“This can’t be for one person,” you think. Then you try to pick it up with both hands. Then you realize you might need to call backup.

Look, we don’t mess around when it comes to sandwich sizes. When customers leave reviews saying “MASSIVE sandwich – one would be enough for two people,” they’re not exaggerating. We’ve been making these giant sandwiches for years, and honestly? We’re kinda proud of how ridiculous they are.

However, here’s the thing – people often ask us about sizes before they place an order. So let’s clear this up once and for all.

Our Sandwiches Are Legitimately Huge

OK, let’s talk numbers. Our Italian sandwich? It’s easily 10-12 inches long and packed so high you can barely get your mouth around it. We’re talking about a sandwich that weighs nearly a pound when fully loaded.

Don’t believe us? Check out what our customers say. One DoorDash reviewer wrote: “MASSIVE sandwich. One would be enough for two people.” Another Tripadvisor review said: “Sandwich is so big, two people can definitely share it.” And here’s our favorite: “Two Italian subs were enough to feed us for days!!”

We use fresh bread from our bakery downstairs – not those wimpy hoagie rolls you get at chain places. Our bread is substantial. It’s got weight to it. And then we pile on the meats and cheese until it looks like a small mountain. We’re talking about at least 1/4 pound of cold cuts per sandwich. Plus cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and all the fixings. Browse our full sandwich menu to see all the ways we can overload your plate.

Why We Make Them So Big

Here’s the truth: we make big sandwiches because that’s how Frank’s family always did it back in Italy. When you’re feeding hardworking people, you don’t skimp on portions. You make sure they go home satisfied.

Plus, we use real ingredients. Not the paper-thin “deli meat” you get at grocery stores. Our prosciutto, mortadella, and salami are thick-cut and imported from Italy. Our mozzarella is made fresh. When you use quality stuff like this, a little goes a long way. But we don’t use just a little – we use a lot.

And honestly? Value matters. You’re paying around $12-15 for one of our sandwiches. That might sound like a lot until you realize you’re getting two meals out of it. Split it with a friend, save half for dinner, or embrace the challenge and try to finish the whole thing. Check out our daily specials, where you might find even more generous portions.

How to Handle a Bricco Sandwich

First-time customers always make the same mistake. They order a sandwich, sit down, and try to eat it like a normal person—big mistake.

Here’s what works: Cut it in half immediately. Don’t even try to tackle the whole thing at once. Use both hands. Accept that you’re going to make a mess. Lean over your plate and embrace the chaos.

If you’re eating here with someone else, consider ordering one sandwich and splitting it. Seriously. We’ve watched countless couples order two sandwiches, take three bites each, and then stare at the mountain of food left on their plates. Learn from their mistakes.

And if you’re getting takeout? Grab some napkins. Lots of napkins. Also, maybe warn whoever you’re eating with that you’re about to unleash a beast on their kitchen table. Visit our bakery section to grab some fresh bread if you want to make a second sandwich with your leftovers.

What Size Makes Sense for Kids (Spoiler: Not Our Regular Size)

Parents, listen up. Please do NOT order a full-size sandwich for your kid unless they’re a linebacker.

We’ve seen 8-year-olds get defeated by our sandwiches. One kid started crying because he couldn’t finish his Italian sub and felt bad about wasting food. His mom ended up eating 3/4 of it.

Here’s what works better: order one adult sandwich and split it between two kids. Or ask us to make a half-sandwich. We’re not officially advertising this, but if you explain you’re feeding a small human, we can work something out. We’ve kids too – we understand.

The Panino is slightly smaller than our Italian sandwich, making it a better option for younger eaters. But even then, don’t be surprised if they need help finishing it. These aren’t Happy Meal sizes we’re dealing with here.

How Our Sizes Compare to Other North End Delis

Look, we’re not trying to start a fight with our neighbors. However, since people often ask how we compare to Monica’s, Salumeria Italiana, and other North End spots.

Most places in the neighborhood make good-sized sandwiches. But we’re probably on the bigger end of the scale. Monica makes a solid sandwich, but ours are thicker. Salumeria Italiana does excellent work, but their portions are more reasonable, which is to say, smaller than ours.

Why the difference? We’re a little really into portions. Always have been. Frank grew up in a family where running out of food was a crime. So we err on the side of “too much” instead of “not enough.”

Plus, we’re not trying to maximize profit by skimping on ingredients. We’d rather have customers leave saying, “Holy cow, that was huge!” than “I’m still hungry.” It’s worked out pretty well for us so far.

Ready to tackle one of our monster sandwiches? Call us at (617) 248-9629 to place your order, or see the magic happen at 11 Board Alley. Bring your appetite – you’re gonna need it.