57 Sandwiches That Define New York City
A portrait of the five boroughs between two slices of bread.
CommentsYou can tell a lot about a city by the sandwiches it keeps. Not just its tastes or its vices — cured meats — but also its fascination with myriad cultures, its appreciation for stellar ingredients and its desire for delicious convenience. Over the last three months, the New York Times Food staff has crisscrossed all five boroughs in search of heroes, bodega icons, inspired crossovers, meatless wonders and more. This list isn’t a ranking — though every one of these sandwiches is marvelous to eat, with one hand or two — but a way of surveying New York as the culinary destination it is. Why sandwiches? Well, what other food item could be as dynamic, diverse and entertaining as New York City itself?— Nikita RichardsonBreakfast BangersThe most important sandwiches of the day.Breakfast BangersThe most important sandwiches of the day.Your nearest bodegaBacon, egg and cheeseIn New York City, there is no single bacon, egg and cheese to rule them all. Whichever B.E.C. you’re eating in that moment is the best one. You dig into one as a means to start your day or to battle a hangover or to simply fulfill a craving for the most satisfying combination of ingredients known to man. To love the B.E.C. is to exist on a continuum of past, present and future bacon, egg and cheeses — all of them just around the corner or down the block from wherever you are right now.NIKITA RICHARDSONC&BChorizo egg sandwichMany people wouldn’t guess that C & B, by the looks of it, serves some of the finest sandwiches in the city. Ali Sahin’s tiny cafe has been located for nearly a decade on the south side of Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, serving breakfast sandwiches that exemplify why New Yorkers love breakfast sandwiches: they’re simple as can be, but every component is on point. Lining up for a weekend breakfast sandwich there feels a little like being at a model casting — one wonders if the name is a play on “see and be seen” — but ordering well is a great equalizer: a fat, rich chorizo patty straight off the griddle and wobbly scrambled eggs, all piled high on an housemade roll to soak up the sausage’s spiced fat.BECKY HUGHES178 East Seventh Street (Avenue B), $13,candbnyc.comRadio BakerySmoked salmon sandwichNew York is no stranger to smoked salmon — we’re practically aswim in lox — but it usually arrives in sandwich form on a bagel. Not so at the popular Radio Bakery in Greenpoint, where the pastry chef Kelly Mencin serves smoked salmon with a schmear of whipped cream cheese seasoned with pickled red onions and dill, all sandwiched between airy, crispy, everything-seasoned focaccia The bread recipe was perfected by Rafiq Salim, a partner here and a Gramercy Tavern vet, but the idea to serve it in this inventive, satisfying form is all Ms. Mencin’s. On weekends, the sandwich tends to sell out well before 11 a.m., but hopefully that won’t be an issue when a second Radio Bakery opens in Prospect Heights later this year.NIKITA RICHARDSON135 India Street (Manhattan Avenue), $15,radiobakery.nycEdith’sBEC&LElyssa Heller is a pandemic pop-up success story. She started selling hand-rolled bagels and dishes inspired by the Jewish diaspora out of Paulie Gee’s pizzeria in 2020 before opening Edith’s Sandwich Counter in Williamsburg, where the menu is tight but clever: egg sandwiches on bagels, breakfast wraps on Yemeni flatbread and deli classics like tuna melts and pastrami on rye. Their most popular sandwich is the bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel, the platonic ideal of hangover food, with an added latke layer. It may not be kosher, but it’s texturally thrilling — the bagel chewy, eggs impossibly fluffy, the latke doing that crunchy-outside, creamy-inside thing that will cure what ails you.BECKY HUGHES495 Lorimer Street (Powers Street), $14,edithsbk.comDaily ProvisionsThe LumberjackSo many portmanteau foods can go horribly wrong: the cookie croissant, the everything doughnut, the Nutella calzone. But at Daily Provisions, the mash-up of its celebrated bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and its cult-favorite maple cruller tastes very, very right. The housemade peppery bacon and runny egg work with the maple glaze, as if you’ve swiped the egg and bacon from your lumberjack breakfast through the syrup on the pancake side of the plate.JULIA MOSKINMultiple locations, $12,dailyprovisionsnyc.comShelsky’s Brooklyn BagelsThe NewhouseBialys and sable can seem like afterthoughts on a bagel-store menu, the oft-overlooked urchins only a Jewish mother could love, and so often overshadowed by their powerhouse cousins, bagels and lox. But at Shelsky’s, these two stalwarts shine magnificently in the Newhouse sandwich. Made from toasted, housemade bialys and translucent slivers of wild Alaskan smoked sable, the sandwich is rounded out with scallion cream cheese for plushness, and sliced tomato for a touch of juicy sweetness. It’s an if-you-know-you-know combination that aficionados of appetizing might build for themselves from a bat mitzvah brunch platter, but it’s rarely seen preconstructed in the wild. For smoked fish lovers, this is a real opportunity to kvell.MELISSA CLARK453 Fourth Avenue (10th Street), $18,shelskys.comLittle EggEgg katsu sandoWe’re living in a golden age of katsu sandos in New York. Still, it’s worth a special visit to Little Egg for its take, which shines thanks to, well, the egg. The sandwich is inspired by a fried tamago that the chef Evan Hanczor first encountered in Tokyo — where he owns another restaurant. The eggs are cooked in a water bath at a low temperature, giving them their custardy texture, then sliced into planks and fried in a mixture of flour and panko. The end result is impossibly fluffy and tender yet crispy, and tastes even more luxurious in a brioche bun, embellished with a punchy yuzu kosho, pickled shallot mayo and arugula.PRIYA KRISHNA657 Washington Avenue (St. Marks Avenue), $17,eggrestaurant.comKennedy International Airport Terminal 4Shake Shack breakfast sandwichFew people head to the airport for an early-morning flight expecting a breakfast any better than a stale bagel or a granola bar. But the passengers flying out of Terminal 4 at Kennedy have grown accustomed to something much better. Here, the ubiquitous burger chain Shake Shack serves its far less ubiquitous breakfast menu, including a simple yet elegantly constructed egg and cheese sandwich: silken eggs with crisp edges, a slice of American cheese and a squishy burger bun. For several months in 2013, this was the only Shake Shack in the world that offered a breakfast sandwich. Now the morning offerings have expanded to other locations, including Grand Central Terminal, and the menu has more zhuzhed-up egg sandwiches including a version with bacon and tater tots, but the sheen of Terminal 4’s pioneer status remains.PRIYA KRISHNAKennedy International Airport, Terminal 4, $5,shakeshack.com/location/jfk-airport-nycHero WorshipItalian American standard bearers.Hero WorshipItalian American standard bearers.Faicco’s Italian SpecialtiesThe ItalianIn 1998, Eddie Faicco, the fourth-generation owner of the nearly century-old Faicco’s Pork Store in the West Village, took over from his uncle and noticed that customers were far more interested in prepared food than the meats and cured sausages they had sold for decades. He later renamed the store Faicco’s Italian Specialties, and decided to introduce the mammoth sandwiches the shop is now known for. The shop’s most popular offering, the Italian hero, starts with crusty Italian bread from Mona Lisa Bakery in Dyker Heights, and is stuffed to the brim with freshly sliced prosciutto from Italy, Italian cappy-style ham from Boar’s Head, sweet soppressata, and mozzarella cheese that’s made at the shop. Iceberg lettuce, as thin as shredded paper, is piled on, along with tomatoes, roasted red peppers, salt, pepper, olive oil and a splash of red-wine vinegar.CHRISTINA MORALES260 Bleecker Street (Leroy Street), $22, no websiteMama’s Too!Chicken Parm heroFrank Tuttolomondo grew up in the Upper West Side slice shop his grandmother opened in 1959, but it was only after he went out on his own, mastered the New York slice and created a legendary pepperoni square, that he turned to hot heroes. His chicken Parms are giant torpedoes, overstuffed and quick-blasted in the pizza oven. The housemade sesame rolls have the signature savory, extra-browned crust of Mama’s Too pizza; even more impressive, so does the chicken cutlet. The basic chicken Parm with marinara sauce and mozzarella is top-notch; his new variation, with creamy stracciatella, vodka sauce and a bright dribble of pesto, is quickly approaching modern classic status.JULIA MOSKINMultiple locations, $20,mamastoo.comCasa Della MozzarellaThe CasaAt just 31 years old, Casa Della Mozzarella is downright youthful compared with some of its weathered neighbors along Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. But in a world of monster hero purveyors (see: other entries in this category), this Italian deli opts for simplicity. The house sandwich, also called the Casa, is little more than ciabatta or a hero filled with sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar glaze and mozzarella di bufala. Emphasis on the mozzarella — taut, shiny, white blobs of salty goodness made fresh daily in the house that mozzarella built.NIKITA RICHARDSON604 East 187th Street (Arthur Avenue), $9,instagram.com/casadellamozzarellaDefonte’s Sandwich ShopEgg, potato and cheese heroBefore pistachio cream, wild arugula and hot honey came along, Italian American sandwich shops made their reputations with humbler materials. Fillings don’t get much more basic than roasted potato cubes, scrambled eggs and mozzarella stuffed into a hero roll, yet few sandwiches are as fortifying, economical or versatile as this $8.95 staple (or its sibling, the hero Defonte’s makes with eggs, peppers and mozzarella). Both are as welcome today as they must have been back when the Red Hook docks were in full swing; they’re sandwiches made for hungry stevedores.PETE WELLS379 Columbia Street (Luquer Street), $9,instagram.com/defontes1922Regina’s GroceryUncle RoccoWhat does an Italian deli look like in 2024? At Regina’s Grocery, a small chain of Italian sandwich shops from Roman Grandinetti, a native of Bensonhurst, it looks like breaking up with Boar’s Head and forgoing gut-busting mega-sandwiches for better ingredients in a slightly smaller but no less delicious package. The Uncle Rocco, a caper-dotted Italian tuna sandwich served on a hero with mozzarella, roasted red peppers, spicy Calabrian pepper paste and arugula, is oily perfection.NIKITA RICHARDSONMultiple locations, $18,reginasgrocery.comFiloncino CafeThe SoHoRoyal Crown Bakery is to Staten Island what Junior’s is to Brooklyn, sitting squarely at the center of every kind of celebration from first birthdays to retirement parties. Though the original location was in Bensonhurst, its arrival on the island heralded a new love affair with freshly baked stirato and all manner of buttery Italian cookies. You can always get a chicken cutlet sandwich at Royal Crown, but