Los Angeles has a complicated relationship with transplant restaurants. Some come to this corner of the Southland with an off-putting vibe that the city owes them something; others seem to know they need to be thoughtful about the Los Angeles palate to succeed. Pino’s Sandwiches — a Florence-based sandwich shop that expanded into the U.S. for the first time in 2025 — falls into the latter category. The family-operated Italian import, tucked on North Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz, layers cured meats, cheeses, and vegetables onto crisp, airy schiacciata, baked on-site, for sandwiches that almost transport you to Florence’s uneven stone streets. The only thing missing to complete the experience is a sidewalk glass of wine carefully cradled between two fingers and a cigarette — which are prevalent at the best Tuscan sandwich shops.
Picking up sandwiches for a Griffith Park or Barnsdall picnic; quick solo lunches where there will probably be leftovers (Pino’s sandwiches are quite generous); being transported to Florence without having to book a flight.
Pino’s is a rare Los Feliz restaurant with free parking. Pull into the tight alleyway just past the restaurant to find a parking lot in the back.