That's too bad. Big Joe's is (was?) a Wilmington institution! Good luck to Joe in whatever he does.

Yes, Big Joe is closed. Whether you liked him or not he was well-known an a fixture in Wilmington for decades. Renaissance REALTORS helped him with the transaction. If you liked him let him know. He is very ill with cancer and that he has less than a year.

A member of the Screen Actors Guild, LaCreta was also a U.S. Marine who fought in the Korean War, a lifeguard at New Hampshire's Hampton Beach and, perhaps most notably, a professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation from the late 50s until the mid-70s—where he was undefeated against such intimidating opponents as Killer Kowalski and George (The Animal) Steele. He has appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including 1975's "Jaws," where he plays one of the bounty hunters hired to ensnare the rogue shark, and "The Last Detail," the 1973 film starring Jack Nicholson and Randy Quaid, where he portrays a Marine sergeant.

I know that Big Joe has had some health challenges. He has always been very nice to me. It has always been a history lesson each time I have gone into the restaurant. My prayers and well wishes for Joe go up to the Lord. Thank you for your hospitality, all the delicious food and great conversation Joe as well as the great entertainment. God Bless You Joe.

Joe LaCreta you will be missed by many here in Wilmington. Take care of yourself and thank you!

Joe is a nice guy. I enjoyed going into Big Joe's and talking with him. Joe I will keep you in my prayers.

My prayers go out to Big Joe.... loved grabbing a slice and hearing all his stories of the past!

Best Italian Sub ever made! God be with you and thank you for the memories!

I grew up with Joe. He made many steak bombs for me and they were the best . He also was the proprietor of three other locations. To me he was always friendly and just a great guy with a little bit corky personality and different. Aren’t we all in our own way? I am sure he is going to be missed another piece of Wilmington gone. A prayer and god bless you Joe from a long ago friend Bill Tucci

Very sorry to hear this sad news. I made sure to visit Big Joe's, whenever possible, on my trips east from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. My son, born and raised in Ft. Wayne, got to meet Joe and experience his great sandwiches also.

meatpie,subs it was all good,,the conversation was always good also

Joe, please know that my heart is with you. Such fond childhood memories of you as you worked out in your father's garage on Burlington Avenue, to working for you during my high school and college years. You are an amazing person!... With respect and love and admiration to a great man...Marshall B.

Heaven can wait. Joe is a great guy, kicks butt, and has my respect. His food was great, his humor real. When he makes it to those gates and meets G-d, I hope He treats him well. I can imagine Joe goin' over that counter if he needs to! Thumbs up, Joe!

A couple friends of mine and I ate at Big Joe’s about a half dozen years ago. We were in town for a shooting tournament in Billerica, and the rail stop near his shop is the one we took to go into Boston one day. We ended up eating there after we came back. Wasn’t really planning on being there long, but we ended up staying there chatting with him for well over an hour. It’s a memory I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I think about it and him from time to time, and was always hoping to make it back to his shop if I was ever in the area again. Sadly it seems my time to do that has passed. Hope you enjoy your retirement Big Joe!

They don't make them like Big Joe any more. I was only in there a couple of times but his jokes stuck with me as did his larger than life personality. I don't even remember if I liked the food all that much (good meatballs, right?) but it was secondary to the man himself. God bless you, Big Joe.

Big joes won't be closed for good will be open soon under new management .
In my dealings with mr Lacreta I could right away notice his big personality and up front kind of guy
Mr Lacreta is dealing with some health issues and my prayers are with him.
Gerry Cabral