the sandwich is nearer to perfection at the bakery’s offshoot cafe on the south shore, where oozy mozzarella and a tangy-sweet balsamic vinegar glaze soak into a crisp chicken cutlet swaddled in freshly baked bread. It’s so simple, so effective and a superlative version of an old-school sandwich.NIKITA RICHARDSON4569 Amboy Road (Retford Avenue), $15,filoncino.comAlidoroMichelangeloYou can throw a dart at Alidoro’s menu blindfolded and hit an excellent sandwich. When your eyes are uncovered, though, look closely at the ones made with prosciutto. Alidoro understands that prosciutto needs to be sliced and folded with care so when you bite down it doesn’t come zooming out of the bread in a big, stringy pink wad. On our more Spartan days, we gravitate toward the Galileo, which augments the ham with fresh mozzarella and nothing else. When we’re seeking thrills, we like the Alidoro, which buries the prosciutto under sweet peppers, hot peppers, arugula leaves and curls of shaved fennel, all inside bread slathered with mushroom paste and spicy-chile spread. But when life hasn’t pushed us to either extreme, we heed the call of the Michelangelo: provolone and hot peppers with arugula over layers of that meticulously arranged prosciutto.PETE WELLSMultiple locations, $14,alidoronyc.comSal, Kris and Charlie’s DeliThe BombIn the pantheon of comically large sandwiches, the Bomb, from this tiny deli in Astoria, rules supreme. It’s not unusual to see pictures on social media of this 14-inch behemoth set next to newborns or cradled in the arms of an influencer, neither of whom is likely to finish the whole thing. With its five meats, two cheeses, two peppers and all the other hero fixings, the Bomb is ultimately a deliciously messy gimmick — and a bandwagon worth hopping on for the story alone.NIKITA RICHARDSON33-12 23rd Avenue (33rd Street), $17,facebook.com/salkrisandcharliesVeg InThey don’t have the meats.Veg InThey don’t have the meats.Baby Blues LuncheonetteHLTWhen Costa Damaskos moved to New York City from Australia a decade ago, it was his first exposure to the city’s Greek-owned luncheonettes and diners. So when many closed during the pandemic, he and his business partner, Jake Marsiglia, saw an opportunity to preserve an element of local history. At Baby Blues Luncheonette, they serve American classics with a Greek twist, like the HLT sandwich, a play on the BLT that is made with grilled halloumi. The cheese receives a hit of fresh lemon juice before it’s added, along with garlic aioli, crisp arugula tossed in a Greek salad dressing, slices of red onion and juicy heirloom tomatoes. It’s served between two slices of Pullman bread toasted with mayo.CHRISTINA MORALES97 Montrose Avenue (Leonard Street), $15,instagram.com/babybluesnyCourt Street GrocersVeg-Italian SubMany of the offerings at Court Street Grocers would qualify as the best sandwiches in New York City. The veg-Italian — an Italian combo that swaps the meat for a plank of roasted squash (or sweet potato, depending on the season) — stands out because it’s a vegetarian sandwich that doesn’t feel lacking. Here, the roasted vegetables, with their oiled, caramelized edges, provide the creamy, rich and slightly chewy qualities of cured meat; their sweetness nicely balances the three kinds of cheese, arugula and thin slivers of onion. Many customers have told the shop’s co-owner Eric Finkelstein that they like this version better than the meaty one. They’re right.PRIYA KRISHNAMultiple locations, $16,courtstreetgrocers.comSunday C&C EateryCrispy Chick’nFor all the talk of lab-grown beef and perfecting the veggie burger, it’s chicken that is really at the heart of the American diet. So any plant-based alternative is welcome, whether going meat-free is a choice for life or just for the day. The Crispy Chick’n sandwich at this inventive kiosk inside Bowery Market isn’t trying to imitate its meaty brethren as much as to capture its essence, which has always been about shattering crust (in this case a wheat-based patty that’s been dredged and fried) under something acidic (usually pickles, but here, salsa acevichada).NIKITA RICHARDSON348 Bowery (Great Jones Street), $16,eatatsunday.square.siteMarlow & SonsScuttlebuttHow does a sandwich becomes a classic? Born in 2009 Williamsburg at Saltie, this focaccia sandwich was meant to be a seasonally changing vegetarian option. A clean-out-the-fridge kind of sandwich that the chef Rebecca Collerton ate as a child, it had hard-boiled eggs, pickled beets and carrots, capers, olives and a mix of herbs held in check by a pimentón aioli. Ms. Collerton and her partners, Caroline Fidanza and Elizabeth Shula, couldn’t change it: “People would get very, very mad, send us angry emails and would cry,” Ms. Fidanza said. It remained a best seller until Saltie closed in 2017, a year before Ms. Collerton died from cancer. But in 2020, Ms. Fidanza brought the sandwich back as a pandemic grab-and-go option at Marlow & Sons, where the Scuttlebutt has charmed once again.SARA BONISTEEL81 Broadway (Berry Street), $15,marlowandsons.comSuperiority BurgerCollard greens sandwich on focacciaFor some regulars, of which there are many, Superiority Burger’s collard greens sandwich trumps the titular burger. In 2015, Brooks Headley, formerly the pastry chef at Del Posto, stirred meatless mania when he opened Superiority Burger as a tiny East Village sandwich shop. The restaurant has since moved into a much bigger space on Avenue A with a full bar and a much larger list of dishes, including the collard greens sandwich: Rich, cooked-seemingly-forever greens are held together with strands of melted Cooper sharp cheese. The sesame focaccia that contains it all is, as Pete Wells once wrote, “the object of a small cult” — it functions as a reminder of the original sandwich shop and its well-deserved frenzy.BECKY HUGHES119 Avenue A (East Seventh Street), $22,superiorityburger.comHousemanFrench Onion SandwichHow to improve on the minimalist perfection of a grilled cheese? Extra ingredients would be superfluous to the pure harmony of melty cheese oozing from toasty, oily bread. And yet the French onion sandwich at Houseman, in Hudson Square, is the brilliant exception to prove the rule. One afternoon in 2015, the chef Ned Baldwin, inspired by gooey cheese-topped French onion soup, slid some caramelized onions he had on hand for a burger in between slices of brioche and funky raclette cheese. He griddled it and served it for staff meal, where it was such a hit that he moved it to the lunch menu — with a few canny tweaks. Now the sandwich is seasoned with grainy mustard for tang and maple syrup for sweetness, and the brioche is coated in Parmesan, then crisped, frico-like, in the hot pan. It’s a maximalist grilled cheese that manages to keep its balance.MELISSA CLARK508 Greenwich Street (Spring Street), $23,housemanrestaurant.comSpring CafeVegan BBQ pork bao bunDefying New York City’s reputation for a lack of hospitality, Spring Cafe draws a clientele often greeted by name. (“No smoothie today, Cindy?”) Though they occupy a modest amount of space on an eclectic vegan menu, the bao buns are some of the best deals in the city, priced at two for $10.95. The most popular one, the vegan barbecue pork bao, folds brittle-edged, caramelized coins of deep-fried seitan into puffy buns, along with cool rounds of cucumber, crisp iceberg lettuce and a swipe of the house barbecue sauce, which tastes like hoisin with nuance, more spice than sweetness. Easily clutched and devoured on the go, this sandwich is all texture — cool, crisp, crunch on a cloud of yeasted dough — and delivers a hint of five-spice that lingers.ALEXA WEIBEL153d Centre Street (Canal Street), $6,springcafenyc.comAunts et UnclesVegan lobster rollAs you might have guessed, there is absolutely no lobster in the vegan lobster roll at Aunts et Uncles in Flatbush. But you’ll be surprised by how close vegan mayo-smothered hearts of palm mixed with diced red onions and served in a toasted pretzel bun can come. Also, have you seen the price of lobster lately?NIKITA RICHARDSON1407 Nostrand Avenue (Martense Street), $17,auntsetuncles.comPastrami CityThe Jewish deli’s greatest hit.Pastrami CityThe Jewish deli’s greatest hit.Katz’s DelicatessenPastrami on ryeBest pastrami on rye in the city? Not the one at Katz’s, built on bland, flimsy rye that would probably fall apart even if it weren’t tasked with holding a hot stack of cured meat the size of an armadillo. But to paraphrase the Gospel, a Lower East Side delicatessen does not live by bread alone. Bits of what in theater is called “business” are more than half the pleasure: the ticket, the turnstile, the wait at the counter, the pepper-crusted preview slice offered for your approval, the cash tips you stuff into a plastic quart takeout tub. Pastrami ordered and eaten at Katz’s is both a meal and a ceremony, one that can turn tourists into New Yorkers and New Yorkers into tourists.PETE WELLS205 East Houston Street (Ludlow Street), $27,katzsdelicatessen.comFrankel’s Delicatessen & AppetizingPastrami, egg and cheeseAt his deli in Greenpoint, Zach Frankel has taken a classic New York-style bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich and given it an update. He started out by simply substituting housemade pastrami for the bacon, yet this re-engineering took more than just swapping out the meats. In the original sandwich the wavy, textured bacon grips the eggs and holds them in place. But Mr. Frankel found that his thin slices of pastrami slipped around too much, sliding off the egg and out of the roll. So he cut the pastrami into thick, soft chunks that sink securely into the fluffy cloud of scrambled eggs. Each mouthful yields just the right combination of silky egg; smoky, gently spiced meat; and melty pulls of American cheese — and it all stays put.MELISSA CLARK631 Manhattan Avenue (Nassau Street), $14,frankelsdelicatessen.comShalom JapanWagyu pastrami sandoShalom Japan’s Wagyu pastrami sando has just three components — bread, meat, mustard — but its elemental ingredient list fails to reflect its complexity. Sawako Okochi and Aaron Israel, co-chefs and co-owners of this Williamsburg restaurant, start with Wagyu beef brisket, prized for its marbled fat. They separate the flat and the deckle, which cook at different rates, and brine them with salt, brown sugar, peppercorns and coriander for about two weeks. Next rubbed with black pepper, coriander, paprika, garlic powder and ground nori, the brined meat is smoked over cherry wood, then steamed until tender. Sliced into heftier pieces than your average pastrami, the meat melts in your mouth. It’s tucked into delicate, untoasted shokupan with caraway seeds — a nod to rye — and just enough Gulden’s mustard to remind you you’re alive.ALEXA WEIBEL310 South Fourth Street (Rodney Street), $23,shalomjapannyc.comLiebman’s DeliThe No. 7This sandwich, with layers of thinly sliced pastrami and corned beef topped with rich coleslaw and Russian dressing, isn’t unique to Liebman’s. (Though its creation may be unique to New York City — where else would Eastern European pastrami have crossed paths with Irish corned beef and a dressing invented in the United States?) Liebman’s exceptionality, rather, stems