Popular Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe to Open in Oxford

A local grinder shop that has been voted the best in Connecticut for more than a decade is opening a franchise on Route 67 in Oxford.

, which has five locations throughout the area and is known for popularizing grinder sandwiches in Greater Waterbury since 1922, will open in the site of the former Quizno’s Sub Shop in the Oxford Depot at 84 Oxford Road, or Route 67, sometime in the spring.

“Oxford is a growing community in a great location,” said Jeff Labrador, who plans to open the store at the beginning of June. “There are a lot of jobs moving into the area and it’s the fastest growing community in Connecticut. It’s a good fit for us.”

Labrador, 28, has worked for the family owned Nardelli’s in Naugatuck for almost two years. A Watertown native and graduate of the University of Connecticut, Labrador said he was working in information technology when he finished school, but his heart wasn’t in it. Since he was a teenager, he’s loved the Nardelli’s pastrami grinder and figured he’d merge his passion for food into a career.

For a while, most of the work in the Oxford restaurant will be completed by current Nardelli’s employees. But Labrador said, over time, the franchise is expected to bring about 10-12 jobs to Oxford.

Many Oxford residents have already heard the Nardelli’s name as the business has been voted best grinder shop in Connecticut for 11 straight years in Connecticut Magazine's Best of Connecticut edition, and Nardelli's has been featured on national television on the Travel Channel’s Sandwich Paradise segment.

“Certainly, the Nardelli’s name is well-known, but we have such a good product that I think we could put it out on the street and it would sell on its own because it’s that good,” he said.

Franchiser Marco Nardelli said the menu has offerings for every appetite. Those include large grinders such as the baked stuffed pastrami, the Italian combo, the “Nardelli’s-style" turkey club, sausage and peppers and more. Nardelli's also offers several other foods such as fresh salads, lasagna, stuffed egglplant and gourmet dessert slices, such as large canollis and cheesecake burritos.

The business also offers catering for corporate functions, family parties or any occasion, Marco Nardelli said, adding that he’s excited about expanding the business into Oxford, which will be the fifth franchise and seventh store. Stores are currently located in Waterbury, which has two locations, Naugatuck, Southbury and Danbury. Another franchise is set to open soon in Middletown, and Oxford will be the seventh store.

“Jeff (Labrador) poses the work ethic and desire to succeed; we are extremely happy to have Jeff as part of our family of franchisees,” Nardelli said. “We feel that Oxford will be very receptive to Nardelli’s. The people of Oxford take pride in their community as we do in our food.”

Editor's Note: To read about the history of Nardelli's and/or to see the menu, locations, etc., visit the Nardelli's website at http://www.nardellis.com/.