Unearth The Voyage
Fort Lauderdale has no shortage of places to grab a quick bite, but every now and then a spot comes along that makes the whole city stop and pay attention. This particular deli has been quietly building a loyal following for decades, drawing in everyone from cruise ship workers to convention-goers to out-of-state visitors who stumble in and never quite get over it.
The sandwiches are loaded, the bread is fresh, and the staff has a flair for the dramatic that you genuinely have to see to believe. Stick around, because this place is worth every word.
A Fort Lauderdale Institution Worth Finding
Tucked into the back side of a shopping plaza at 1495 SE 17th St D, Fort Lauderdale, Laspada’s Original Hoagies on 17th Street is the kind of place that rewards people who actually look around instead of just sticking to the main drag.
It sits close enough to the port and several nearby hotels that it catches a steady mix of locals, sailors, and tourists, yet it never feels like a tourist trap. The prices are budget-friendly, the hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Fifty Years of Sandwich History
Some restaurants chase trends, and some restaurants simply outlast them. Laspada’s has been a Florida staple for roughly 50 years, operating across three locations in the Fort Lauderdale area, including spots in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Davie alongside this 17th Street outpost.
That kind of longevity does not happen by accident. It takes a consistent product, a loyal customer base, and a willingness to keep doing the basics better than almost everyone else around you.
The hoagie formula here has not needed a dramatic reinvention because it was right from the start.
Regulars who grew up eating Laspada’s subs now bring their own kids in, passing down the tradition like a family recipe. Five decades in the sandwich business is a serious achievement in any city, but in a competitive food market like Fort Lauderdale, it borders on legendary.
The Flying Meat Trick That Steals the Show
Before your sandwich even comes together, there is a moment that stops first-timers cold. The meat cutters at Laspada’s have a signature move where they toss freshly sliced deli meat through the air, letting it land directly on the bread waiting below the counter.
It looks like a party trick, but there is real skill behind it. The toss helps the meat land loosely and evenly, which actually improves the texture of every bite rather than having it pressed flat from stacking.
It is theatrical and practical at the same time, which is a rare combination in any kitchen.
Watching the whole process unfold while you stand in line is genuinely entertaining, and it gives you confidence that the people making your food take real pride in what they do. That flying meat moment is something most visitors talk about long after they leave.
Fresh Bread That Actually Means Something
Bread can make or break a sandwich, and at Laspada’s, the rolls arrive fresh and hold up to a generous amount of filling without falling apart halfway through your meal. The crust has just enough structure to keep everything in place, while the inside stays soft enough to not fight back with every bite.
Some visitors have noted they would appreciate more bread variety beyond the classic white roll, but what the shop does offer, it does very well. The bread is baked to complement the fillings rather than compete with them, which is exactly the right approach for a hoagie-focused menu.
There is also a clever finishing move where the sandwich makers wrap three slices of meat around the outside of the completed hoagie, which helps everything hold together and makes the presentation noticeably cleaner than most deli sandwiches you will find anywhere else in South Florida.
The Italian Special and Why Regulars Order It
The Italian Special is the kind of sandwich that makes you rethink every mediocre sub you have ever settled for. Layers of cured meats, provolone, fresh vegetables, and the house sauce come together in a way that feels both classic and carefully considered.
Ordering it with everything, including the hot peppers, pickles, and sweet peppers, is the move that most regulars recommend without hesitation. The sweet peppers in particular add a bright, slightly tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the meat and cheese in a way that keeps each bite interesting all the way to the end.
A large Italian Special is genuinely enough for two people to split and still feel satisfied, which makes the price feel like an outright bargain. For anyone visiting from out of state, this is the sandwich that tends to haunt them on the flight home and send them searching for something comparable.
Ham, Turkey, and the Art of the Add-On
Not everyone wants a towering Italian cold cut situation, and the ham and turkey hoagie proves that simpler combinations can be just as satisfying. The meat is sliced fresh to order, which means you are never getting pre-cut protein that has been sitting around losing moisture and flavor since the morning rush.
Adding bacon for a small upcharge is one of those quiet upgrades that does not get enough attention. It brings a smoky, salty layer to the sandwich that complements the milder flavors of the ham and turkey without overpowering either one.
The overall build follows the same Laspada’s philosophy of generous portions and quality ingredients kept in good balance. Visitors who prefer a lighter but still filling option tend to land on this combination and leave happy.
The customization options make it easy to tailor the sandwich exactly to your preferences without any fuss at the counter.
Portions That Take the Word Large Seriously
Laspada’s does not play games with portion sizes. A large hoagie here is genuinely large, the kind of large where the staff will offer to wrap half of it for you to take away, and that is not just a courtesy, it is practical advice you should probably follow.
The value proposition is real. Getting a large and splitting it with someone is a common strategy among regulars, and both people tend to walk away full.
For solo diners staying at a nearby hotel, the second half makes a perfectly good dinner a few hours later, which effectively means one purchase covers two meals.
The generous portioning is one of the most consistent things visitors mention, regardless of which sandwich they order. There is something genuinely satisfying about a restaurant that does not make you feel like you have to order three things just to feel like you ate a real meal.
The Staff and the Energy Behind the Counter
The team working the counter at the 17th Street location brings a noticeable energy to the place. Making sandwiches for a steady stream of customers during peak hours is demanding work, and the staff here keeps pace without the quality slipping or the mood souring.
The friendliness is not forced or performative. Workers take the time to walk first-timers through the ordering process, explain what comes standard on each sandwich, and make sure everyone leaves with exactly what they wanted.
That kind of attentiveness makes a real difference, especially for visitors who have never navigated a hoagie shop with this many options.
A party of 11 once rolled in after a long day and reported that the team handled the whole group efficiently and cheerfully, which is no small feat for any counter-service operation. The people behind the counter are a genuine part of what makes this place worth returning to.
Toppings and Add-Ons That Elevate Every Bite
The toppings at Laspada’s are where a good sandwich becomes a great one, and the selection gives you enough options to customize without making the process feel overwhelming. Hot peppers, sweet peppers, pickles, onions, tomatoes, and lettuce are all available, and the staff is generous with each one.
The sweet peppers deserve special attention because they do something that most toppings do not. They add a mild heat and a slight tang that wakes up the entire sandwich, particularly on the Italian-style hoagies where the flavors are already rich and layered.
Experienced visitors consistently recommend getting everything on there, and it is hard to argue with that logic once you taste the result. The balance of salty, tangy, and fresh across the finished sandwich is the kind of thing that makes you wonder why you ever ordered a plain sub anywhere else.
Load it up and do not look back.