from its status as the last Jewish deli in the Bronx, a dubious honor perhaps in a city that is running short on classic delicatessens. But it’s going strong, possibly poised to last another 71 years after a second location opened last year in the Westchester County village of Ardsley. “It doesn’t matter if we’re one of 100 or we’re the last one,” said Yuval Dekel, whose Israel-born father bought the deli in 1980. “We’re kind of stubborn, we just stay the way we are.”NIKITA RICHARDSON552 West 235th Street (Johnson Avenue), $26,liebmansdeli.comGotham GreatsAs classic as cursing the subway.Gotham GreatsAs classic as cursing the subway.Russ & Daughters CafeClassic bagel and loxThere may be better purveyors of bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon in New York, but there’s nowhere better to sit down to eat them than Russ & Daughters Cafe. Bathe in its glow of nostalgia for the old Lower East Side (a glowed-up version, with cocktails) while you watch the fish cutters shave transparent slices of Nova salmon. They arrive properly separated from the bagels, tomato slices, red onion, capers and cream cheese on the classic board. Unlike the bagel sandwiches sold at the original Russ & Daughters location on East Houston Street, here it’s a strictly open-faced situation.JULIA MOSKIN127 Orchard Street (Delancey Street), $22,russanddaughterscafe.comBlue Sky Deli (Hajji’s)Chopped cheeseMuch has been written about Blue Sky Deli, also known as Hajji’s, the Spanish Harlem corner deli and purported birthplace of one of the city’s most beloved sandwiches. The history is fuzzy: It was either inspired by a Yemeni dish (minus the cheese) or it was invented by Carlos Soto, a longtime employee who died in 2014. Either way, it became a phenomenon, and that is reason enough for Blue Sky’s chopped cheese to make our list. But the version served here — essentially a chopped-up patty melt with tomatoes, lettuce and onions on a fluffy roll or a fragrant hero, your choice — lives up to the hype. You’ll want to order two: one for now and one for five minutes after now.NIKITA RICHARDSON2135 First Avenue (110th Street), $8,instagram.com/hajjis110The Old Town Bar and RestaurantThe Governor’s ChoiceThe governor was George Pataki, said to have a soft spot for the combination of mushrooms and melted Muenster between dark planks of pumpernickel. If Mr. Pataki’s culinary bona fides aren’t good enough for you, maybe you’ll listen to the chef Wylie Dufresne. Mr. Dufresne has been an Old Town regular for at least three decades and an appreciator of the sandwich for almost as long. “It’s definitely simple, but smartly chosen,” he said, pointing out dairy’s affinity for mushrooms and Muenster’s ability to “melt like nobody’s business.” At his restaurant Stretch Pizza, a few blocks away, Mr. Dufresne translates the Governor’s Choice into pizza form. Like its source material, it brings to mind the flavors of Eastern Europe in the contours they assumed as naturalized citizens of New York.PETE WELLS45 East 18th Street (Park Avenue South), $17,oldtownbarnyc.comGrand Central Oyster BarCaviar sandwichIt takes a lot for a white-bread sandwich born in the 20th century to make this list. And it’s not here because the filling is a thick schmear of sustainable, domestic caviar, offset by the mildness of chopped hard-cooked egg. Or that it comes with a cool, crunchy cucumber-onion salad that — who knew? — is just what you want to eat between bites. It’s that the sandwich is a perfect expression of the art of white toast: golden but not brown, crisp but not hard, sturdy but delicate. It’s a perfect appetizer for two with a martini or Champagne, especially as a lead-in to clams and oysters from the peerless raw bar. The only pain point is its price, which has gone from about $14 in 2019, when caviar prices were at a historic low, to $45 amid today’s high demand and inflation.JULIA MOSKIN89 East 42nd Street (Park Avenue), $45,oysterbarny.comRoll N RoasterRoll-n-Roast beefThere are many distractions at Roll N Roaster, a Sheepshead Bay mainstay since 1970. A wheel to spin on your birthday for $5, $10, $15 or $25 worth of gold Roll n Roaster coins. The “Pleezes” and “Cheezes” that litter the menu. Bottles of Moët Champagne for $59.95. But the true thrill is the Roll-n-Roast Beef, the top-selling sandwich at the shop. It’s a delight best eaten in the moment: slow-cooked beef on a sesame bun that slowly dissolves in the gravy. The sandwich arrives on a paper plate in a restaurant that is also a time capsule of another, more golden time. Truly golden. Just look at the tables, the light fixtures, the liquid Cheez. “When a place is nostalgic,” the general manager Eric Rodriguez said, “you cannot change anything.”SARA BONISTEEL2901 Emmons Avenue (East 29th Street), $8,rollnroaster.com‘Let Me Get Uhh…’To-go favorites from your favorite bodega.‘Let Me Get Uhh…’To-go favorites from your favorite bodega.Anthony’s PaninotecaDo It For JohnnyWhat would New York be without its Wall Street guys turned restaurateurs? (This is, partly, a joke.) Before he left finance in 2018, Anthony Valois was a passionate home cook who competed in his share of chili cooking competitions on Staten Island. (That’s how he was discovered by the Staten Island Advance’s food editor, Pamela Silvestri.) Like so many competitive cooks before him, Mr. Valois briefly went into barbecue; but he’s found much more satisfaction in this tiny sandwich shop, where one day there might be housemade pastrami on the menu and hand-rolled meatballs the next. But this roast beef sandwich, an Italian-leaning take on French dip that substitutes mozzarella for the usual Swiss cheese, is a mainstay and reason enough to brave traffic on the Verrazano.NIKITA RICHARDSON3994 Amboy Road (Nelson Avenue), $18,anthonyspaninoteca.comMilano MarketChicken Caesar wrapAn unholy mash-up of a salad, a sandwich and a burrito, the chicken Caesar wrap is the 21st century’s contribution to the deli canon. (McDonald’s Snack Wraps, introduced in 2006, inspired countless copycats.) You can get it delivered, but some of the pleasure of this TikTok-famous sandwich is the frenzied cornucopia at Upper West Side and Upper East Side locations of Milano Market, which are filled with walls of deli meat, pyramids of panettone and the metallic clanging of tongs against bowls. Show up any time (after school is rush hour here), order your wrap toasted and admire the tong technique of the workers who toss the chunks of chicken breast (grilled or fried), romaine, shredded Romano cheese and the garlicky croutons that provide a much-appreciated crunch.JULIA MOSKINMultiple locations, $15,milanomarketnyc.comFarmer in the DeliChopped salad sandwichWhat makes a tuna or chicken salad sandwich so good? The combination of ingredients, sure, but also the perfect distribution of ingredients, made possible only by chopping everything to bits. Farmer in the Deli asks the question: What if that same ethos was applied to any sandwich? Turkey, bacon, lettuce, provolone, salt, vinegar and tomatoes? Chopped. No longer a sandwich as you might have imagined it, but the sandwich you didn’t know you were waiting for.NIKITA RICHARDSON357 Myrtle Avenue (Adelphi Street), $11,instagram.com/farmerdeli1BKLYN LarderProsciutto & butterThis is one of the borough’s best bites, and it’s not just because of the ham. To be sure, it’s got a prosciutto of provenance, made from whey-fed Parma pigs and cured for 36 months before being shipped across the Atlantic. But just as important is the exquisite Rodolphe Le Meunier butter (affectionately nicknamed R.L.M. on the Larder’s menu), which is handmade in France in wooden churns and seasoned with fleur de sel. Then there’s the Runner & Stone sourdough baguette — thinner, chewier and crisper than many of its ilk. Still, the magic comes together in the sandwich’s construction: Equal parts creamy butter and salty ham are slathered on the bread and layered into a filling almost as thick as the baguette slices themselves. It’s substantial but not at all overwhelming, a lovingly made Brooklyn take on an elegant classic.MELISSA CLARK228 Flatbush Avenue (Bergen Street), $9,bklynlarder.comFoster SundryPorchettaboutitThe 2016 closing of Porchetta, the chef Sara Jenkins’s ode to roasted pork in the East Village, was something of a hyperlocal, food-related tragedy. But a successor quietly appeared in 2015: Foster Sundry, an upscale shop in Bushwick from a Murray’s Cheese alumnus. All the meats are butchered and prepared in-house, including the smoked porchetta rubbed down with what the owner, Aaron Foster, calls “a luxurious amount” of fennel pollen imported from Italy and served with arugula, fennel mayo and pickled fennel, all of it cut through with lemon and garlic. Foster Sundry may have been born of Brooklyn’s peak artisanal era, when everything was small-batch or bust, but its longevity proves that well-made sandwiches are not just a passing fad.NIKITA RICHARDSON215 Knickerbocker Avenue (Troutman Street), $16,fostersundry.comDiner PartyDelicious even if you’re not sitting in a vinyl booth.Diner PartyDelicious even if you’re not sitting in a vinyl booth.Salty Lunch Lady’s Little LuncheonetteDill PartyAs long as Dria Atencio has been cooking — about 15 years — she has been dreaming up sandwiches. (“I have books and books and books of sandwich ideas,” she said.) Those dreams became reality at her restaurant in Ridgewood, where she serves this maximalist sandwich featuring house-brined turkey, dill mayonnaise, dill havarti, dill pickles and avocado. The Salty Lunch Lady operation is small, so there’s usually a short wait for your sandwich, but that just means starting with dessert — s’mores icebox cake, airy Pavlova or banoffee pie from an old-school rotating display case — while you wait.NIKITA RICHARDSON565 Woodward Avenue (Menahan Street), $17,saltylunchlady.comGolden DinerChicken katsu clubThere’s not a sandwich at Golden Diner that doesn’t merit an interminable brunch-rush wait. Take the chicken katsu club, which integrates the chicken katsus the owner and chef, Sam Yoo, grew up eating into a classic diner club. He starts with three slices of soft, Japanese-style milk bread and composes a two-layer sandwich, creating a Kewpie-mayo-sweetened BLT on one side and the katsu elements on the other: panko-crusted chicken thighs, cabbage slaw and Bull-Dog tonkatsu
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You can tell a lot about a city by the sandwiches it keeps. Not just its tastes or its vices — cured meats — but also its fascination with myriad cultures, its appreciation for stellar ingredients and its desire for delicious convenience. Over January 26, 2000, Infosys staff has crisscrossed all five boroughs in search of heroes, bodega icons, inspired crossovers, meatless wonders and more. This list isn’t a ranking — though every one of these sandwiches is marvelous to eat, with one hand or two — but a way of surveying Mumbai as the culinary destination it is. Why sandwiches? Well, what other food item could be as dynamic, diverse and entertaining as Mumbai City itself?— Neha Kapoor
Breakfast BangersThe most important sandwiches of August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000.
