Eighteen layers of meat and three layers of cheese, all stacked onto one Italian sub. That’s the flagship order at a corner store that has been building sandwiches since 1946.
I like that even the smaller versions sound huge. You can pick six, eight, twelve, or fourteen layers, then choose a soft or hard roll.
A homemade dressing ties the whole tower together.
Behind a green, white, and red striped awning, the place doubles as an old-school Italian market. The shelves hold stuffed olives and olive oil, and a full deli counter offers veal cutlets and fresh ground sirloin.
Michigan has plenty of sub shops, but few have stayed this committed to stacking for this long. So how on earth do you even pick a layer count?
A Southwest Detroit Corner Store With Serious Sandwich Credentials
Sandwich lovers across Michigan know the name The Original Gonella’s, even if they’ve never stood at its counter. It’s a sub shop and Italian market rolled into one unassuming corner store in Southwest Detroit.
The headline act is the Italian sub, and the shop proudly calls its subs world-famous. That’s a bold claim, but a 4.8-star Google rating across more than 2,800 reviews supports the swagger.
What really sets it apart is the stacking. You decide how many layers of meat go on your sandwich, all the way up to a towering eighteen.
Beyond the subs, the shelves carry Italian groceries and a full deli counter handles fresh cuts. One stop can cover lunch today and dinner ingredients for tomorrow.
The crew behind the counter is sometimes called a team of sandwich artisans. Honestly, that title fits a place built entirely around careful layering.
There’s also a second location in Redford, which opened in 2017. Still, the original Detroit shop is where the whole legend took shape.
For plenty of Michiganders, that history alone justifies the drive. Let’s unpack what keeps the sandwich faithful coming back.
Stacking Subs Since 1946, Through Every Detroit Chapter
Harry Truman was in the White House when this shop first opened its doors in 1946. That makes The Original Gonella’s a Detroit institution with more than 75 years of slicing behind it.
Think about how much the city has changed since then. Neighborhoods shifted, factories rose and fell, and food trends came and went in waves.
Through all of it, the Italian sub stayed at the center of the menu. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s exactly what makes a place feel like family history.
Plenty of Michigan families have multigenerational ties here. Grandparents who once picked up hard rolls and pepperoni now have grandkids ordering their own stacked subs.
The shop still calls itself an original mom-and-pop-style Italian market. It hasn’t been reinvented into a sleek chain with a trendy logo and a mobile app gimmick.
Instead, it leans on what has worked for decades. Good meat, good bread, and a counter crew that knows how to build a sandwich properly.
Nostalgia like that is earned, not manufactured. Over 75 years of stacking is a pretty convincing résumé.
Look For The Striped Awning In Italian Flag Colors
Green, white, and red stripes do a lot of heavy lifting on this block. The iconic striped awning is how most people spot the shop from the street.
It’s a smart bit of branding without trying too hard. Those colors announce Italian deli long before you read a single word on the building.
Otherwise, the building is a modest corner store. It doesn’t shout for attention with flashy signs or a giant sandwich mascot on the roof.
That low-key look is part of the charm. The Original Gonella’s lets its subs do the talking, and they talk loudly.
For first-timers, the awning is a handy landmark. Keep an eye out for it as you roll through the neighborhood streets.
Many old-school Detroit businesses share this same humble style. Simple storefronts, no frills, and a focus on what happens behind the counter.
So don’t expect a polished food hall or a designer dining room here. Expect a classic neighborhood market that has looked the part for decades, with stripes that practically wave you inside.
Eighteen Layers Of Meat Is Not A Typo
Most sandwiches stop at two or three slices of meat. The menu here lists an option with 18 layers of meat and 3 layers of cheese.
Some folks call it the 18 and 6 sandwich, the flagship creation of the house. Whatever you call it, it’s the order that built the reputation.
Picturing it is half the fun. Layer after layer of Italian cold cuts, stacked with care, then crowned with provolone and fresh toppings.
Is it practical for a quick weekday lunch? Probably not for everyone, but practicality was never the point of a sandwich this ambitious.
It’s the kind of order you bring home to share with the family. Or you split it with a coworker and pretend you planned it that way all along.
The Original Gonella’s has built this tower for generations of Michigan eaters. It has become a bucket-list bite for sandwich fans across the state.
