What Now reported back in August 2023 on plans for Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co.—then a purely delivery- and takeout-based business—to open its first brick-and-mortar sandwich shop. It has now been successfully operating for some time at 1331 W Cass Street, and it’s building on that success with an expansion to a second location.
For its second sandwich shop, Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. is headed to St. Pete’s Grand Central District, where submitted plan review documents show a new Cousin Vinny’s in the works at 2063 Central Ave.
Cousin Vinny’s menu features sandwiches served on Schiaccata (Tuscan-style bread that’s thinner, crispier and baked in-house until golden… the Cousin to focaccia), including the Uncle Jun (capicola, arugula, housemade pecorino cream, housemade red pesto) and the Tomei & Mozz (housemade fresh mozzarella, tomato, arugula, housemade pesto, aioli).
But the restaurant is best known for its cutlet sandwiches, served on Italian bread lightly toasted with garlic spread. There’s the Tony Piccante (Hand Breaded Chicken Cutlet, House Made Spicy Vodka Sauce, Roasted Red Peppers, Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese), That Louie (Hand Breaded Chicken Cutlet, House Made Pesto Aioli, Roasted Red Peppers, Mozzarella Cheese).
As coverage by St. Pete Rising notes, Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. was recently recommended by the Michelin Guide. It’s expected to open in the Central Avenue location, previously home to Little Philly, “by the end of 2026.”
You can keep up with all things Cousin Vinny’s by following @cousinvinnyssandwichco on Instagram.
