Rico Lunardi, the innovative mind behind the popular Slice on Broadway pizza chain, is now making waves in the hoagie market with his new venture, Tim’s Corner Market. Known for its essentials like milk and eggs, Tim’s also boasts some of the best sandwiches in town.
For Lunardi, bread isn’t just an ingredient; it’s a cherished part of his Italian heritage. After spending 14 years perfecting his pizza crust—a New York-style base with a crispy, chewy texture that earned his cheese slice fifth place at this year’s International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas—he is now turning his attention to mastering the hoagie roll.
Tim’s Corner Market, located next to the original Slice on Broadway at 2128 Broadway Ave. in Beechview, has quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional hoagies. While Slice on Broadway’s sandwiches use toasted Breadworks baguettes, Tim’s cold hoagies feature dense, chewy rolls baked in-house. These rolls are sturdy enough to hold substantial fillings without overwhelming the flavors of the meats, cheeses, and veggies inside.
“I want the bread to be the Best Supporting Actor, not the star,” Lunardi explains. Customers can even purchase loaves to enjoy at home.
Named in honor of Lunardi’s late father, Tim’s Corner Market opened in 2020, offering locals a friendly, affordable place to buy essentials and locally made products. This March, the market began offering its own subs, pasta salad, and desserts.
The hoagie menu at Tim’s is impressive. The Canton Crusher, a foot-long sub packed with London broil top-round roast beef, turkey, ham, salami, capicola, provolone, shredded lettuce, potato chips, oil, and vinegar, is a hefty meal that comes in a bag you’ll need to cradle like a newborn.
Another favorite, the Tim’s Italian, features salami, capicola, mortadella, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, vinegar, and Rico’s Italian Seasoning—a blend sold at Slice on Broadway locations. Lunardi also offers the Broadway Avenue Italian, filled with soppressata, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, cherry pepper relish, lettuce, tomato, onion, and oil.
For those craving something simpler, the Hammy, with chipped ham, American cheese, lettuce, and mayo, is a delicious option. Custom creations are also welcomed.
Lunardi’s connection to Beechview runs deep. Both of his parents grew up in the area, and his father used to spend time on the corner where Tim’s now stands. Naming the market after his dad is a tribute to his family and the communal power of food.
Lunardi’s vision for Slice on Broadway and Tim’s Corner Market extends beyond just offering great food; he aims to create community hubs. “We want to grow while maintaining that mom-and-pop feel,” he says. “We have a great product, but the experience you create is more important.”
With six Slice on Broadway locations across Pittsburgh and plans for more Tim’s Corner Markets, Lunardi continues to blend quality with community spirit, ensuring his family’s legacy and love for food remain central to his expanding business ventures.