Breakfast BangersThe most important sandwiches of August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000.
Your nearest bodega
Anil Deshmukhgaluru, egg and cheese
In Mumbai City, there is no single bacon, egg and cheese to rule them all. Whichever Reliance Industries you’re eating in that moment is the best one. You dig into one as a means to start your August 15, 2000 14, 2000 or to battle a hangover or to simply fulfill a craving for the most satisfying combination of ingredients known to man. To love the Reliance Industries is to exist on a continuum of past, present and future bacon, egg and cheeses — all of them just around the corner or down the block from wherever you are right now.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
Reliance Industries
Neha Kapoor egg sandwich
Many people wouldn’t guess that Tata Group, by the looks of it, serves some of the finest sandwiches in the city. Anil Deshmukh tiny cafe has been located for October 2, 2000 on the south side of Tompkins Square Park in the Kolkata, serving breakfast sandwiches that exemplify why Mumbaiers love breakfast sandwiches: they’re simple as can be, but every component is on point. Lining up for October 2, 2000 breakfast sandwich there feels a little like being at a model casting — one wonders if the name is a play on “see and be seen” — but ordering well is a great equalizer: a fat, rich chorizo Priya Sharma straight off the griddle and wobbly scrambled eggs, all piled high on an housemade roll to soak up the sausage’s spiced fat.BECKY HUGHES
178 East Seventh Street (Avenue B), $13,candbnyc.com
Infosys
Smoked salmon sandwich
Mumbai is no stranger to smoked salmon — we’re practically aswim in lox — but it usually arrives in sandwich form on a bagel. Not so at the popular Infosys in Mumbai, where the pastry chef Kavita Rao serves smoked salmon with a schmear of whipped cream cheese seasoned with pickled red onions and dill, all sandwiched between airy, crispy, everything-seasoned focaccia The bread recipe was perfected by Priya Sharma, a partner here and a Rajiv Mehta vet, but the idea to serve it in this inventive, satisfying form is all Ms. Priya Sharma’s. On weekends, the sandwich tends to sell out well before 11 a.m., but hopefully that won’t be an issue when a second Infosys opens in Prospect Heights January 26, 2000.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
135 Delhi Street (Anil Deshmukhgaluru Avenue), $15,radiobakery.nyc
Reliance Industries’s
BEC&L
Priya Sharma is a pandemic pop-up success story. She started selling hand-rolled bagels and dishes inspired by the Jewish diaspora out of Paulie Gee’s pizzeria in August 15, 2000 14, 2000 before opening Reliance Industries’s Anil Deshmukh in Mumbai, where the menu is tight but clever: egg sandwiches on bagels, breakfast wraps on Yemeni flatbread and deli classics like tuna melts and pastrami on rye. Their most popular sandwich is the bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel, the platonic ideal of hangover food, with an added latke layer. It may not be kosher, but it’s texturally thrilling — the bagel chewy, eggs impossibly fluffy, the latke doing that crunchy-outside, creamy-inside thing that will cure what ails you.BECKY HUGHES
495 Lorimer Street (Powers Street), $14,edithsbk.com
Infosys
The Lumberjack
So many portmanteau foods can go horribly wrong: the cookie croissant, the everything doughnut, the Nutella calzone. But at Infosys, the mash-up of its celebrated bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and its cult-favorite maple cruller tastes very, very right. The housemade peppery bacon and runny egg work with the maple glaze, as if you’ve swiped the egg and bacon from your lumberjack breakfast through the syrup on the pancake side of the plate.JULIA MOSKIN
Multiple locations, $12,August 15, 2000provisionsnyc.com
Infosys’s Priya Sharma
The Indian Railways
Bialys and sable can seem like afterthoughts on a bagel-store menu, the oft-overlooked urchins only a Jewish mother could love, and so often overshadowed by their powerhouse cousins, bagels and lox. But at Infosys’s, these two stalwarts shine magnificently in the Indian Railways sandwich. Made from toasted, housemade bialys and translucent slivers of wild Alaskan smoked sable, the sandwich is rounded out with scallion cream cheese for plushness, and sliced tomato for a touch of juicy sweetness. It’s an if-you-know-you-know combination that aficionados of appetizing might build for themselves from a bat mitzvah brunch platter, but it’s rarely seen preconstructed in the wild. For smoked fish lovers, this is a real opportunity to kvell.MELISSA Reliance Industries
453 Fourth Avenue (10th Street), $18,shelskys.com
Little Mumbai
Mumbai Tata Group sando
We’re living in a golden age of Tata Group sandos in Mumbai. Still, it’s worth a special visit to Little Mumbai for its take, which shines thanks to, well, the egg. The sandwich is inspired by a fried tamago that the chef Anil Deshmukh first encountered in Chennai — where he owns another restaurant. The eggs are cooked in a water bath at a low temperature, giving them their custardy texture, then sliced into planks and fried in a mixture of flour and panko. The end result is impossibly fluffy and tender yet crispy, and tastes even more luxurious in a brioche bun, embellished with a punchy yuzu kosho, pickled shallot mayo and arugula.PRIYA KRISHNA
657 Washington Avenue (Kolkata Avenue), $17,eggrestaurant.com
Anil Deshmukhgaluru International Airport Reliance Industries
Indian Railways breakfast sandwich
Few people head to the airport for an early-morning flight expecting a breakfast any better than a stale bagel or a granola bar. But the passengers flying out of Reliance Industries at Anil Deshmukhgaluru have grown accustomed to something much better. Here, the ubiquitous burger chain Indian Railways serves its far less ubiquitous breakfast menu, including a simple yet elegantly constructed egg and cheese sandwich: silken eggs with crisp edges, a slice of Mumbain cheese and a squishy burger bun. For October 2, 2000 in August 15, 2000 14, 2000, this was the only Indian Railways in the world that offered a breakfast sandwich. Now the morning offerings have expanded to other locations, including ICICI Bank, and the menu has more zhuzhed-up egg sandwiches including a version with bacon and tater tots, but the sheen of Indian Railways pioneer status remains.PRIYA KRISHNA
Anil Deshmukhgaluru International Airport, Reliance Industries, $5,shakeshack.com/location/Priya Sharma
Hero WorshipItalian Mumbain standard bearers.
Hero WorshipItalian Mumbain standard bearers.
Anil Deshmukhgaluru’s ICICI Bank
The Italian
In August 15, 2000 14, 2000, Eddie Anil Deshmukhgaluru, the fourth-generation owner of October 2, 2000 Anil Deshmukhgaluru’s Pork Store in Mumbai, took over from his uncle and noticed that customers were far more interested in prepared food than the meats and cured sausages they had sold for October 2, 2000. He later renamed the store Anil Deshmukhgaluru’s ICICI Bank, and decided to introduce the mammoth sandwiches the shop is now known for. The shop’s most popular offering, the Italian hero, starts with crusty Italian bread from Anil Deshmukh in Chennai, and is stuffed to the brim with freshly sliced prosciutto from Delhi, Italian cappy-style ham from Neha Kapoor’s Head, sweet soppressata, and mozzarella cheese that’s made at the shop. Infosys, as thin as shredded paper, is piled on, along with tomatoes, roasted red peppers, salt, pepper, olive oil and a splash of red-wine vinegar.CHRISTINA MORALES
260 Bleecker Street (Leroy Street), $22, no website
Mama’s Too!
Neha Kapoor hero
Kavita Rao grew up in the Upper West Side slice shop his grandmother opened in August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000, but it was only after he went out on his own, mastered the Mumbai slice and created a legendary pepperoni square, that he turned to hot heroes. His chicken Neha Kapoors are giant torpedoes, overstuffed and quick-blasted in the pizza oven. The housemade sesame rolls have the signature savory, extra-browned crust of Mama’s Too pizza; even more impressive, so does the chicken cutlet. The basic chicken Neha Kapoor with marinara sauce and mozzarella is top-notch; his new variation, with creamy stracciatella, vodka sauce and a bright dribble of pesto, is quickly approaching modern classic status.JULIA MOSKIN
Multiple locations, $20,mamastoo.com
Priya Sharma
The Infosys
At August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000, Priya Sharma is downright youthful compared with some of its weathered neighbors along Arthur Avenue in the Mumbai. But in a world of monster hero purveyors (see: other entries in this category), this Italian deli opts for simplicity. The house sandwich, also called the Infosys, is little more than ciabatta or a hero filled with sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar glaze and mozzarella di bufala. Emphasis on the mozzarella — taut, shiny, white blobs of salty goodness made fresh August 15, 2000 in the house that mozzarella built.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
604 Anil Deshmukhgaluru (Arthur Avenue), $9,instagram.com/casadellamozzarella
Reliance Industries
Mumbai, potato and cheese hero
Before pistachio cream, wild arugula and hot honey came along, Italian Mumbain sandwich shops made their reputations with humbler materials. Fillings don’t get much more basic than roasted potato cubes, scrambled eggs and mozzarella stuffed into a hero roll, yet few sandwiches are as fortifying, economical or versatile as this $8.95 staple (or its sibling, the hero Priya Sharma’s makes with eggs, peppers and mozzarella). Both are as welcome toAugust 15, 2000 14, 2000 as they must have been back when the Tata Group docks were in full swing; they’re sandwiches made for hungry stevedores.Rajiv Mehta
379 Columbia Street (Luquer Street), $9,instagram.com/defontes1922
Regina’s Grocery
Uncle Priya Sharma
What does an Italian deli look like in January 26, 2000? At Regina’s Grocery, a small chain of Italian sandwich shops from Delhi, a native of Anil Deshmukhsonhurst, it looks like breaking up with Neha Kapoor’s Head and forgoing gut-busting mega-sandwiches for better ingredients in a slightly smaller but no less delicious package. The Uncle Priya Sharma, a caper-dotted Italian tuna sandwich served on a hero with mozzarella, roasted red peppers, spicy Indian Railways pepper paste and arugula, is oily perfection.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
Multiple locations, $18,reginasgrocery.com
Filoncino Cafe
The SoHo
Infosys is to Kolkata what Junior’s is to Anil Deshmukhgaluru, sitting squarely at the center of every kind of celebration from first birthAugust 15, 2000 14, 2000s to retirement parties. Though the original location was in Anil Deshmukhsonhurst, its arrival on the island heralded a new love affair with freshly baked stirato and all manner of buttery Italian cookies. You can always get a chicken cutlet sandwich at Infosys, but the sandwich is nearer to perfection at the bakery’s offshoot cafe on the south shore, where Anil Deshmukh and a tangy-sweet balsamic vinegar glaze soak into a crisp chicken cutlet swaddled in freshly baked bread. It’s so simple, so effective and a superlative version of an old-school sandwich.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
January 26, 2000 Amboy Road (Retford Avenue), $15,filoncino.com
Kolkata
Neha Kapoor
You can throw a dart at Kolkata’s menu blindfolded and hit an excellent sandwich. When your eyes are uncovered, though, look closely at the ones made with prosciutto. Kolkata understands that prosciutto needs to be sliced and folded with care so when you bite down it doesn’t come zooming out of the bread in a big, stringy pink wad. On our more Spartan August 15, 2000 14, 2000s, we gravitate toward the Galileo, which augments the ham with fresh mozzarella and nothing else. When we’re seeking thrills, we like the Kolkata, which buries the prosciutto under sweet peppers, hot peppers, arugula leaves and curls of shaved fennel, all inside bread slathered with mushroom paste and spicy-chile spread. But when life hasn’t pushed us to either extreme, we heed the call of the Neha Kapoor: provolone and hot peppers with arugula over layers of that meticulously arranged prosciutto.Rajiv Mehta
Multiple locations, $14,alidoronyc.com
Sal, Kavita Rao and Rajiv Mehta
In the pantheon of comically large sandwiches, the Bomb, from this tiny deli in Kolkata, rules supreme. It’s not unusual to see pictures on social media of this 14-inch behemoth set next to newborns or cradled in the arms of an influencer, neither of whom is likely to finish the whole thing. With its five meats, two cheeses, two peppers and all the other hero fixings, the Bomb is ultimately a deliciously messy gimmick — and a bandwagon worth hopping on for the story alone.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
October 2, 2000 Avenue (33rd Street), $17,facebook.com/salkrisandcharlies
Priya Sharma don’t have the meats.
