Fiore’s House of Quality in Hoboken. Photo by Chris Gennone
My latest stop on my quest to find the perfect sandwich in Jersey is Fiore’s House of Quality in Hoboken. Known for its housemade mozzarella and sandwich specials, this longtime Italian deli has been a Hoboken staple since 1913.
Let’s start off by saying there is no set menu at Fiore’s, and there’s usually a line out the door at lunchtime—even before the age of social distancing. Instead, the deli offers daily sandwich specials which include Virginia ham on Mondays; corned beef on Tuesdays; sausage with red sauce on Wednesdays; roast beef, mozzarella and gravy on Thursdays and Saturdays; and Italian tuna on Fridays. But the friendly and accommodating staff can basically make whatever you want when you visit.
I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews of the roast beef, so one recent Saturday I grabbed my mask and braved the rain to wait for the roast beef special. The sandwich features roast beef with mozzarella and an au jus gravy ladled on top. I also added some hot peppers on top. I raced home and quickly unwrapped my to-go sandwich, gravy spilling all over the table and took a long first bite. I was blown away. The roast beef tasted like prime rib. Smoky, juicy and peppery, it had a strong but not overpowering touch of garlic. The housemade mozzarella was soft and creamy, the perfect addition to blend all the sandwich’s components together. And my addition of the hot peppers gave the sandwich a complimentary kick. But let’s not forget about the gravy. It was so rich and full of flavor, I’d drink it straight out of a cup. The bread was nothing extraordinary, but served the sandwich well. Near perfection.
Roast beef sandwich, left, and the Italian at Fiore’s. Photos by Chris Gennone
Roast Beef Sandwich:
Bread: 4.7/5
Filling: 5/5
Toppings: 5/5
Overall: 4.9
Next, I tried a classic Italian sandwich with roasted red peppers. The Italian features peppered ham, hot soppressata, mozzarella and added peppers. Although nowhere near as great as the roast beef, this was one of the best Italian sandwiches I’ve ever had. The meat tasted so incredibly fresh that I could taste all the salty and smoky elements without it overpowering the experience. Again, the mozzarella was amazing and brought all the flavors together. The roasted peppers were great, but I wish I had added the hot peppers instead. The bread had a light chew that was pleasant and served the sandwich well.
Italian Sandwich:
Bread: 4.5/5
Filling: 5/5
Toppings: 4.8/5
Overall: 4.7
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Fiore’s and I can say the hype is real. I’m going to think about that roast beef, mozzarella and gravy all day long. The amount of great Italian delis in New Jersey is endless, but there’s a select few that rise to the top like Fiore’s. The sandwiches here are simply constructed but packed with the freshest ingredients and it shows. I don’t know if there will ever be a sandwich as good as the roast beef. I’m already planning my next visit and dying to try the other specials. But Saturdays at Fiore’s might just be my new tradition.
Overall Between Two Slices Score: 4.9/5
Fiore’s House of Quality, 414 Adams Street, Hoboken; 201-659-1655. Open Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm.