Paisan's, Madison WI - Garibaldi Sandwich

Yesterday afternoon, whilst browsing the grocery store aisles trying to think of something I might hastily assemble for the family during halftime of today's Bears game, I recalled something my father used to make for us as kids under just such circumstances. As I recall, his Garibaldi consisted, from the bottom up, of half a Gonnella roll, grainy mustard (Pommery), salami, ham, sliced tomatoes, sliced green peppers and swiss cheese served open face and broiled. Shockingly, a bit of cursory internet research suggests that his version of the Garibaldi Sandwich wasn't too far off! Memory of such details was never his strong point.

In any case, I've now become curious about its precise composition. I've been unable to find any photos online, at least not any with a whiff of authority, and the only descriptions I can find mimic the Paisan's menu, which paints the broad strokes but leaves a good deal up to the imagination:

Paisan's Menu wrote:Garibaldi™
A 1957 Paisan's original. Layers of ham, salami, spicy cheese, tomatoes and your choice of green or banana peppers.

Anybody been to Paisan's and had one of these fellows? Are they open face? What type of bread? What does "spicy cheese" mean, precisely? Was the mustard my father's addition? I'm now resolved to attempt a recreation, since a trip to Madison anytime in the foreseeable future seems unlikely.

I actually have had the Garibaldi sandwich at Paisan's...several times, in fact. But it has probably been about 10 years. It was served like a hot sub sandwich, can't remember if it was technically open-faced or not. Not much different from what you'd get at a Quizno's or something like that. I don't remember mustard on it, no green peppers and it's possible they used pepper jack. If I were you, I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at Paisan's. It's not really that good, and I basically went there b/c coworkers wanted to go. I stuck to the sandwich b/c their pasta wasn't good.

Just stick with your dad's version! Sounds delicious.

Paisan's of 1957 is not the Paisan's of today.
In 1957 Paisan's was at the South West corner of University Avenue and Park St.
Since then it has moved a couple of times. The original location was a staple of mine during the 1960's while attending the University of Wisconsin. Good Pizza, sandwiches and German Lowenbrau Light (not Miller type Light) and Dark on tap. Great place.
I mainly remember spicy banana peppers about the original Garibaldi and we make ours with good crusty Italian or French bread, whatever type cheese you want, Salami, Pepperoni or whatever and a little vinegar and oil. I'm not saying that's the original, that's just how we make them.
My wife and I ate at another location many years ago and a friend and I ate at the present location about 7 years ago after riding our Mountain Bikes all over the Campus. Just not the same.-Dick

I dined at Paisan's just 2 weeks ago and had the Garibaldi sandwich. It was as wonderful 2 weeks ago as it was back in the 1970s! It is French bread with ham, salami, pepper jack cheese, tomatoes and your choice of either green or banana peppers. I choose banana peppers as I love hot, hot, hot. The bread has been toasted and it is served with a topper of the French bread (as in a real sandwich). I highly recommend this sandwich. It was worth the trip to Madison. WONDERFUL!!