequented by everyone: from the worker to the professional, from the broker who works on Wall Street, to the housewife, passing through actors and politicians. Of famous people, in addition to the mayor De Blasio, who comes every week, there have so far been Bruce Willis, Gwyneth Paltrow and my myth, Robert DeNiro. I always remember it with great pleasure. He is crazy about the “Parma sandwich” ».
What do you miss about Italy?
“I always miss everything: family, social relations. I miss the village bar, where I met friends to talk about football, politics and daily vicissitudes».
