Michael & Sandy Bertrando behind the counter at Sam’s
For nearly 80 years, Sam’s Sub Shop has been a beloved staple in the heart of Kennett Square. Located on State Street, directly across from the new Kennett Library, Sam’s is more than just a place to grab a cheesesteak or an Italian hoagie — it’s a living piece of our town’s history.
When speaking with Sandy Bertrando and her son, Michael Bertrando, it’s clear the sub shop is woven deeply into both their family’s story, and the town’s. They reminisced about a time when everyone knew each other, when the movie theater was just down State Street, and when single women had to enter the Greene Gate (now Letty’s Tavern) through the back door. Their memories preserve the nostalgia of a place started by Sandy’s father and Michael’s grandfather, Sam Frabriso, and his wife Virginia, in 1946.
Before it became a sandwich shop, the space was a pool hall. Sandy pointed out the electric wiring still hanging in the ceiling where lights once hung over pool tables. Sam, a hardworking man, wasn’t interested in the factory jobs that most were taking post World War II. While working for the Good Roads department at the Borough building, Sam convinced his wife, Virginia to take a leap of faith and open a sandwich shop instead. Together, they transformed the former pool hall into what would become a neighborhood cornerstone.
Sam & Sandy outside the sub shop
Sandy was three years old when the shop opened. By 1948, the couple welcomed another daughter, who spent her early years in a playpen behind the counter. It was always a family effort: Virginia’s mother worked on a mushroom assembly line by day and helped out at the sub shop in the evenings. Virginia baked pies that were sold by the slice at the deli counter.
In the early years, Sam kept his day job and bartended at night at the Greene Gate. Eventually, he committed full-time to the shop. Those who knew Sam say his work ethic was both contagious and a curse. At one point, even though he wasn’t much of a drinker himself, Sam opened a bar — Sam’s Inn, over on Cypress Street. Like the sub shop, it was a place that welcomed everyone. At a time when segregation was still the norm, Sam’s Inn stood out as one of the few spots between Philly and New York where Black musicians were invited to play live music, and people of all backgrounds could gather under one roof.
Fran Rush, John Rush & Sam Frabriso in 1977
Virginia passed away in 1975 then Sam passed away 20 years later in 1995. The spirit of the shop endures, as Sandy, her sister and Michael continue to keep the operation going.
Michael, was raised among hoagie rolls, cold cuts, and customer stories that he now is bringing to life in comedy skits. Growing up in the shop, Michael always had a passion for theater. He helped out behind the counter before going on to pursue stand-up and improv in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. His creative journey took him across South America and Europe, where he even attended clown school in France, and eventually landed several acting gigs in commercials with brands like McDonald’s, Nintendo, and Mercedes-Benz. Michael explains that one of his career highlights was performing an improv skit on stage with Robin Williams.
Despite the travel and passion for acting, Michael always returns to his family’s sub shop. His mother Sandy credits Michael and his two brothers with helping to keep the shop afloat after the COVID-19 pandemic, honoring both their family legacy and the community they love.
Recently, Michael turned the sub shop into a movie set for a new comedy film he wrote, directed, and starred in, called Italian Special. It’s the first in a series of short films exploring the culture clash between longtime locals and gentrifying newcomers.
“It’s a love letter to the small mom-and-pop businesses that built our neighborhoods and made all these new people want to move here,” Michael says. “These places aren’t just businesses — they’re community anchors.”
Michael Bertrando & Mark Ruffalo enjoying a sub on the movie set of HBO’s upcoming series, Task
The film features actress Kelly Cooper (The Daily Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) and Emmy-nominated cinematographer Johnny Frohman, both from New York. Most of the crew are Pennsylvania locals, many of whom worked on HBO’s upcoming series Task, filmed in the area and premiering this fall.
Michael also appears in Task, playing a local FBI agent, and served as a stand-in, body double, and stunt driver for lead actor Mark Ruffalo. The relationships he built during that production laid the groundwork for Italian Special.
Sam’s menu is basically still the same but has evolved with the times. In the 1970s, they would open at 5:00 a.m. to serve breakfast and coffee to local mushroom workers. Longtime favorites like the Italian sub and classic breakfast sandwiches remain popular. Michael later added the Brooklyn Sub as a tribute to his time living in New York City. He also created a “cheesesteak con todo” popular among the Hispanic community—loaded with fried onions, lettuce, tomato, jalapeños, ketchup, and mayo.
Much of the original equipment remains, including the original ice box, wooden counter, and a 70-year-old fan affectionately known as “Big Bertha”. Some things age, but the soul of the sub shop hasn’t changed. Michael proudly says, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it”.
Sam’s delivery truck – Michael remembers tagging along on deliveries to The Cannery
Next summer, Sam’s Sub Shop will celebrate its 80th anniversary — a milestone that speaks to its character, deep roots, and the generations of stories made behind the counter.
Sam’s Sub Shop isn’t just about great sandwiches—it’s also your go-to spot in Kennett Square for grabbing essentials like a quart of milk, fresh bread, deli lunch meats, and other convenient grocery items. Today, as both longtime locals and newcomers walk through the door, they’re not just ordering a sandwich – they’re stepping into history…and possibly Michael’s comedy skits.