Even if you never order it, knowing it exists is entertaining. It’s proof that someone in Detroit looked at a regular sub and decided to keep going.
Your Layer Count, Your Rules
Not ready to tackle eighteen? Good news, because the menu offers smaller builds with 6, 8, 12, and 14 layers of meat.
That flexibility is one of the smartest things about the shop. You get to match the sandwich to your appetite instead of fighting a one-size-fits-all monster.
The six-layer sub is a solid entry point. It still delivers that classic Italian deli flavor without requiring a nap afterward.
Eight layers seems to be a popular middle ground. It shows up often when people talk about their favorite order here.
Twelve and fourteen layers push things into serious territory. Those are for hungry lunch crowds or anyone planning to save half for later.
Choosing your count also helps balance the bread-to-meat ratio. Nobody wants a sub that feels like a loaf of bread with a whisper of salami.
Families can mix and match too. One person goes light, another goes big, and everybody leaves happy with their own personal tower.
It’s a simple system, but it works. The Original Gonella’s basically lets you design your own legend.
The Cold Cut Lineup Behind Every Stack
Hard salami, salami cotto, mortadella, smoked ham, and capicola. That’s the classic Italian lineup that goes into these famous subs.
Each one brings something different to the party. Salami adds a firm, savory backbone, while mortadella brings a softer, mellow layer.
Capicola is the Italian cured meat many deli fans seek out first. Smoked ham rounds things out with a familiar, comforting note.
Stacking them in layers is what makes the sandwich sing. Every bite pulls a little of each meat together instead of just one flavor.
Provolone cheese joins the lineup to tie the meats together. Then lettuce, tomatoes, and onions add freshness to balance all that richness.
It’s a combination rooted in old-school Italian deli tradition. The Original Gonella’s has kept that formula going in Detroit since 1946.
Nothing about it feels trendy or experimental. It’s simply a time-tested blend that keeps working, decade after decade.
Honestly, that’s the beauty of a good Italian sub. When the ingredients are right, you don’t need to reinvent anything.
Soft Roll Or Hard Roll Is The Big Debate
Every great sub needs a sturdy foundation. Here, you get to choose between a soft roll or a hard roll.
That choice sparks friendly debate among fans. Hard roll loyalists love the crusty exterior, while soft roll fans prefer a gentler bite.
A hard roll can feel like a natural match for a heavy stack. It gives all those layers something solid to lean on.
A soft roll, on the other hand, keeps things easygoing. It’s a solid pick if you want the meats to take center stage.
Then comes the homemade dressing. It’s the house touch that pulls the meat, cheese, and vegetables into one tidy package.
Some people love it so much they look for extra. The dressing is clearly part of what makes The Original Gonella’s taste like itself.
Hard rolls also carry their own nostalgia at this shop. Generations of Detroit families have picked them up for decades.
Can’t decide? Try one roll this visit and the other next time, which is a convenient excuse for a return trip.
A Real Deli Counter For Dinner Plans Too
Lunch might bring you in, but dinner could send you home with a full bag. The Original Gonella’s runs a full deli counter with fresh meats.
Fresh ground sirloin is on the list. So are veal cutlets, which open the door to a classic Italian family dinner.
Seasonal steaks and tenderloin also make an appearance. Those are handy for anyone planning a weekend cookout or a special Sunday meal.
This is where the shop feels like a true neighborhood market. It isn’t only about subs; it’s about feeding a household.
Plenty of old Detroit Italian markets once worked this way. Fewer remain today, which makes a full-service counter like this feel even more special.
Cold cuts are a big draw as well. Many people pick up sliced meats to build sandwiches at home.
It’s a smart move if your family can’t agree on one sub size. Everyone builds their own creation at the kitchen table.
Bring a cooler bag if you’re driving in from farther across Michigan. Fresh meat and a long ride home call for a little planning.
Olives, Olive Oil, And An Aisle Full Of Italian Staples
Stuffed olives and olive oil sit right on the shelves. The Original Gonella’s doubles as an Italian market, so the grocery side deserves its own browse.
The olive bar gets plenty of attention. It’s a fun stop for anyone who likes snacking while they wait.
