When Eric Huntley—former Platinum Dining Group chef—heard that the owners of Gaudiello’s Italian Hoagies and Steaks were looking to sell, he knew right away that he was interested. With two decades of restaurant experience under his belt, he felt he was ready to try his hand at ownership.
This past April Huntley debuted his revamped version of the classic sandwich shop, featuring fresh paint, new lighting and a modernized menu. Customers can enjoy reimagined classics like the Special Italian (Gaudiello’s most popular item, loaded with ham, salami, capicola and prosciutto), as well as new items like the Chicken Steak Florentine (a chicken cheesesteak with fire-roasted tomatoes, provolone, basil mayo and fresh spinach that’s been tossed in garlic and olive oil).
Huntley says maintaining some aspects of the original restaurant—a staple in Wilmington’s Trolley Square for over 15 years—has been important to him.
“We’re trying to honor the legacy of what the previous owners had going,” he says. “We have a new logo, but I haven’t gone as far to actively push the fact that it’s new management, because they were doing a good job before. They had a good thing going on.”
The new menu also emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients. Huntley’s goal is to craft each sandwich with the utmost respect; for him, this means exceptionally sourced meat and produce, such as mushrooms from Kennett Square.
“We do a really good sandwich,” Huntley says. “Every business owner thinks they do a good job, but I think we do an exceptional one.”
More information:
Gaudiello’s Italian Hoagies and Steaks
29 Trolley Square, Wilmington
428-1060 • Facebook
