St. Petersburg

Michelin-Recommended Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. Expanding to St. Petersburg

The Northeast-style sandwich shop will bring scratch-made sandwiches and patio dining to Central Avenue.

Picture courtesy of Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. is planning a second location at 2063 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, FL 33713. Chef and co-owner Vinny Andriotti told Business Debut he is opening the new shop with co-owners Russell Leone, who leads operations; AJ Desimone, who handles finance; and Jake Schimdt, who oversees branding, marketing and real estate.

The team is targeting a November opening, pending construction, Andriotti told Business Debut.

What to Expect

Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. is a quick-service sandwich shop built around Northeast-style sandwiches, scratch-made components and a focus on hospitality, Andriotti told Business Debut.

The concept began in a ghost kitchen in 2023 before opening its first storefront in Tampa on January 14, 2025. The St. Petersburg location will carry the same menu as the Tampa shop, with specials expected to run at both locations, Andriotti said.

The new Central Avenue space will include indoor seating and outdoor patio dining, with a garage door that can open the storefront to the patio, Andriotti told Business Debut.

Pictures courtesy of Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co.

Andriotti said the menu combines the food he grew up with and the fine-dining techniques he developed while working in Michelin-star kitchens and with James Beard Award-nominated chefs.

“I’ve applied what I learned in fine dining to amplify flavor, texture and moisture into traditional food items that we grew up with at home,” Andriotti told Business Debut.

The shop’s sub rolls are shipped in from Staten Island, and the shelves include Poland Spring water as a nod to New York and the Northeast, Andriotti said.

Menu highlights include the chicken Caesar wrap, the shop’s top seller, and the Capo del Shmeet, a cutlet sandwich with cherry pepper mayo, provolone, coppa, arugula, red peppers, onions and house Italian vinaigrette.

Andriotti also shared that the business is tied closely to his father’s influence. Before his father died in 2022, Andriotti said his father encouraged him to pursue cooking because it made him happy.

“Vin, you’re the happiest when you’re in the kitchen cooking, sharing your food with others,” Andriotti recalled his father telling him. “I just want to see you happy.”

Opening Timeline

Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. is targeting a November opening in St. Petersburg, though Andriotti said the timeline could shift depending on construction.