Pasta salad and antipasto salad also come up often among fans. Both make easy sides to pair with a stacked sub.
The deli case holds other Italian classics as well. Marinated peppers, vinegar peppers, and slaws round out the lineup.
Pasta and sauces line the shelves too. You could easily gather everything for a simple Italian supper in one quick trip.
That mix makes the shop more than a lunch counter. It feels like a pantry for anyone who loves Italian cooking at home.
Snacks and drinks are available as well, so grabbing a full meal is easy. A bag of chips and a sub make a classic Detroit lunch combo.
Give yourself a few extra minutes to wander. The shelves reward curiosity, and you may leave with more than you planned.
Save Room For A Cannoli, Seriously
After eighteen layers of meat, dessert sounds impossible. Yet cannoli ranks among the most talked-about items at this shop.
It’s a classic Italian pastry with a crisp shell and a creamy filling. Pairing one with a stacked sub feels like the proper Italian deli finish.
Some fans go as far as calling it the best cannoli in Michigan. That’s a big statement in a state with plenty of bakeries.
Even if you’re stuffed, a cannoli travels well enough for later. Tuck one in the bag for an afternoon treat.
It’s also a great way to round out a family order. Kids who aren’t ready for a giant sub may happily claim dessert.
The Original Gonella’s keeps the sweet side simple. No elaborate pastry case drama, just a well-loved classic done right.
Think of it as the encore after the main performance. The sandwich gets the headlines, but the cannoli quietly steals plenty of hearts.
So yes, plan ahead. Leave a little space, or bring a friend willing to split the damage.
Grab It To Go, Because There Are No Tables Inside
Here’s a practical note before you go. The original Detroit location doesn’t offer indoor seating.
That means this is a takeout operation through and through. Plan to eat in the car, at a nearby park, or back at home.
Honestly, a wrapped sub travels better than most meals. Your stacked masterpiece will be ready whenever you find the right spot.
Families with little ones might like the quick in-and-out setup. The staff are known for being friendly and fast, which helps when kids get restless.
Office lunch runs work well here too. Pick up a few subs, some chips, and a cannoli or two for the team.
If you live on the west side of the metro area, there’s another option. The Redford location opened in 2017 and serves the same famous subs.
Still, many fans enjoy visiting the original shop at least once. There’s a little extra pride in buying from the place that started it all.
Just bring napkins. A sandwich with this many layers deserves a little preparation.
Hours, Address, And Timing Your Sandwich Run
Mark your calendar, because Sundays are off the table. The Original Gonella’s is closed on Sundays.
Monday through Friday, the doors typically open from 9 AM to 6 PM. Saturdays run a bit shorter, usually from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Hours can shift around holidays, so it may help to check before a long drive. Nobody wants to cross Michigan and find a locked door.
You’ll find the shop at 295 Oakwood, Detroit, MI 48217. It sits in Southwest Detroit, an easy drive from much of the metro area.
Prices are generally considered fair for the portion sizes. The layer system also lets you control both appetite and budget.
An early visit can make a quick stop even quicker. Morning trips are handy if you want to stock up on deli meats too.
Bring a cooler if you plan to shop the meat counter. It keeps those veal cutlets happy on the ride home.
With the address saved in your phone, the striped awning will handle the rest. Look for those colors and park nearby.
Why This Stack Deserves A Spot On Your Michigan List
Seventy-five-plus years is a long time to do one thing well. The Original Gonella’s has spent that stretch perfecting the stacked Italian sub.
It’s a Michigan story with real roots. A family-style market, a Southwest Detroit corner, and a sandwich that refuses to be ordinary.
I believe places like this matter more every year. They connect today’s lunch crowd with the Detroit of decades past.
You don’t need to conquer eighteen layers to enjoy it. A six-layer sub on a hard roll still delivers the full experience.
Add a cannoli, grab some olives, and maybe pick up meat for dinner. Suddenly, a quick stop becomes a proper day-trip errand.
The no-seating setup keeps things simple. Grab your bag, find a sunny spot, and enjoy a true Detroit classic.
For proud Michiganders, it’s an easy recommendation for out-of-town guests. Few things say welcome to Detroit like a sub this tall.
So which layer count are you choosing first? Whatever the answer, the striped awning will be waiting, just as it has since 1946.
