National Sandwich Week: The Only Sandwiches You’ll Need in New York
New York is synonymous with ‘the sandwich’. Discover who makes the best one below.
The softest bread, the flavourful meat, the cheeky pickle, the creamy cheese — you know the one. Here are our top picks of where to find that crave hitting sandwich when you’re out and about in the city. Whether you want a salty decadent steamed bun, a huge Italian sub, a sloppy patty, a delicate vegetarian avocado thing or a filled lox bagel with the thickest cut salmon and the creamiest cheese we got it all. Below are our top six; check out the full guide on Pearlshare to discover your closest pick.
The Big Apple? More like The Big Pastrami on Rye.
Lobster Roll: Luke’s Lobster
Not only do these lobster rolls taste so, so good but it’s all sustainably sourced so there’s no guilt as there so often is with seafood. This seafood counter-style restaurant first opened its doors in the East Village in 2009 with a focus on sustainability and local sourcing, serving Maine-style lobster rolls with toasted buns, clam chowder, local desserts, natural sodas and microbrews. Today it retains all of it’s original values, and has branched out into a couple of other locations. However, the original is always the best.
Italian Sub: Sal, Kris & Charlie’s Deli
This traditional NYC delicatessen is on first glance just a no-frills, old-fashioned grocery store, with an array of classic drinks and old-school groceries; the kind your grandparents would have loved and adored. However, for those in the know, it is actually home to an infamous NYC sandwich, known simply as ‘The BOMB’. I don’t want to give it away — but essentially if you like your portions big, then this is your new favourite takeaway.
Vegan Sub: The Cinnamon Snail
If you’re a longtime vegan or just trying it out, then you need to make a pilgrimage to this place. Everything here tastes mind-blowing, from savoury to sweet. The permanent stall version of the incredibly popular food truck of the same name, this small stall at the Pennsy Local food hall serves up vegan sandwiches, burgers and pastries to a hungry, hip and health conscious crowd. Our favourite sandwich is the Thanksgiving Sandoo, but they’re all great.
Lox Bagel: Russ & Daughters Cafe
Beginning in 1914 as a pushcart vendor, The Russ & Daughters Cafe is still owned by the original family and is modelled on their 100-year-old Lower East Side store. The cafe continues to serve Jewish comfort food including smoked fish, bagels, and bialy’s using original recipes. In our opinion, it serves the best smoked salmon in New York. If you’re looking for the perfect lox bagel, then the classic one here is awesome. Prepare to wait — but it’s worth it.
BBQ Brisket Sandwich: Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue
There’s nothing quite like seeing a guy lay a perfect brisket down then cut into it right in front of you. The sandwiches here are huge, juicy and hard to beat. This Louisville style BBQ joint operates in three different locations in NYC, but we think this is the best in terms of service, style and sweet sweet brisket. Go here if you’re looking for a hip counter-serve eatery featuring a menu of huge slabs of seasoned brisket, slaws, beans and craft beers.
Steamed Bun: Baohaus
Opened by celebrity chef Eddie Huang on Christmas Eve 2009, this small Taiwanese eatery with trendy graffiti decor and limited seating is known for their steamed buns filled with rich fatty pork belly, light spiced chicken or fresh battered fish. There are no words to describe the intensity of the pork belly steam buns you can get here. Salty, fatty, juicy, rich… utter heaven. Although not a traditional sandwich, this place is our overall favourite.
For so many more sandwiches (only the best of the best though) then check out the full map guide below. You never know, you might be passing by one day:
