Caroline Knightly, Senior Editor
@knightlycourant
While there are many delicious places to eat around New Canaan, without a doubt the best places to get any kind of sandwich are CT Sandwich and Tony’s Deli. Although there are endless possibilities to choose off the menu, it comes down to which menu would you rather look at? I can say with full confidence, I would always prefer a fresh, warm Mississippi from Tony’s Deli. But, others may disagree.
Both sandwich shops face each other for the showdown on Pine Street, each hoping to reel in customers, especially high school teens. Everyday from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Tony’s Deli is on top of their game, meeting all their customers needs, one sandwich at a time. After talking with Tony’s employee, junior Sebastian Mauleon, it’s evident that Tony’s rules the morning hours of New Canaan. “It all comes down to marketing and customer relationships,” he said. “We’ve always gotten more business in the morning than CT Sandwich.”
The constant chatter of the ‘New Canaan’ from Tony’s is always topic of discussion, as well as their other hit sandwiches such as the ‘Pippi Longstocking’, the ‘Mississippi’ and the ‘Meat Lover’. All of these sandwiches come with their special twist, whether it be hot sauce, curly fries, or cones mixed in the middle which makes Tony’s the place to be for the perfect breakfast sandwich.
Although CT Sandwich holds first place for the best salads and grilled cheeses, does it make a difference that Tony’s is open for an hour longer every day? To be blunt, yes, it does. Although it’s only 30 minutes extra in the morning and evening, for Tony’s customers, that’s more leeway to grab a quick breakfast or early dinner on the go. Also on Saturdays, Tony’s opens at 7 and closes at 4, while CT Sandwich opens at 8 and closes at 4. Although it’s only a one hour difference, early morning risers, such as children on their way to soccer practice, or parents being their child’s chauffeur for the weekend, would enjoy a breakfast sandwich on those busy Saturdays earlier rather than later.
The continuous topic of discussion among students always involves what period they’re going to go off to grab their lunch for the day. The repetitive “meet me by the trophies” leads into making it to Tony’s and back in the short 48 minute period that they have. Although some enjoy the outside seating at CT Sandwich, it’s evident that the variation of the Tony’s menu lures them in day after day. After talking with 40 students, 30 confessed their love for Tony’s, mentioning how welcoming the staff is, while the other 10 students admitted their appreciation of the top quality sandwiches and salads at CT Sandwich.
It’s without a doubt that the teen population would generally find themselves enjoying a bacon egg and cheese outside on the Zumbach-Tony’s patio during any hour of the day. I know for a fact that when I have a little extra cash on me and I’m hungry after a long eight hour school day, I make my way to Tony’s Deli to satisfy my tastebuds like no other.
