Cardona’s Market today reintroduced the eponymous celebrity sandwich named for Siena University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gerry McNamara, which featured an additional “zip”, just prior to the start of the Saints’ 2025-26 campaign.
The family-owned Italian market and catering company hosted a ceremonial “first bite” for the enhanced “G-Mac” sandwich, with both McNamara and Siena senior guard Justice Shoats in attendance. The relaunch was highlighted by the debut of an added “zip”, in honor of the nickname of Shoats, the unanimous Preseason First Team All-MAAC Selection.
“I’m excited to enter my second year as head coach of the Siena men’s program and look forward to continuing to support the Capital Region Boys and Girls Club with this appetizing creation, which has been enhanced with a ‘zip’ thanks to Justice Shoats,” said McNamara. “I would like to thank Cardona’s for their recognition and support of both Siena Basketball and the Boys and Girls Club.”
The G-Mac is a chicken cutlet tossed in Cardona’s Tomato Basil Cream Sauce, topped with field greens, sliced tomato, red onion, banana peppers, provolone and balsamic glaze, and served on a toasted roll. Cardona’s customers can now choose to add the new “zip” to their sandwich, which is made from a house made chili oil infused with chili flakes, shallots, garlic, smoked paprika, salt and pepper, which will provide a subtle heat finish when drizzled over the chicken and the bread.
“The G-Mac quickly ascended to become one of our most popular offerings following its debut last year, and we are thrilled to relaunch it with the added option of a ‘zip’,” said Cardona’s Co-Owner and Executive Chef Robert Cardona Jr. “We hope today marks a new era for this delicious creation and is the start of a memorable year for the Saints. We wish them the very best during the upcoming season.”
Partial proceeds from all sales during the college basketball season will again support the Capital Region Boys and Girls Club, who received a donation of $1,500 following the sandwich’s robust launch last season.
Meanwhile, fans will also receive a complimentary homemade Cardona’s cookie when either the Siena men or Siena women score at least 80 points at home this season. The benchmark is in honor of Cardona’s Market’s 80th anniversary. Fans must present their game ticket from MVP Arena or UHY Center on the following day at any Cardona’s Market location to receive their free cookie.
The G-Mac is available at all three Cardona’s Market locations: 340 Delaware Avenue in Albany; 9 Cobbee Road in Latham; and 222 Washington Street in Saratoga Springs. The Albany and Latham markets are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the Saratoga market is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All three locations are open on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Selected to finish second in the MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Siena men will tip-off their 2025-26 campaign at MVP Arena on Monday, November 3 at 7 p.m. versus Bryant. The Saints will also host crosstown rivals UAlbany in the annual Albany Cup on Friday, November 21 at MVP Arena.
The Siena women will begin their season at home under second year head coach Terry Primm on Tuesday, November 4 when they host Colgate at UHY Center.
Siena men’s and women’s basketball tickets can be purchased by contacting the Siena Fan Relations Management Center at (518) 487-2202, online at sienasaints.com/tickets, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Cardona’s Market was named 2024 Family Business of the Year by the Albany Business Review and was once again voted Best Caterer of the Capital Region for the fourth consecutive year by Times Union readers.
For more information about Cardona’s Market, call (518) 434-4838 or visit CardonasMarket.com.
