Finding The Perfect Sandwich: Tutto Fresco

From the outside, Tutto Fresco looks more like a house than it does a deli.  A garden of flowers and vegetables decorate the main sidewalk and gives you a sense that you are perhaps walking into your grandmother's kitchen rather than a deli.  

The "homemade" touch of the place is evident, thanks to owner Roseann Cammarota's efforts.  Tutto Fresco, which is strictly take-out only, makes good Italian-style sandwiches and others such as Eggplant Parmigiana, Corned Beef Rubens and Sausage Peppers & Onions.   As of a recent count, there are nearly forty different subs to choose from, so there is something for even the pickiest of eaters. If sandwiches aren't your thing, the delicatessen sells a variety of salads and soups.

Fresh ingredients are used, too.  For instance, the bread used to make the sandwiches is baked locally by Calandra's Bakery. Also, Ms. Cammarota's mozzarella cheese is homemade (it can be purchased by the pound for those who would like to use it in their own recipes; it's often cited as one of the best in the area).

Ms. Cammarota and her staff are very warm and they work hard to ensure that the food is prepared in a timely matter.  During the school year, it's not unusual to see Livingston High School seniors stop in for a bite and the place is usually packed with local businesspeople.

Recently, I decided to treat my mother, Michele, to lunch. We were in a bit of a hurry so the sandwich preparation time was especially important to us.

What We Thought:

Phil:

I had a hard time deciding which sandwich to order. At first I considered getting a cold sub, perhaps the Turkey, Salami and Provolone sub. However, I changed my mind and went with the Grilled Balsamic Chicken sandwich.

I was very satisfied with my choice. The bread on the sandwich was a bit crisp, but fresh. The chicken was warm, tender and very flavorful. It was marinated with just the right amount of balsamic vinegar, which gave it a sweet taste.

What surprised me the most was the price of the sandwich. I would have expected to pay around $10 or so for my sandwich, given the fact that it was made using fresh chicken cutlets and mozzarella cheese. Instead, I walked out only paying $7.65, which I thought was a very fair price.

The price was right, but was Tutto Fresco a viable option for those who need to grab their food as quickly as we needed to? Despite the fact that there was another customer ahead of us placing an order, we spent no more than five minutes inside the store, which I consider very reasonable.

A potential minus: Tutto Fresco's sandwiches seem a little smaller than those of the competition.  But it doesn't matter because these sandwiches really packed a punch and I found them to be very filling.

Michele:

I ordered a Balsamic Portabella Mushrooms sandwich with arugula, fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers.

The portabella mushrooms were juicy.  Every bit of mushroom felt as if it was infused with just enough balsamic vinegar.

I liked the fact that the hearty bread soaked up the vinegar without becoming soggy. The roasted peppers were tender, yet firm, and added a fresh taste to the sandwich.

The sandwich was so filling that I had to wrap-up half of it for another meal. I would definitely return to Tutto Fresco in the future and would like to try one of their soups.

Overall:

We both agreed that Tutto Fresco scored high marks in just about every category from friendly service to quality freshly prepared foods.

Our next stop for a great sandwich will bring us to Mitola Deli on Route 10.

Tutto Fresco

Address: 36 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston

Phone: (973) 422-1299

Date Reviewed: June 16th, 2010

*This story has been updated.