Weekly Hornet

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Local

Media Credit: David Stelzmuller

It is always packed at Cortina's for lunch, dinner, weekends or weekdays. There are always take-out orders walking out the door and a dining room filled with happy customers.

It is the quintessential family restaurant, staffed with young members of the surrounding community and dishing up large, hearty portions.

They have everything you would expect from an Italian restaurant: spaghetti, ravioli, lasagna and pizza, but the wonderful food at this pizzeria does not end there. They have some of the best sandwiches you will find in all of Orange County, and that is because this is no ordinary pizzeria.

They have a not-so-secret secret when it comes to making sandwiches, but you will become privy to why later.

Anyone who loves a good Philly cheesesteak will tell you that making this seemingly simple sandwich is actually an art form.

Though the ingredients remain the same, thin-sliced top round, cheese, "wit" or "witout" onions as a true native of Philly would say, peppers, mushrooms, and an airy, flakey roll acting as the vessel of your consumption.

Cortina's may have the best cheesesteak this side of Philly itself. Their beef is flavorful, and the melted provolone they put over the top is so hot that it combines with the juices from the freshly sautéed steak to make a cheese sauce you will savor with every bite.

At Cortina's ordering a cheesesteak "wit" sautéed onions means ordering it with peppers too.

Do not miss this-they use a medley of red, yellow and green peppers that add a touch of sweetness to the sandwich. Once you have this cheesesteak sandwich, all others will pale in comparison.

Another marvelous sandwich you can find on the menu at Cortina's is the smoked chicken sandwich. They use smoked chicken breast cut thin and piled high with lettuce, tomato, your choice of cheese and a sweet and spicy honey Dijon sauce. The sandwich tastes incredibly fresh, and that is because it is.

This is the secret to the sandwiches at Cortina's pizzeria. Right next door, actually connected to the restaurant, is Cortina's Italian Market.

The restaurant uses meats freshly sliced from the deli. The cheeses are also freshly sliced, and their supply of bread is delivered fresh-baked every morning and is completely gone by the end of the day.

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