Take a Look Inside Italian Sandwich Haven La Matta

East side Italian sandwich shop La Matta opened today at 501 Comal Street. The newest member of the New Waterloo family (which includes Sway and Le Politique), La Matta is a precursor to another forthcoming Italian restaurant, Il Brutto, coming in early 2018.

La Matta (which means “The Joker” in Italian card games) serves panini, salads, charcuterie, beer, and wine in a brightly colored 1,600 square foot shop at the bottom of The Arnold. Chef Erind Halilaj was previously involved with Obicà Mozzarella Bar in New York, so the cheese plates should be solid. The restaurant also has a small patio and a few games to play, including La Scopa, the Italian national card game.

Eater photographer Courtney Pierce took a tour through the colorful shop and snapped a few of the signature culinary offerings from chef Halilaj (who will oversee Il Brutto as well). La Matta is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, and kicked off the first day of business by offering free sandwiches through delivery app Favor.

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

Courtney Pierce/EATX

• New East 6th Italian Sandwich Shop Slings Paninis Soon [EATX]
• All coverage of La Matta [EATX]