Local Business Spotlight: Sangwich Spot & Pintxe Tacos

A few weeks back we had the chance to interview Joe DeSanto, owner of a new dual-eatery concept opening in Beach Haven. One side of the restaurant is called “The Sangwich Spot” while the other side will be “Pintxe Tacos.”

We stopped by the restaurant and asked Joe a few questions about his restaurant background, love for LBI, and learned why your mouth will start watering once you smell what him and his crew are cooking up.

Joe, thanks for taking time to meet with us. Why don’t you tell us a bit about your background. Have you worked in the restaurant industry before this?

I have been working in and around restaurants since I was 12 years old. I have worked in every type of place from bars and taverns to 4-Star NY Times and 3-Star Michelin-rated restaurants. I love the industry and I can't see myself doing anything else.

What type of food do you plan on serving?

At the Sangwich Spot, we’re serving our signature sanGwiches! At Pintxe Tacos, we are building your tacos as you order them from our carefully curated menu to make your favorite pintxe taco. We are strictly take-out and fast, casual, ready and delicious! If people order online, we can have their orders ready by the time they get to the store. Fast, Simple, and Delicious.

Will the restaurant be dine-in or take-out?

100% take-out. No dine-in. Eventually, we would love to be able to deliver! If we see that we have enough staff and the ability to do it well, delivery will be our first expansion.

What made you decide to open a restaurant on LBI?

I have been working on the island since I moved here from Manhattan 8 years ago. I have worked for the Sabarese Family at The Arlington and Daymark for the last 7 summers, running one or the other kitchen during the peak season. My wife and I love living here. We couldn't think of a better place for our family to own a business than right in the heart of Beach Haven; serving the food we love in a way that is convenient and focused on what the island families want!

If you had to pick your favorite menu item/s, what would it be?

Which one of your children is your favorite?! How am I supposed to choose that?!?! I love everything we make but I outright LOVE sangwiches! The Roast Beef is simple but delicious and juicy with mozzarella that I am making fresh every morning. Stop by around 7 any morning to see me rolling it for the sangwiches and sides (re: fresh Mutz in a cup)!

The pork sangwich is a favorite, too. We shred olive oil poached pork and top it with sautéed onions & peppadew peppers with a little spinach, it's a great combination of flavors!

Then again... I have been making tacos for myself, my family, my friends, and my staff for decades. I love our barbacoa and our carnitas, but all five tacos are a tribute to every person I have worked with for all my years in kitchens and dining rooms. Everything I've learned with and from them my entire career. Tacos are a food that can only be made well with love.

When is your planned opening? And tentative hours?

We are opening on Friday, May 24th at 7am. We'll be open the full weekend on Memorial Day Weekend, Friday-Monday, until we run out of food! And then weekends only again until June 21st when we are going to start opening for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night. Hopefully we will be able to accommodate people all day, every day until Labor Day!

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

We can't wait to start cooking for all of you! We have been working hard to completely rebuild the space we're in to be able to prepare and serve food to the entire community!! We're prominent on social media, PINTXETACOS and SANGWICHSPOT on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. For all up-to-date and current info about us, please follow!

Also, we're running a contest for Memorial Day Weekend for the 10 best posts with a review of the store. Winners will receive 3 free tacos every week from Memorial Day to Labor Day! We will announce the winners on May 28th on our socials.

We're extremely excited for the opportunity to be taking care of so many locals and vacationers, and we want everyone to know that we're here for them, all day, everyday to do our best to make your time on the island as easy as it can be while you're here!

Last, we want to thank our friends and family, the Beach Haven community, and local contractor partners that supported us and helped bring Pintxe Tacos and Sangwich Spot to life!