Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. will open in the Grand Central District later this year | St. Pete Rising

A Tampa sandwich shop known for its New York Italian-American chicken cutlet sandwiches is making its way to St. Pete’s Grand Central District.

Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co., recently recommended by the Michelin Guide, is preparing to open at 2063 Central Avenue, taking over the space formerly home to Little Philly, which closed in December.

The new sandwich shop is expected to debut by the end of 2026.

The menu features a variety of chicken cutlet sandwiches, such as the best-selling Thee Parmesan Don, a chicken parmesan sandwich with house-made red sauce, mozzarella, and grated parmesan.

A smaller lineup of Italian-American deli sandwiches and wraps are also available.

For partner AJ DeSimone, the move across the Bay has been a long time coming.

“Opening a second location in St. Pete seems like the natural progression of a restaurant that starts in Tampa…but we recognize that it’s a completely different market,” DeSimone said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We’re not trying to ‘Tampa their St. Pete,’ but we want to be a part of their community and bring a type of cuisine that might not be available to them all of the time.”

Cousin Vinny’s “That Louie” sandwich consists of a Hand Breaded Chicken Cutlet, House Made Pesto Aioli, Red Peppers, and Mozzarella on an Italian sub | COusin Vinny’s

DeSimone and co-owner Russell “Cuz” Leone grew up three blocks apart in Utica, New York, part of a tight-knit Italian-American community where food was central to daily life.

It’s the kind of place where delis and pizzerias are on every corner, and chicken cutlet sandwiches are a staple.

Along with Vincent “Vinny” Andriotti and Jake Schmidt, the group set out to recreate that experience in Tampa Bay.

None of them came from traditional restaurant ownership backgrounds, but they shared a clear idea of what they wanted to serve.

“We could find these types of sandwiches everywhere in New York, but they weren’t as common in Tampa Bay,” DeSimone said. “When we started the ghost kitchen in 2023, my goal was to see if people actually wanted something like this in Tampa.”

They launched Cousin Vinny’s out of a commissary kitchen on Nebraska Avenue, operating just a few days a week with online ordering and pickup.

The owners of Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. are, from left, Jake Schmidt, Russell “Cuz” Leone, Vincent “Vinny” Andriotti, and AJ DeSimone | Cousin Vinny’s

The concept quickly gained popularity and led to a brick-and-mortar location that opened in Tampa’s NoHo neighborhood last year.

Within months, the shop earned a recommendation from the Michelin Guide.

“Any sandwich aficionado knows it's all about the bread and the fillings, and both are top notch here,” the guide’s write-up reads.

Each cutlet is hand-breaded, pounded thin, and fried until crisp, then served hot on toasted Italian bread with a garlic spread. From there, the sandwiches branch out.

The Tony Piccante combines the cutlet with spicy vodka sauce, roasted red peppers, ricotta, and melted mozzarella.

The Capo del Schmeet adds cherry pepper mayo, capicola, provolone, arugula, onion, and Italian vinaigrette for a sharper, spicier profile.

The Chicken Caesar wrap includes a grilled or fried chicken cutlet, romaine, croutons, and housemade Caesar dressing | Cousin Vinny’s

There is also a selection of sandwiches on house-made schiacciata bread, which is known as the cousin to focaccia.

The Tuscan-style bread, baked in-house, is thinner and crispier than focaccia and serves as the base for several standout sandwiches.

The Prosciutto Di Papo layers prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, roasted red peppers, and a roasted artichoke cream spread, finished with olive oil and balsamic glaze.

The Tomei & Mozz keeps things lighter with house-made mozzarella, tomato, arugula, pesto aioli, and balsamic.

Outside of sandwiches, Cousin Vinny’s offers a chicken Caesar wrap plus sides like meatballs, Caesar salad, and chips.

Desserts include cannoli cream pudding, black and white cookies, and brown butter chocolate chip cookies.

The Prosciutto di Papo contains prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, roasted red peppers, and a housemade roasted artichoke cream spread, topped with EVOO and balsamic glaze | Cousin Vinny’s

While the food is the draw, the story behind it continues to shape the brand.

Chef Vinny Andriotti has described the concept as a reflection of his upbringing and a tribute to his late father, who believed he was happiest in the kitchen, despite earning a degree in finance.

Now, as the team prepares to expand into St. Pete, they’re taking a measured approach to growth.

DeSimone said they’ve spent time in the Grand Central District getting a feel for the neighborhood, watching how it shifts block by block and how it continues to evolve.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the neighborhood,” DeSimone said. “I think it’s only going to keep growing from here.”

Be sure to follow Cousin Vinny’s on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest offerings and a grand opening date.