![Artichoke parm from Mama Louisa’s Hero Shoppe](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretnyc.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/18162025/New-Project-7-1024x683.jpg)
Chicken parm, meatball parm, eggplant parm–they’re all versions of the Italian parm sandwiches that are staples in us New Yorkers’ diets. But there’s another kind of parm sandwich familiar to Brooklynites, and though up until now an air of mystery has surrounded the hero, we’re wondering if its main character moment is on the horizon.
What we’re talking about is the artichoke parm, which can be found at Mama Louisa’s Hero Shoppe.
While the exact contents of the $9 hero remains a mystery, besides the obvious ingredients–marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and artichokes on toasted Italian hero bread–we’ve heard the hero also contains bits of scrambled eggs, giving the sandwich a chewy yet creamy texture.
According to Tasting Table, the tangy sandwich had actually been on the Brooklyn deli’s menu for years before it starting drawing in lines of hungry New Yorkers wanting to get one for themselves–owner Edga Luinavictoria even stated that they once sold 400 orders of the hero in one day!
And it’s easy to see why–one Instagram user stated how, after eating the sandwich cold following an 80 mile trek back to Philadelphia, it was still fantastic. “The artichokes had a little crunch to them. The cheese and eggs coated everything almost as awesome as the sauce…But my favorite part. The bread. Holy moly. The chew is literally perfect.”
The same user added in a second post about the sandwich how it was “life changing” and that they “still think about it two months later.”
Another Instagram user stated “Definitely make a special trip to [Mama Louisa’s Hero Shoppe] it is sooo worth it. We can’t wait to go back.”
While Bon Appétit writes that the artichoke parm is still a niche sandwich, “those who love it are extremely dedicated fans.” Charles Star, a fan of the sandwich who has lived near the deli since 2006, told the outlet, “The only thing really wrong with it is, you kind of want to slow down and savor, and it doesn’t really encourage that.”
If you’re interested in trying the sandwich yourself, pop on over to family-owned Mama Louisa’s Hero Shoppe in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. Word on the street is that you won’t be disappointed!
Plus, the deli also offers outdoor seating, so you won’t have to waste any time before digging into the sandwich.
📍 Mama Louisa’s Hero Shoppe – 609 New York Ave, Brooklyn