Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood has a new reason to gather around the kitchen table. Farina Di Vita, the Italian‑style sandwich and pasta shop owned by longtime friends Brandyn Ortiz and Jason Okdeh, has introduced a chicken cutlet sandwich that honors the owners’ grandmothers and the traditions they passed down.
Family roots on the menu
Both owners say the flavors they serve are meant to remind diners of home‑cooked meals. Ortiz explains, “When people bite into the sandwiches, we want them to feel the flavors of home.” That sentiment is literal in the new sandwich, which Ortiz created in tribute to his mother, Patsy, a matriarch who raised ten children on her own.
Okdeh’s tribute to his own grandmother, “Marie,” is another best‑seller. The “Marie” sandwich layers 24‑month Parma Prosciutto DOP, fresh mozzarella, arugula, grape tomatoes, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon on a crusty roll. Okdeh recalls that Marie immigrated from Italy, never learned English, and could dominate a game of rummy.
How the cutlet is made
The chicken cutlet that anchors the Patsy sandwich is prepared with two key steps that set it apart from typical fried chicken. First, the breast is never pounded; instead, it is hand‑fileted, preserving the meat’s natural texture. Second, Pecorino Romano is mixed into the breadcrumb coating, adding a sharp, salty flavor that complements the chicken’s mildness.
After being dredged, the cutlet receives a quick fry to develop a golden crust, then finishes in the oven to ensure it is cooked through without drying out. The result is a hearty, warming bite that Ortiz describes as “very comforting, just like Patsy.”
Putting it all together
The sandwich arrives on a custom super‑seeded Cacia’s roll, which Okdeh says “soaks everything up” and provides the perfect base for the flavors. It is topped with Farina Di Vita’s house vodka sauce, a generous hunk of burrata cheese, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, and a dash of pepper.
“When we opened up, that’s what we wanted,” Ortiz says, noting that the shop aimed to be “one of the best Italians and one of the best cutlets in the city.” The shop, located at the corner of 3rd and Catharine, began as a pasta pop‑up before securing a brick‑and‑mortar space and expanding into a full‑service sandwich destination.
Community response
Local diners have responded enthusiastically, praising the sandwich’s balance of tradition and innovation. Many note that the story behind the sandwich—two families honoring their grandmothers—adds a personal touch that resonates in a neighborhood that values heritage and family.
Farina Di Vita continues to blend classic Italian flavors with a modern approach, offering both pasta dishes and a growing sandwich menu that reflects the owners’ commitment to feeding the community with food that feels like home.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