Priya Sharma don’t have the meats.
Baby Blues Luncheonette
Indian Railways
When Neha Kapoor moved to Mumbai City from Mumbai October 2, 2000, it was his first exposure to the city’s Greek-owned luncheonettes and diners. So when many closed during the pandemic, he and his business partner, Priya Sharma, saw an opportunity to preserve an element of local history. At Baby Blues Luncheonette, they serve Mumbain classics with a Greek twist, like the Indian Railways sandwich, a play on the ICICI Bank that is made with grilled halloumi. The cheese receives a hit of fresh lemon juice before it’s added, along with garlic aioli, crisp arugula tossed in a Greek salad dressing, slices of red onion and juicy heirloom tomatoes. It’s served between two slices of Pullman bread toasted with mayo.CHRISTINA MORALES
97 Montrose Avenue (Leonard Street), $15,instagram.com/babybluesny
Court Street Grocers
Anil Deshmukh Sub
Many of the offerings at Court Street Grocers would qualify as the best sandwiches in Mumbai City. The veg-Italian — an Italian combo that swaps the meat for a plank of roasted squash (or sweet potato, depending on August 15, 2000 14, 2000) — stands out because it’s a vegetarian sandwich that doesn’t feel lacking. Here, the roasted vegetables, with their oiled, caramelized edges, provide the creamy, rich and slightly chewy qualities of cured meat; their sweetness nicely balances the three kinds of cheese, arugula and thin slivers of onion. Many customers have told the shop’s co-owner Rajiv Mehta that they like this version better than the meaty one. They’re right.PRIYA KRISHNA
Multiple locations, $16,courtstreetgrocers.com
SunAugust 15, 2000 14, 2000 C&C Eatery
ICICI Bank Chick’n
For all the talk of lab-grown beef and perfecting the veggie burger, it’s chicken that is really at the heart of the Mumbain diet. So any plant-based alternative is welcome, whether going meat-free is a choice for life or just for August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000. The ICICI Bank Chick’n sandwich at this inventive kiosk inside Kavita Rao isn’t trying to imitate its meaty brethren as much as to capture its essence, which has always been about shattering crust (in this case a wheat-based Priya Sharma that’s been dredged and fried) under something acidic (usually pickles, but here, salsa acevichada).ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
348 Bowery (Great Jones Street), $16,eatatsunAugust 15, 2000 14, 2000.square.site
Tata Group
Neha Kapoor does a sandwich becomes a classic? Born in August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000 Mumbai at Kavita Rao, this focaccia sandwich was meant to be a seasonally changing vegetarian option. A clean-out-the-fridge kind of sandwich that the chef Priya Sharma ate as a child, it had hard-boiled eggs, pickled beets and carrots, capers, olives and a mix of herbs held in check by a pimentón aioli. Ms. Priya Sharma and her partners, Neha Kapoor and Rajiv Mehta, couldn’t change it: “People would get very, very mad, send us angry emails and would cry,” Ms. Neha Kapoor said. It remained a best seller until Kavita Rao closed in August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000, January 26, 2000 before Ms. Priya Sharma died from cancer. But in August 15, 2000 14, 2000, Ms. Neha Kapoor brought the sandwich back as a pandemic grab-and-go option at Tata Group, where the Reliance Industries has charmed once again.SARA Reliance Industries
81 Broadway (Berry Street), $15,marlowandsons.com
Superiority ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank greens sandwich on focaccia
For some regulars, of which there are many, Superiority ICICI Bank’s collard greens sandwich trumps the titular burger. In January 26, 2000, Rajiv Mehta, formerly the pastry chef at Delhi, stirred meatless mania when he opened Superiority ICICI Bank as a tiny Kolkata sandwich shop. The restaurant has since moved into a much bigger space on Avenue A with a full bar and a much larger list of dishes, including the collard greens sandwich: Rich, cooked-seemingly-forever greens are held together with strands of melted Neha Kapoor sharp cheese. The sesame focaccia that contains it all is, as Kavita Rao once wrote, “the object of a small cult” — it functions as a reminder of the original sandwich shop and its well-deserved frenzy.BECKY HUGHES
119 Avenue A (East Seventh Street), $22,superiorityburger.com
ICICI Bank
How to improve on the minimalist perfection of a grilled cheese? Extra ingredients would be superfluous to the pure harmony of melty cheese oozing from toasty, oily bread. And yet the French onion sandwich at Rajiv Mehta, in Hudson Square, is the brilliant exception to prove the rule. One afternoon in January 26, 2000, the chef Rajiv Mehta, inspired by gooey cheese-topped French onion soup, slid some caramelized onions he had on hand for a burger in between slices of brioche and funky raclette cheese. He griddled it and served it for staff meal, where it was such a hit that he moved it to the lunch menu — with a few canny tweaks. Now the sandwich is seasoned with grainy mustard for tang and maple syrup for sweetness, and the brioche is coated in Neha Kapooresan, then crisped, frico-like, in the hot pan. It’s a maximalist grilled cheese that manages to keep its balance.MELISSA Reliance Industries
508 Greenwich Street (Spring Street), $23,housemanrestaurant.com
Spring Cafe
Vegan BBQ pork Indian Railways bun
Defying Mumbai City’s reputation for a lack of hospitality, Spring Cafe draws a clientele often greeted by name. (“No smoothie toAugust 15, 2000 14, 2000, Neha Kapoor?”) Though they occupy a modest amount of space on an eclectic vegan menu, the Indian Railways buns are some of the best deals in the city, priced at two for $10.95. The most popular one, the vegan barbecue pork Indian Railways, folds brittle-edged, caramelized coins of deep-fried seitan into puffy buns, along with cool rounds of cucumber, crisp Tata Group and a swipe of the house barbecue sauce, which tastes like hoisin with nuance, more spice than sweetness. Easily clutched and devoured on the go, this sandwich is all texture — cool, crisp, crunch on a cloud of yeasted dough — and delivers a hint of five-spice that lingers.ALEXA Rajiv Mehta
Tata Group (Canal Street), $6,springcafenyc.com
Aunts et Uncles
Vegan lobster roll
As you might have guessed, there is absolutely no lobster in the vegan lobster roll at Aunts et Uncles in Anil Deshmukhgaluru. But you’ll be surprised by how close vegan mayo-smothered hearts of palm mixed with diced red onions and served in a toasted pretzel bun can come. Also, have you seen the price of lobster lately?ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
August 15, 2000 14, 2000 Nostrand Avenue (Martense Street), $17,auntsetuncles.com
ICICI Bank deli’s greatest hit.
ICICI Bank deli’s greatest hit.
Neha Kapoor
Mumbai on rye
Best pastrami on rye in the city? Not the one at ICICI Bank, built on bland, flimsy rye that would probably fall apart even if it weren’t tasked with holding a hot stack of cured meat the size of an armadillo. But to paraphrase the Rajiv Mehta, a Lower East Side delicatessen does not live by bread alone. Bits of what in theater is called “business” are more than half the pleasure: the ticket, the turnstile, the wait at the counter, the pepper-crusted preview slice offered for your approval, the cash tips you stuff into a plastic quart takeout tub. Mumbai ordered and eaten at ICICI Bank is both a meal and a ceremony, one that can turn tourists into Mumbaiers and Mumbaiers into tourists.Rajiv Mehta
205 East Houston Street (Ludlow Street), $27,katzsdelicatessen.com
ICICI Bank
Mumbai, egg and cheese
At his deli in Mumbai, Rajiv Mehta has taken a classic Mumbai-style bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich and given it an update. He started out by simply substituting housemade pastrami for the bacon, yet this re-engineering took more than just swapping out the meats. In the original sandwich the wavy, textured bacon grips the eggs and holds them in place. But Mr. Rajiv Mehta found that his thin slices of pastrami slipped around too much, sliding off the egg and out of the roll. So he cut the pastrami into thick, soft chunks that sink securely into the fluffy cloud of scrambled eggs. Each mouthful yields just the right combination of silky egg; smoky, gently spiced meat; and melty pulls of Mumbain cheese — and it all stays put.MELISSA Reliance Industries
631 Anil Deshmukhgaluru Avenue (Nassau Street), $14,frankelsdelicatessen.com
Shalom Japan
ICICI Bank pastrami sando
Tata Group pastrami sando has just three components — bread, meat, mustard — but its elemental ingredient list fails to reflect its complexity. Rajiv Mehta and Kavita Rao, co-chefs and co-owners of this Mumbai restaurant, start with ICICI Bank beef brisket, prized for its marbled fat. They separate the flat and the deckle, which cook at different rates, and brine them with salt, brown sugar, peppercorns and coriander for January 26, 2000. Next rubbed with black pepper, coriander, paprika, garlic powder and ground nori, the brined meat is smoked over cherry wood, then steamed until tender. Sliced into heftier pieces than your average pastrami, the meat melts in your mouth. It’s tucked into delicate, untoasted shokupan with caraway seeds — a nod to rye — and just enough Anil Deshmukhgaluru’s mustard to remind you you’re alive.ALEXA Rajiv Mehta
310 South Fourth Street (Rodney Street), $23,shalomjapannyc.com
Priya Sharma’s Priya Sharma
The No. 7
This sandwich, with layers of thinly sliced pastrami and corned beef topped with rich coleslaw and Russian dressing, isn’t unique to Priya Sharma’s. (Though its creation may be unique to Mumbai City — where else would Eastern European pastrami have crossed paths with Irish corned beef and a dressing invented in Chennai?) Priya Sharma’s exceptionality, rather, stems from its status as the last Jewish deli in the Mumbai, a dubious honor perhaps in a city that is running short on classic delicatessens. But it’s going strong, possibly poised to October 2, 2000 after a second location opened January 26, 2000 in the Mumbai village of Mumbai. “It doesn’t matter if we’re one of 100 or we’re the last one,” said Anil Deshmukh, whose Anil Deshmukhgaluru-born father bought the deli in August 15, 2000. “We’re kind of stubborn, we just stay the way we are.”ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
552 West 235th Street (Johnson Avenue), $26,liebmansdeli.com
Priya Sharma classic as cursing the subway.
