For those familiar with the businesses along Central Avenue, there’s no doubt that Brooklyn South rings a bell. The meat and cheese-focused deli has been operating in the same EDGE District location at 1437 Central Avenue for eight years. Thanks to years of success, the shop decided to expand into the adjacent storefront when it recently became available. 

The original owner, Matt Bonano, was a New York transplant who opened the deli and named it after his belief that the local area reminded him of the “Brooklyn of the South.” While not necessarily focused on “New York-style” cuisine, Brooklyn South brings a variety of fresh sandwiches, charcuterie boards, international meats, cheeses, accouterments, and libations to downtown St. Pete. 

The current owner, Edel Fernandez, was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, and brought his passion for food to Tampa Bay. He landed in St. Pete two years ago after purchasing Brooklyn South from Bonano. Fernandez is a chef and wine and cheese aficionado, who shares his culture and love for the community through his cooking. 

Visitors to Brooklyn South will often hear Edel in the kitchen crafting up one of his homemade Cuban specialties, such as the Ropa Vieja Melt which consists of seasoned Cuban-style pulled brisket with provolone.

Edel also left some of Bonano’s greatest hits on the menu like the Turkey Fig sandwich and the Breuben, a corned beef sandwich with sauerkraut, gruyere, and Peter Luger mayo.

“Our sandwiches are incredibly popular – you can actually see it from our Yelp reviews and ratings,” said manager, artist, and wine and cheese connoisseur Christine Harrelson. “We prioritize high-quality and seasonal ingredients. We use freshly baked bread that we have delivered every morning, along with a wide array of meats and cheeses from around the world. We always have the beloved basics, but we want customers to try something new and expand their interests, like ‘we have Brie but do you want a really good BRIE?’ We’re always trying to provide something different and delicious.”

Wine options for purchase include domestic and international, ranging from coveted wineries in South America, Spain, and even South Africa, curated to pair perfectly with the rotating fromage and sandwiches.

Not only does Brooklyn South serve up fresh-to-order eats for pick-up or dine-in, but they also offer group catering orders and custom charcuterie boards (even vegan ones). Whether looking to order a cheese board for a group picnic or cater an office luncheon or special event, Brooklyn South has got you covered.

As soon as traffic increases from the recent expansion, the team looks to expand their menu offerings.

“Once we have more cheese going out the door, we plan to bring in even more rare cheese offerings,” said Harrelson. “We also want to expand our outdoor seating to serve as a weekend gathering spot for wine and cheese lovers. A place for gathering with live music, where we can offer tastings and even classes to educate on flavors and pairings. We also definitely want to do more catering for events in the community.”

Be sure to visit Brooklyn South’s new expansion at 1437 Central Avenue the next time you’ve got a craving for a delicious sandwich.