By Scott Cronick
If you are one of the legions who have missed being able to grab a legendary Sack O’ Sub in Ventnor, the wait is almost over.
As we all know, the iconic sub spot was devastated in June 2022 when a fire destroyed the landmark restaurant.
But, thanks to some shuffling of the real estate deck, Sack O’ Subs will swap spots with its next-door-neighbor, Mr. Gordo’s Taqueria, not only enabling Sack O’ Subs to reopen but offering Gordo’s fans a larger space with more seating, including an expanded outdoor dining space.
A bit of a downer is that Mr. Gordo’s Taqueria temporarily closed last weekend to clear the way for Sack O’ Subs. Gordo’s Owner Robert Idell said he hopes construction on the new Gordo’s will begin this fall and be ready to debut a bigger and better Gordo’s experience early next summer.
“It was a win-win for Sack ’O Subs and us,” Idell said. “We will now have a beautiful outdoor space and more seating inside and outside. It’s also just a better flow for the whole block as Sack ’O Subs will be right on the corner, giving their customers easy access to come and go since they have such an incredible takeout business. It’s exciting for both of our businesses, as well as our Downbeach customers.”
Anthony Sacco, a third-generation Sack ’O Subs owner, said he is finalizing plans with an architect and hopes to be open as soon at some time in November. When Sacco reopens the Ventnor location, which he was ready to do last summer after it briefly closed during an ownership change that was further delayed by the June fire, he is going to make his family proud.
Sacco’s grandfather Anthony “Fuzzy” Sacco, who is now in his 90s, was one of the founders of the White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City in 1947 before splitting off and opening the first Sack ’O Subs in Ventnor in 1969. Fuzzy’s son Al opened the first of two Ocean City locations, which he still owns, in 1994, followed by his son Anthony opening a location in Absecon in 1999, with his second location slated for the Ventnor reopening this fall. There’s also another location inside Bally’s Atlantic City and another in Egg Harbor Township.
“Robert is right when he said it just makes sense for both of us,” Sacco said. “Our location will be smaller and more manageable, but we will have outdoor seating, which we never had before. That will be great for the summer when we need it. The fire was devastating, but I never let myself get too upset over it because I knew we would always get back there and reopen it while my grandfather is still alive.”
When Sack ’O Subs does reopen, it will feature the same menu as the Absecon location including the family’s famous subs, as well as Italian dinners, too.
Customers will, of course, be able to order the legendary regular Italian, their store-cooked roast beef, their addictive whipped tuna and homemade chicken salad, cheesesteaks, homemade meatball and Italian hot sausage subs, homemade soups and assortment of salads. But, unlike some locations, Ventnor will offer pasta dinners including stuffed shells, manicotti and ravioli, as well as specialty dinners including chicken, sausage, meatball and eggplant parm, chicken cacciatore and more.
As for Mr. Gordo’s, the Idell family will not only have a new-and-improved location when it reopens next summer in Ventnor, but they also have plans to bring the Mexican taqueria concept to Ocean City as soon as this fall, too … but more on that soon.
“We are excited about what we have in store for Mr. Gordo’s in the near future,” Idell said. “We can’t wait to talk about it more.”
When Gordo’s does return, it will be with their signature items including Mr. Gordo’s Nachos with homemade cheese sauce, refried beans, jalapenos, scallions, diced tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream and your choice of chicken, chorizo or steak; their awesome deep-fried flautas with chicken tinga, diced tomatoes, lettuce, queso fresco and Mexican crema; a variety of tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas and tortas; and their standout entrée, Mr. Gordo’s Parrillada with skirt steak, chicken, chorizo and shrimp served with nopal cebollines, grilled jalapenos, guac and limes served with rice, refried beans and corn tortillas.
Go to SackOSubs.com and MrGordos.com for updates.
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also co-owns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