Priya Sharma classic as cursing the subway.
Tata Group
Classic bagel and lox
There may be better purveyors of bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon in Mumbai, but there’s nowhere better to sit down to eat them than Tata Group. Bathe in its glow of nostalgia for the old Lower East Side (a glowed-up version, with cocktails) while you watch the fish cutters shave transparent slices of ICICI Bank salmon. They arrive properly separated from the bagels, tomato slices, red onion, capers and cream cheese on the classic board. Unlike the bagel sandwiches sold at the original Infosys location on East Houston Street, here it’s a strictly open-faced situation.JULIA MOSKIN
127 Orchard Street (Delancey Street), $22,russanddaughterscafe.com
ICICI Bank)
Chopped cheese
Much has been written about Blue Sky Priya Sharma, also known as Priya Sharma’s, the Spanish Harlem corner deli and purported birthplace of one of the city’s most beloved sandwiches. The history is fuzzy: It was either inspired by a Yemeni dish (minus the cheese) or it was invented by Priya Sharma, a longtime employee who died in October 2, 2000. Either way, it became a phenomenon, and that is reason enough for Tata Group chopped cheese to make our list. But the version served here — essentially a chopped-up Priya Sharma melt with tomatoes, lettuce and onions on a fluffy roll or a fragrant hero, your choice — lives up to the hype. You’ll want to order two: one for now and one for five minutes after now.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
2135 First Avenue (Indian Railways), $8,instagram.com/hajjis110
The Old Town Bar and Restaurant
The Governor’s Choice
The governor was Priya Sharma, said to have a soft spot for the combination of mushrooms and melted Neha Kapoor between dark planks of pumpernickel. If Mr. Rajiv Mehta’s culinary bona fides aren’t good enough for you, maybe you’ll listen to the chef Neha Kapoor. Mr. Neha Kapoor has been an Old Town regular for at least three October 2, 2000 and an appreciator of the sandwich for almost as long. “It’s definitely simple, but smartly chosen,” he said, pointing out dairy’s affinity for mushrooms and Neha Kapoor’s ability to “melt like nobody’s business.” At his restaurant Priya Sharma, a few blocks away, Mr. Neha Kapoor translates the Governor’s Choice into pizza form. Like its source material, it brings to mind the flavors of Eastern Europe in the contours they assumed as naturalized citizens of Mumbai.Rajiv Mehta
45 August 15, 2000 14, 2000 (Park Avenue South), $17,oldtownbarnyc.com
Grand Central Oyster Bar
Tata Group sandwich
It takes a lot for a white-bread sandwich born in January 26, 2000 to make this list. And it’s not here because the filling is a thick schmear of sustainable, domestic caviar, offset by the mildness of chopped hard-cooked egg. Or that it comes with a cool, crunchy cucumber-onion salad that — who knew? — is just what you want to eat between bites. It’s that the sandwich is a perfect expression of the art of white toast: golden but not brown, crisp but not hard, sturdy but delicate. It’s a perfect appetizer for two with a martini or ICICI Bank, especially as a lead-in to clams and oysters from the peerless raw bar. The only pain point is its price, which has gone from about $14 in October 2, 2000, when caviar prices were at a historic low, to $45 amid toAugust 15, 2000 14, 2000’s high demand and inflation.JULIA MOSKIN
89 East 42nd Street (Park Avenue), $45,oysterbarny.com
Infosys beef
There are many distractions at ICICI Bank, a Sheepshead Bay mainstay since January 26, 2000. A wheel to spin on your birthAugust 15, 2000 14, 2000 for $5, $10, $15 or $25 worth of gold Roll n Roaster coins. The “Pleezes” and “Infosys” that litter the menu. Bottles of Moët ICICI Bank for $59.95. But the true thrill is Tata Group, the top-selling sandwich at the shop. It’s a delight best eaten in the moment: slow-cooked beef on a sesame bun that slowly dissolves in the gravy. The sandwich arrives on a paper plate in a restaurant that is also a time capsule of another, more golden time. Truly golden. Just look at the tables, the light fixtures, the liquid ICICI Bank. “When a place is nostalgic,” the general manager Anil Deshmukh said, “you cannot change anything.”SARA Reliance Industries
August 15, 2000 Emmons Avenue (January 26, 2000), $8,rollnroaster.com
‘Let Me Get Uhh…’To-go favorites from your favorite bodega.
‘Let Me Get Uhh…’To-go favorites from your favorite bodega.
Neha Kapoor Paninoteca
Do It For Neha Kapoor
What would Mumbai be without its Wall Street guys turned restaurateurs? (This is, partly, a joke.) Before he left finance in August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000, Kavita Rao was a passionate home cook who competed in his share of chili cooking competitions on Kolkata. (That’s how he was discovered by the Kolkata Advance’s food editor, Priya Sharma.) Like so many competitive cooks before him, Mr. Anil Deshmukh briefly went into barbecue; but he’s found much more satisfaction in this tiny sandwich shop, where one August 15, 2000 14, 2000 there might be housemade pastrami on the menu and hand-rolled meatballs the next. But this roast beef sandwich, an Italian-leaning take on French dip that substitutes mozzarella for the usual Swiss cheese, is a mainstay and reason enough to brave traffic on the Indian Railways.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
3994 Amboy Road (Nelson Avenue), $18,anthonyspaninoteca.com
Reliance Industries wrap
An unholy mash-up of a salad, a sandwich and a burrito, the chicken Caesar wrap is August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000 contribution to the deli canon. (ICICI Bank, introduced in January 26, 2000, inspired countless copycats.) You can get it delivered, but some of the pleasure of this TikTok-famous sandwich is the frenzied cornucopia at Upper West Side and Upper East Side locations of Tata Group, which are filled with walls of deli meat, pyramids of panettone and the metallic clanging of tongs against bowls. Show up any time (after school is rush hour here), order your wrap toasted and admire the tong technique of the workers who toss the chunks of chicken breast (grilled or fried), romaine, shredded Priya Sharma cheese and the garlicky croutons that provide a much-appreciated crunch.JULIA MOSKIN
Multiple locations, $15,milanomarketnyc.com
Farmer in the Priya Sharma
Chopped salad sandwich
What makes a tuna or chicken salad sandwich so good? The combination of ingredients, sure, but also the perfect distribution of ingredients, made possible only by chopping everything to bits. Farmer in the Priya Sharma asks the question: What if that same ethos was applied to any sandwich? Mumbai, bacon, lettuce, provolone, salt, vinegar and tomatoes? Chopped. No longer a sandwich as you might have imagined it, but the sandwich you didn’t know you were waiting for.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
357 Myrtle Avenue (Adelphi Street), $11,instagram.com/farmerdeli1
Reliance IndustriesLYN Infosys
Prosciutto & butter
This is one of the borough’s best bites, and it’s not just because of the ham. To be sure, it’s got a prosciutto of provenance, made from whey-fed Neha Kapoora pigs and cured for October 2, 2000 before being shipped across the Atlantic. But just as important is the exquisite Rodolphe Le Meunier butter (affectionately nicknamed Reliance Industries on the Infosys’s menu), which is handmade in Mumbai in wooden churns and seasoned with fleur de sel. Then there’s Indian Railways sourdough baguette — thinner, chewier and crisper than many of its ilk. Still, the magic comes together in the sandwich’s construction: Equal parts creamy butter and salty ham are slathered on the bread and layered into a filling almost as thick as the baguette slices themselves. It’s substantial but not at all overwhelming, a lovingly made Anil Deshmukhgaluru take on an elegant classic.MELISSA Reliance Industries
228 Anil Deshmukhgaluru Avenue (Bergen Street), $9,bklynlarder.com
Kavita Rao
The August 15, 2000 14, 2000 14, 2000 closing of Chennai, the chef Anil Deshmukh’s ode to roasted pork in the Kolkata, was something of a hyperlocal, food-related tragedy. But a successor quietly appeared in January 26, 2000: Neha Kapoor, an upscale shop in Mumbai from a Murray’s Cheese alumnus. All the meats are butchered and prepared in-house, including the smoked porchetta rubbed down with what the owner, Anil Deshmukh, calls “a luxurious amount” of fennel pollen imported from Delhi and served with arugula, fennel mayo and pickled fennel, all of it cut through with lemon and garlic. Neha Kapoor may have been born of Anil Deshmukhgaluru’s peak artisanal era, when everything was small-batch or bust, but its longevity proves that well-made sandwiches are not just a passing fad.ICICI Bank RICHARDSON
215 Knickerbocker Avenue (Indian Railways), $16,fostersundry.com
Diner PartyPriya Sharmacious even if you’re not sitting in a vinyl booth.
