Shop known for tender turkey sandwiches opens in Bradenton. More could be on the way
Known for The Bobbie, a slow-roasted turkey sandwich, topped with cranberry sauce, handmade stuffing and mayo, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop recently opened its first Manatee County franchise in West Bradenton.
The new store, sandwiched, so to speak, between a Starbucks and a Cold Stone Creamery, is in the Shoppes of Paradise Bay, 7480 Cortez Road W.
Plans to open the Bradenton franchise were first reported by the Bradenton Herald earlier this year.
Franchise owner Jason Cooper and general manager Scott Woodhead say the Shoppes of Paradise Bay is an ideal location along one of the main corridors to Anna Maria Island.
It’s also across the street from Lake Flores, a 1,200-acre mixed-use planned development under construction on a former flower farm.
Founded in 1976 by siblings Lois and Alan Margolet in the Little Italy neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware, Capriotti’s is now based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop opens in Bradenton
“Capriotti’s cold, grilled and vegetarian subs, cheesesteaks and salads are available at more than 175 locations across the United States,” the company web page says.
The first three Capriotti’s in Florida are in Miami, Lutz and Odessa.
The company has aggressive plans to have 500 locations open by 2025.
As a hospitality student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Cooper became a fan of the brand when he ate at a Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop every chance he got.
Capriotti’s is known for slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house every night.
“The next day, the turkeys are fall-off-the-bone tender. The Bobbie is like Thanksgiving on a bun,” Cooper said.
Woodhead adds: “We slice all our meats in-house. There are no microwaves, and all the ingredients are fresh.”
Beyond turkey sandwiches, Capriotti’s also offers a variety of other choices, including beef, chicken and vegetarian. The star of its vegetarian menu is the “Impossible Cheesesteak.”
The menu starts with classic cheese steak, grilled chicken parmesan, chicken chipotle crunch, chicken cheese steak and barbecue chicken sandwiches.
Capriotti’s serves American Wagyu beef from Snake River Farms on its sandwiches. Subs include turkey, Italian, meatball and Italian sausage.
Cooper’s favorite as a college student was the Capastrami, which includes layers of pastrami, Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing.
Rounding out the menu are fries, salads, a rotating selection of soups and the vegetarian sandwich options.
Capriotti’s says to choose your sub size: half, small medium or large (18 inches).
Capriotti’s is also equipped to offer catering, everything from box lunches to party trays and more.
Cooper is looking at potential new restaurant locations in Lakewood Ranch, central Sarasota, south Sarasota and Nokomis.
His wife is originally from Fort Myers, and Cooper said that helped ease their move from Las Vegas to southwest Florida.
Bradenton-Sarasota offers good family life, good schools and a good restaurant and entertainment scene, he said.
Prior to joining Capriotti’s, Woodhead was a manager with Blaze Pizza in Sarasota for seven years.
What to know
▪ Name: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
▪ Address: 7480 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
▪ Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week
▪ Phone: 941-900-4622
▪ Online: order.capriottis.com
