Game day needs real food, not just chips and dip. At Bricco Salumeria in Boston’s North End, we see customers every weekend grabbing our Italian sandwiches for their game day spreads. Here’s why they work so well and how to serve them right.

Why Italian Sandwiches Win

Our customers make these hours ahead, and they actually get better. The bread soaks up flavors from the meats and cheese. No reheating required. No mess to clean up during the game.

Take our Italian sandwich: mortadella, Genova salami, sopressata, sharp provolone with lettuce, tomato, onion, and hot peppers. At $15.95, it feeds people properly, not like those tiny appetizers that leave everyone hungry by halftime.

Our Panino (prosciutto, homemade mozzarella, tomato, fresh basil) stays together even when someone’s jumping around celebrating a touchdown. Good construction matters.

Which Meats Actually Satisfy

Mortadella surprises first-timers. Ours comes with pistachios and has this rich, smooth taste that’s nothing like regular bologna. We use it in our specialty focaccia sandwich ($17.95) with stracciatella, pear jam, and crushed pistachios.

Prosciutto delivers that delicate, salty-sweet combination people remember. Paper-thin slices that took months to cure. Simple but special.

Genova salami brings the bite people expect from Italian meat. Layer it with sopressata and mortadella for complexity that keeps evolving as you eat.

Game Day Prep Tips

Build sandwiches the right way. We spread pesto on one side, layer the meats so they don’t slide, add cheese, then add the vegetables. This prevents sogginess and balances flavors.

Make them early. Many customers pick up orders on Saturday night for Sunday games. Everything except tomatoes can go on ahead of time. Wrap tightly, refrigerate, and add fresh stuff before serving.

Our specialty sandwiches improve overnight. The porchetta (pork, parmigiano, fig jam, arugula) tastes incredible after the fig jam soaks into the bread.

What Goes With Them

Keep sides simple. Our antipasto misto platter ($79.95 half tray) has artichokes, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, roasted peppers, and sharp provolone. People nibble during commercials.

Pasta salad feeds crowds easily. We make ours with farfalle, buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Light enough that nobody gets sleepy in the fourth quarter.

For Bigger Groups

Check our sandwich menu for individual orders or call (617) 248-9629 for catering. We handle prep so you can focus on hosting.

Mini-panini platters start at $60.95 for a dozen. Perfect for game day because everyone gets their own sandwich without the hassle of cutting and serving.

Your friends will remember the game where you served authentic Italian sandwiches from the North End. Good food makes better memories than store-bought snacks ever will.