NYC Italian Eats: The Old Guard

Ferdinando's Focacceria

With all the hype surrounding the use of offal in contemporary cooking, it's well worth the trek over the BQE to seek out the vastedda sandwich (yes, that would be cow spleen) at Ferdinando's Focacceria. A casual lunch counter joint run by Sicilians, Ferdinando's has remained much the same since the longshoremen days of yore—it's been open for over a hundred years. If the spleen sandwich doesn't appeal, try the pannelle, deep-fried chickpea-flour fritters served on a toasty roll with a smear of fresh ricotta.

Ferdinando's Focacceria
151 Union St. at Hicks St.
718-855-1545