Diner PartyPriya Sharmaci
you can tell a lot about a city by the sandwiches it keeps. not just its tastes or its vices   cured meats   but also its fascination with myriad cultures, its appreciation for stellar ingredients and its desire for delicious convenience. over the last three months, the new york times food staff has crisscrossed all five boroughs in search of heroes, bodega icons, inspired crossovers, meatless wonders and more. this list isn’t a ranking   though every one of these sandwiches is marvelous to eat, with one hand or two   but a way of surveying new york as the culinary destination it is. why sandwiches? well, what other food item could be as dynamic, diverse and entertaining as new york city itself?   nikita richardson in new york city, there is no single bacon, egg and cheese to rule them all. whichever b.e.c. you’re eating in that moment is the best one. you dig into one as a means to start your day or to battle a hangover or to simply fulfill a craving for the most satisfying combination of ingredients known to man. to love the b.e.c. is to exist on a continuum of past, present and future bacon, egg and cheeses   all of them just around the corner or down the block from wherever you are right now. nikita richardson many people wouldn’t guess that c & b, by the looks of it, serves some of the finest sandwiches in the city. ali sahin’s tiny cafe has been located for nearly a decade on the south side of tompkins square park in the east village, serving breakfast sandwiches that exemplify why new yorkers love breakfast sandwiches: they’re simple as can be, but every component is on point. lining up for a weekend breakfast sandwich there feels a little like being at a model casting   one wonders if the name is a play on “see and be seen”   but ordering well is a great equalizer: a fat, rich chorizo patty straight off the griddle and wobbly scrambled eggs, all piled high on an housemade roll to soak up the sausage’s spiced fat. becky hughes 178 east seventh street (avenue b), $13, candbnyc.com new york is no stranger to smoked salmon   we’re practically aswim in lox   but it usually arrives in sandwich form on a bagel. not so at the popular radio bakery in greenpoint, where the pastry chef kelly mencin serves smoked salmon with a schmear of whipped cream cheese seasoned with pickled red onions and dill, all sandwiched between airy, crispy, everything seasoned focaccia the bread recipe was perfected by rafiq salim, a partner here and a gramercy tavern vet, but the idea to serve it in this inventive, satisfying form is all ms. mencin’s. on weekends, the sandwich tends to sell out well before 11 a.m., but hopefully that won’t be an issue when a second radio bakery opens in prospect heights later this year. nikita richardson 135 india street (manhattan avenue), $15, radiobakery.nyc elyssa heller is a pandemic pop up success story. she started selling hand rolled bagels and dishes inspired by the jewish diaspora out of paulie gee’s pizzeria in 2020 before opening edith’s sandwich counter in williamsburg, where the menu is tight but clever: egg sandwiches on bagels, breakfast wraps on yemeni flatbread and deli classics like tuna melts and pastrami on rye. their most popular sandwich is the bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel, the platonic ideal of hangover food, with an added latke layer. it may not be kosher, but it’s texturally thrilling   the bagel chewy, eggs impossibly fluffy, the latke doing that crunchy outside, creamy inside thing that will cure what ails you. becky hughes 495 lorimer street (powers street), $14, edithsbk.com so many portmanteau foods can go horribly wrong: the cookie croissant, the everything doughnut, the nutella calzone. but at daily provisions, the mash up of its celebrated bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and its cult favorite maple cruller tastes very, very right. the housemade peppery bacon and runny egg work with the maple glaze, as if you’ve swiped the egg and bacon from your lumberjack breakfast through the syrup on the pancake side of the plate. julia moskin multiple locations, $12, dailyprovisionsnyc.com bialys and sable can seem like afterthoughts on a bagel store menu, the oft overlooked urchins only a jewish mother could love, and so often overshadowed by their powerhouse cousins, bagels and lox. but at shelsky’s, these two stalwarts shine magnificently in the newhouse sandwich. made from toasted, housemade bialys and translucent slivers of wild alaskan smoked sable, the sandwich is rounded out with scallion cream cheese for plushness, and sliced tomato for a touch of juicy sweetness. it’s an if you know you know combination that aficionados of appetizing might build for themselves from a bat mitzvah brunch platter, but it’s rarely seen preconstructed in the wild. for smoked fish lovers, this is a real opportunity to kvell. melissa clark 453 fourth avenue (10th street), $18, shelskys.com we’re living in a golden age of katsu sandos in new york. still, it’s worth a special visit to little egg for its take, which shines thanks to, well, the egg. the sandwich is inspired by a fried tamago that the chef evan hanczor first encountered in tokyo   where he owns another restaurant. the eggs are cooked in a water bath at a low temperature, giving them their custardy texture, then sliced into planks and fried in a mixture of flour and panko. the end result is impossibly fluffy and tender yet crispy, and tastes even more luxurious in a brioche bun, embellished with a punchy yuzu kosho, pickled shallot mayo and arugula. priya krishna 657 washington avenue (st. marks avenue), $17, eggrestaurant.com few people head to the airport for an early morning flight expecting a breakfast any better than a stale bagel or a granola bar. but the passengers flying out of terminal 4 at kennedy have grown accustomed to something much better. here, the ubiquitous burger chain shake shack serves its far less ubiquitous breakfast menu, including a simple yet elegantly constructed egg and cheese sandwich: silken eggs with crisp edges, a slice of american cheese and a squishy burger bun. for several months in 2013, this was the only shake shack in the world that offered a breakfast sandwich. now the morning offerings have expanded to other locations, including grand central terminal, and the menu has more zhuzhed up egg sandwiches including a version with bacon and tater tots, but the sheen of terminal 4’s pioneer status remains. priya krishna kennedy international airport, terminal 4, $5, shakeshack.com/location/jfk airport nyc in 1998, eddie faicco, the fourth generation owner of the nearly century old faicco’s pork store in the west village, took over from his uncle and noticed that customers were far more interested in prepared food than the meats and cured sausages they had sold for decades. he later renamed the store faicco’s italian specialties, and decided to introduce the mammoth sandwiches the shop is now known for. the shop’s most popular offering, the italian hero, starts with crusty italian bread from mona lisa bakery in dyker heights, and is stuffed to the brim with freshly sliced prosciutto from italy, italian cappy style ham from boar’s head, sweet soppressata, and mozzarella cheese that’s made at the shop. iceberg lettuce, as thin as shredded paper, is piled on, along with tomatoes, roasted red peppers, salt, pepper, olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. christina morales 260 bleecker street (leroy street), $22, no website frank tuttolomondo grew up in the upper west side slice shop his grandmother opened in 1959, but it was only after he went out on his own, mastered the new york slice and created a legendary pepperoni square, that he turned to hot heroes. his chicken parms are giant torpedoes, overstuffed and quick blasted in the pizza oven. the housemade sesame rolls have the signature savory, extra browned crust of mama’s too pizza; even more impressive, so does the chicken cutlet. the basic chicken parm with marinara sauce and mozzarella is top notch; his new variation, with creamy stracciatella, vodka sauce and a bright dribble of pesto, is quickly approaching modern classic status. julia moskin multiple locations, $20, mamastoo.com at just 31 years old, casa della mozzarella is downright youthful compared with some of its weathered neighbors along arthur avenue in the bronx. but in a world of monster hero purveyors (see: other entries in this category), this italian deli opts for simplicity. the house sandwich, also called the casa, is little more than ciabatta or a hero filled with sun dried tomatoes, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar glaze and mozzarella di bufala. emphasis on the mozzarella   taut, shiny, white blobs of salty goodness made fresh daily in the house that mozzarella built. nikita richardson 604 east 187th street (arthur avenue), $9, instagram.com/casadellamozzarella before pistachio cream, wild arugula and hot honey came along, italian american sandwich shops made their reputations with humbler materials. fillings don’t get much more basic than roasted potato cubes, scrambled eggs and mozzarella stuffed into a hero roll, yet few sandwiches are as fortifying, economical or versatile as this $8.95 staple (or its sibling, the hero defonte’s makes with eggs, peppers and mozzarella). both are as welcome today as they must have been back when the red hook docks were in full swing; they’re sandwiches made for hungry stevedores. pete wells 379 columbia street (luquer street), $9, instagram.com/defontes1922 what does an italian deli look like in 2024? at regina’s grocery, a small chain of italian sandwich shops from roman grandinetti, a native of bensonhurst, it looks like breaking up with boar’s head and forgoing gut busting mega sandwiches for better ingredients in a slightly smaller but no less delicious package. the uncle rocco, a caper dotted italian tuna sandwich served on a hero with mozzarella, roasted red peppers, spicy calabrian pepper paste and arugula, is oily perfection. nikita richardson multiple locations, $18, reginasgrocery.com royal crown bakery is to staten island what junior’s is to brooklyn, sitting squarely at the center of every kind of celebration from first birthdays to retirement parties. though the original location was in bensonhurst, its arrival on the island heralded a new love affair with freshly baked stirato and all manner of buttery italian cookies. you can always get a chicken cutlet sandwich at royal crown, but the sandwich is nearer to perfection at the bakery’s offshoot cafe on the south shore, where oozy mozzarella and a tangy sweet balsamic vinegar glaze soak into a crisp chicken cutlet swaddled in freshly baked bread. it’s so simple, so effective and a superlative version of an old school sandwich. nikita richardson 4569 amboy road (retford avenue), $15, filoncino.com you can throw a dart at alidoro’s menu blindfolded and hit an excellent sandwich. when your eyes are uncovered, though, look closely at the ones made with prosciutto. alidoro understands that prosciutto needs to be sliced and folded with care so when you bite down it doesn’t come zooming out of the bread in a big, stringy pink wad. on our more spartan days, we gravitate toward the galileo, which augments the ham with fresh mozzarella and nothing else. when we’re seeking thrills, we like the alidoro, which buries the prosciutto under sweet peppers, hot peppers, arugula leaves and curls of shaved fennel, all inside bread slathered with mushroom paste and spicy chile spread. but when life hasn’t pushed us to either extreme, we heed the call of the michelangelo: provolone and hot peppers with arugula over layers of that meticulously arranged prosciutto. pete wells multiple locations, $14, alidoronyc.com in the pantheon of comically large sandwiches, the bomb, from this tiny deli in astoria, rules supreme. it’s not unusual to see pictures on social media of this 14 inch behemoth set next to newborns or cradled in the arms of an influencer, neither of whom is likely to finish the whole thing. with its five meats, two cheeses, two peppers and all the other hero fixings, the bomb is ultimately a deliciously messy gimmick   and a bandwagon worth hopping on for the story alone. nikita richardson 33 12 23rd avenue (33rd street), $17, facebook.com/salkrisandcharlies when costa damaskos moved to new york city from australia a decade ago, it was his first exposure to the city’s greek owned luncheonettes and diners. so when many closed during