Sunny's — Review by Food Network
Hollywood, United States — Italian American, Sandwiches
Sunny's is a 50-year-old institution in Hollywood, Florida, opened by Sunny in 1958 and now run by his son John. The restaurant is famous for its Philly cheese steaks and Italian hoagies made with fresh, homemade bread baked daily and quality ingredients. The reviewer praised the sandwiches as among the best he's ever had, with particular emphasis on the buttery rolls, tender meats, and flavorful homemade sauce.
What was great: Famous steak cookies with fresh homemade bread baked daily, excellent cheese steaks with quality meat, meatball hoagies with homemade sauce, buttery sandwiches, half-century tradition of quality
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
Sunny's menu centers around their signature steak hoagies, called steak cookies, which feature thin-sliced boneless ribeye with yellow onions, butter, and provolone cheese on fresh homemade rolls. The reviewer sampled multiple variations using their unique numbering system - the 50 (sauce and onions), 90 (no sauce with onions), 95 (plain with sauce), and 9 (totally plain). Each sandwich was executed with precision and arrived piping hot with melted cheese draped over tender meat and caramelized onions on a buttery, freshly baked roll. Beyond the cheese steaks, Sunny's serves Italian hoagies and meatball subs. The meatball sub featured homemade meatballs made from scratch using a mix of ground beef, breadcrumbs ground from their own bread, Pecorino Romano, fresh garlic, parsley, and other seasonings. These tender meatballs came smothered in the restaurant's signature tomato sauce made from an old family recipe loaded with vegetables, served on another of their famous homemade rolls.
The Experience
The restaurant occupies a building that, while appearing new, has actually stood for 50 years. Inside, there's a clear sense of legacy and tradition. John, the owner and son of Sunny, runs the operation with pride and attention to detail. The vibe is casual and welcoming, with customers happily hunching over their sandwiches - a Triple D tradition. The staff is knowledgeable and accommodates guests warmly. What strikes visitors most is the obvious care taken in every sandwich prepared, from the bread making to the final assembly.
Value & Pricing
Specific prices weren't detailed in the review, but the sandwiches appear to be reasonably priced for the quality and portion size delivered. Customers mentioned they've been coming every week for 40 years, suggesting excellent value.
Notable Moments
This is the best steak sandwich in the whole world.
Once you're here, you can't wait to get back.
The video featured an extensive look at the bread-making process, with John explaining how they start with fresh yeast, salt, diamond malt for the yeast, and flour, mixing for specific intervals before letting dough rest and proof. They produce between 30 and 50 dozen rolls daily. The rolls are placed in a metal proof box, scored, buttered, and baked in a rotisserie oven that creates a light, crackling crust.
The Verdict
Sunny's is a must-visit destination for anyone serious about sandwiches. This isn't just a restaurant - it's a piece of history that has maintained its commitment to quality for over five decades. The homemade bread alone sets them apart from countless other establishments, but combined with quality meats, proper technique, and genuine care, Sunny's delivers some of the finest steak hoagies available. It's the kind of place where loyal customers return weekly for 40 years, and new visitors immediately understand why.