The List

The 8 Best Sandwiches in New York

by James Mulcahy

No. 7 Sub; photo via Katy Pang on Flickr

This week is a big one in the world of sandwiches. The guys behind Torrisi Italian Specialties are set to open their more casual old-school Italian restaurant Parm for lunch service, which takes its name from their epic chicken parmigiana sandwich. The Meatball Shop also opened a third outpost on Monday, and sandwich fans should be excited since their meatball heros are one of the top sandwiches in the city according to our 2012 New York Restaurants Survey. So, what are the other best 'wiches in town, and will Parm find its way onto this list next year?

Take a look at the top eight below, and let us know which sandwich is your favorite in the comments.

Num Pang

140 E. 41st St. (bet. Lexington & 3rd Aves.)

Phone:
212-867-8889;
FoodDecorServiceCost
25
7
16
$13
Key to Ratings
“Cambodia’s answer” to the banh mi “craze”, this duo dispenses “damn-good” sandwiches “worth standing in line” for, with “more-than-fair” prices and “speedy service” sweetening the deal; the newer East 41st Street branch offers more seating than the Village original, but “no-frills” describes both locations.

Meatball Shop

84 Stanton St. (bet. Allen & Orchard Sts.)

Phone:
212-982-8895;
FoodDecorServiceCost
24
17
19
$23
Key to Ratings
An “original concept” that “works”, this “rapidly expanding” meatball specialist offers “mouthwatering” orbs “served in a variety of ways” plus “even better” “make-your-own ice cream sandwiches”; “can’t-go-wrong” pricing ensures the “no-frills” setups are “always packed.”

Defonte's Sandwich Shop

261 Third Ave. (21st St.)

Phone:
212-614-1500;
FoodDecorServiceCost
24
10
18
$15
Key to Ratings
“Don’t eat for a week” before attacking the “two-handed” “Dagwood” sandwiches at these “lip-smacking” Italian sub shops; the ’20s-era Red Hook prototype “used to feed the longshoremen” and still exudes a whiff of “old-fashioned Brooklyn.”

Porchetta

110 E. Seventh St. (bet. Ave. A & 1st Ave.)

Phone:
212-777-2151;
FoodDecorServiceCost
25
10
18
$18
Key to Ratings
“The holy grail” for “swine” lovers, chef Sara Jenkins’ East Village “one-trick pony” vends only Italian roast pork – whether as “scrumptious” “signature sandwiches” or platters – plus a few sides; given the “tiny”, six-seat setup, it’s “basically a take-out place.”

No. 7 Sub

1188 Broadway (bet. 28th & 29th Sts.)

Phone:
212-532-1680;
FoodDecorServiceCost
23
17
18
$26
Key to Ratings
Fort Greene locals and BAM-goers seeking something “original” hit this “relaxed”, “hipster”-friendly New American known for “inventive” combos that sound “bizarre” but generally “hit the flavor Lotto”; similarly “odd pairings work magic” in sandwich form at the “laid-back” Ace Hotel, Greenpoint and Plaza Food Hall take-out spin-offs.

Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches

150 E. Second St. (Ave. A)

Phone:
212-388-1088;
FoodDecorServiceCost
22
7
16
$11
Key to Ratings
Banh-vivants hype these cash-only Vietnamese “holes-in-the-wall” for their “out-of-this-world” banh mi sandwiches stuffed with “savory, spicy” ingredients; there’s “no atmosphere” and not much service, but the “price is right” and portions quite “ample.”

Peanut Butter & Co.

240 Sullivan St. (bet. Bleecker & W. 3rd Sts.)

Phone:
212-677-3995;
FoodDecorServiceCost
21
15
19
$15
Key to Ratings
“Kitschy and creative”, this Village “niche” “celebrates peanut butter in all its glory” with sammies spanning the “classics” to “concoctions you’d never think of”; it’s a surefire hit “with the kids”, though the “bare-bones” digs are “tight if you eat in.”

Press 195

195 Fifth Ave. (bet. Berkeley Pl. & Union St.)

Phone:
718-857-1950;
FoodDecorServiceCost
22
14
18
$21
Key to Ratings
“Delicious things” are “pressed between delicious breads” at these “tiny” panini purveyors in Bayside and Park Slope; “out-of-this-world” fries, “inexpensive” costs and “great gardens” are compensation for the “takes-forever” service.
Posted on November 7, 2011 11:55
Tags: The Meatball Shop, Torrisi Italian Specialties

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