Visit to Tony & Pete’s (129 East Third)
This sandwich shop opened in 2022, but this was our first visit. I decided I wanted to try it when I heard that their business was growing so fast that they had rented the shop next door. They’ll bake bread and do some of their prep work and their catering work there while customers continue to order and eat at the original shop.
I ordered their Stretto’s spicy salami sandwich featuring salami, parmesan, arugula, spicy spread and Calabrian honey. My wife chose Turkey Pesto, which has turkey, mozzarella, house pesto, roasted red peppers and arugula. The sandwiches were delicious and large – more than we could finish. We decided that next time we’d split one sandwich and then walk to Val’s Bakery for a dessert.
There’s quite a bit of seating inside, but we chose the patio and watched a steady stream of customers enter. In addition to the sandwiches, they have salads and a few grocery items.
I read that Tony & Pete’s was started by a husband-and-wife team that met at Wright State. Like many of us they worked part-time during college. By the time they graduated they had moved up to food service management positions and decided to stay in that industry. They worked in well-known restaurants in Cincinnati, in New York and finally in Chicago. When the pandemic hit they moved back to Dayton and started planning their own business here.
The business has been growing rapidly, and Tony & Pete’s says they may soon be expanding to new locations.
Kathleen Roll & Justin Simmons worked in Dayton bars and restaurants for many years before moving off to Chicago, but always knew they wanted to return to Dayton. So when they recently moved back to Dayton they came with a plan to open their own business. They decided to open a store featuring a thoughtful collection of grocery staples & really good old school sandwiches in the downtown area.
THE TONY: Turkey, Roast Beef, American Cheese, Lots of Shredduce, Roasted Red Peppers, Duke’s Mayo, and T&P Vinaigrette.