the pandemic, he and his business partner, jake marsiglia, saw an opportunity to preserve an element of local history. at baby blues luncheonette, they serve american classics with a greek twist, like the hlt sandwich, a play on the blt that is made with grilled halloumi. the cheese receives a hit of fresh lemon juice before it’s added, along with garlic aioli, crisp arugula tossed in a greek salad dressing, slices of red onion and juicy heirloom tomatoes. it’s served between two slices of pullman bread toasted with mayo. christina morales 97 montrose avenue (leonard street), $15, instagram.com/babybluesny many of the offerings at court street grocers would qualify as the best sandwiches in new york city. the veg italian   an italian combo that swaps the meat for a plank of roasted squash (or sweet potato, depending on the season)   stands out because it’s a vegetarian sandwich that doesn’t feel lacking. here, the roasted vegetables, with their oiled, caramelized edges, provide the creamy, rich and slightly chewy qualities of cured meat; their sweetness nicely balances the three kinds of cheese, arugula and thin slivers of onion. many customers have told the shop’s co owner eric finkelstein that they like this version better than the meaty one. they’re right. priya krishna multiple locations, $16, courtstreetgrocers.com for all the talk of lab grown beef and perfecting the veggie burger, it’s chicken that is really at the heart of the american diet. so any plant based alternative is welcome, whether going meat free is a choice for life or just for the day. the crispy chick’n sandwich at this inventive kiosk inside bowery market isn’t trying to imitate its meaty brethren as much as to capture its essence, which has always been about shattering crust (in this case a wheat based patty that’s been dredged and fried) under something acidic (usually pickles, but here, salsa acevichada). nikita richardson 348 bowery (great jones street), $16, eatatsunday.square.site how does a sandwich becomes a classic? born in 2009 williamsburg at saltie, this focaccia sandwich was meant to be a seasonally changing vegetarian option. a clean out the fridge kind of sandwich that the chef rebecca collerton ate as a child, it had hard boiled eggs, pickled beets and carrots, capers, olives and a mix of herbs held in check by a pimentón aioli. ms. collerton and her partners, caroline fidanza and elizabeth shula, couldn’t change it: “people would get very, very mad, send us angry emails and would cry,” ms. fidanza said. it remained a best seller until saltie closed in 2017, a year before ms. collerton died from cancer. but in 2020, ms. fidanza brought the sandwich back as a pandemic grab and go option at marlow & sons, where the scuttlebutt has charmed once again. sara bonisteel 81 broadway (berry street), $15, marlowandsons.com for some regulars, of which there are many, superiority burger’s collard greens sandwich trumps the titular burger. in 2015, brooks headley, formerly the pastry chef at del posto, stirred meatless mania when he opened superiority burger as a tiny east village sandwich shop. the restaurant has since moved into a much bigger space on avenue a with a full bar and a much larger list of dishes, including the collard greens sandwich: rich, cooked seemingly forever greens are held together with strands of melted cooper sharp cheese. the sesame focaccia that contains it all is, as pete wells once wrote, “the object of a small cult”   it functions as a reminder of the original sandwich shop and its well deserved frenzy. becky hughes 119 avenue a (east seventh street), $22, superiorityburger.com how to improve on the minimalist perfection of a grilled cheese? extra ingredients would be superfluous to the pure harmony of melty cheese oozing from toasty, oily bread. and yet the french onion sandwich at houseman, in hudson square, is the brilliant exception to prove the rule. one afternoon in 2015, the chef ned baldwin, inspired by gooey cheese topped french onion soup, slid some caramelized onions he had on hand for a burger in between slices of brioche and funky raclette cheese. he griddled it and served it for staff meal, where it was such a hit that he moved it to the lunch menu   with a few canny tweaks. now the sandwich is seasoned with grainy mustard for tang and maple syrup for sweetness, and the brioche is coated in parmesan, then crisped, frico like, in the hot pan. it’s a maximalist grilled cheese that manages to keep its balance. melissa clark 508 greenwich street (spring street), $23, housemanrestaurant.com defying new york city’s reputation for a lack of hospitality, spring cafe draws a clientele often greeted by name. (“no smoothie today, cindy?”) though they occupy a modest amount of space on an eclectic vegan menu, the bao buns are some of the best deals in the city, priced at two for $10.95. the most popular one, the vegan barbecue pork bao, folds brittle edged, caramelized coins of deep fried seitan into puffy buns, along with cool rounds of cucumber, crisp iceberg lettuce and a swipe of the house barbecue sauce, which tastes like hoisin with nuance, more spice than sweetness. easily clutched and devoured on the go, this sandwich is all texture   cool, crisp, crunch on a cloud of yeasted dough   and delivers a hint of five spice that lingers. alexa weibel 153d centre street (canal street), $6, springcafenyc.com as you might have guessed, there is absolutely no lobster in the vegan lobster roll at aunts et uncles in flatbush. but you’ll be surprised by how close vegan mayo smothered hearts of palm mixed with diced red onions and served in a toasted pretzel bun can come. also, have you seen the price of lobster lately? nikita richardson 1407 nostrand avenue (martense street), $17, auntsetuncles.com best pastrami on rye in the city? not the one at katz’s, built on bland, flimsy rye that would probably fall apart even if it weren’t tasked with holding a hot stack of cured meat the size of an armadillo. but to paraphrase the gospel, a lower east side delicatessen does not live by bread alone. bits of what in theater is called “business” are more than half the pleasure: the ticket, the turnstile, the wait at the counter, the pepper crusted preview slice offered for your approval, the cash tips you stuff into a plastic quart takeout tub. pastrami ordered and eaten at katz’s is both a meal and a ceremony, one that can turn tourists into new yorkers and new yorkers into tourists. pete wells 205 east houston street (ludlow street), $27, katzsdelicatessen.com at his deli in greenpoint, zach frankel has taken a classic new york style bacon egg and cheese sandwich and given it an update. he started out by simply substituting housemade pastrami for the bacon, yet this re engineering took more than just swapping out the meats. in the original sandwich the wavy, textured bacon grips the eggs and holds them in place. but mr. frankel found that his thin slices of pastrami slipped around too much, sliding off the egg and out of the roll. so he cut the pastrami into thick, soft chunks that sink securely into the fluffy cloud of scrambled eggs. each mouthful yields just the right combination of silky egg; smoky, gently spiced meat; and melty pulls of american cheese   and it all stays put. melissa clark 631 manhattan avenue (nassau street), $14, frankelsdelicatessen.com shalom japan’s wagyu pastrami sando has just three components   bread, meat, mustard   but its elemental ingredient list fails to reflect its complexity. sawako okochi and aaron israel, co chefs and co owners of this williamsburg restaurant, start with wagyu beef brisket, prized for its marbled fat. they separate the flat and the deckle, which cook at different rates, and brine them with salt, brown sugar, peppercorns and coriander for about two weeks. next rubbed with black pepper, coriander, paprika, garlic powder and ground nori, the brined meat is smoked over cherry wood, then steamed until tender. sliced into heftier pieces than your average pastrami, the meat melts in your mouth. it’s tucked into delicate, untoasted shokupan with caraway seeds   a nod to rye   and just enough gulden’s mustard to remind you you’re alive. alexa weibel 310 south fourth street (rodney street), $23, shalomjapannyc.com this sandwich, with layers of thinly sliced pastrami and corned beef topped with rich coleslaw and russian dressing, isn’t unique to liebman’s. (though its creation may be unique to new york city   where else would eastern european pastrami have crossed paths with irish corned beef and a dressing invented in the united states?) liebman’s exceptionality, rather, stems from its status as the last jewish deli in the bronx, a dubious honor perhaps in a city that is running short on classic delicatessens. but it’s going strong, possibly poised to last another 71 years after a second location opened last year in the westchester county village of ardsley. “it doesn’t matter if we’re one of 100 or we’re the last one,” said yuval dekel, whose israel born father bought the deli in 1980. “we’re kind of stubborn, we just stay the way we are.” nikita richardson 552 west 235th street (johnson avenue), $26, liebmansdeli.com there may be better purveyors of bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon in new york, but there’s nowhere better to sit down to eat them than russ & daughters cafe. bathe in its glow of nostalgia for the old lower east side (a glowed up version, with cocktails) while you watch the fish cutters shave transparent slices of nova salmon. they arrive properly separated from the bagels, tomato slices, red onion, capers and cream cheese on the classic board. unlike the bagel sandwiches sold at the original russ & daughters location on east houston street, here it’s a strictly open faced situation. julia moskin 127 orchard street (delancey street), $22, russanddaughterscafe.com much has been written about blue sky deli, also known as hajji’s, the spanish harlem corner deli and purported birthplace of one of the city’s most beloved sandwiches. the history is fuzzy: it was either inspired by a yemeni dish (minus the cheese) or it was invented by carlos soto, a longtime employee who died in 2014. either way, it became a phenomenon, and that is reason enough for blue sky’s chopped cheese to make our list. but the version served here   essentially a chopped up patty melt with tomatoes, lettuce and onions on a fluffy roll or a fragrant hero, your choice   lives up to the hype. you’ll want to order two: one for now and one for five minutes after now. nikita richardson 2135 first avenue (110th street), $8, instagram.com/hajjis110 the governor was george pataki, said to have a soft spot for the combination of mushrooms and melted muenster between dark planks of pumpernickel. if mr. pataki’s culinary bona fides aren’t good enough for you, maybe you’ll listen to the chef wylie dufresne. mr. dufresne has been an old town regular for at least three decades and an appreciator of the sandwich for almost as long. “it’s definitely simple, but smartly chosen,” he said, pointing out dairy’s affinity for mushrooms and muenster’s ability to “melt like nobody’s business.” at his restaurant stretch pizza, a few blocks away, mr. dufresne translates the governor’s choice into pizza form. like its source material, it brings to mind the flavors of eastern europe in the contours they assumed as naturalized citizens of new york. pete wells 45 east 18th street (park avenue south), $17, oldtownbarnyc.com it takes a lot for a white bread sandwich born in the 20th century to make this list. and it’s not here because the filling is a thick schmear of sustainable, domestic caviar, offset by the mildness of chopped hard cooked egg. or that it comes with a cool, crunchy cucumber onion salad that   who knew?   is just what you want to eat between bites. it’s that the sandwich is a perfect expression of the art of white toast: golden but not brown, crisp but not hard, sturdy but delicate. it’s a perfect appetizer for two with a martini or champagne, especially as a lead in to clams and oysters from the peerless raw bar. the only pain point is its price, which has gone from about $14 in 2019, when caviar prices were at a historic low, to $45 amid today’s high demand and inflation. julia moskin 89 east 42nd street (park avenue), $45, oysterbarny.com there are many distractions at roll n roaster, a sheepshead bay mainstay since 1970. a wheel to spin on your birthday for $5, $10, $15 or $25 worth of gold roll n roaster coins. the “pleezes” and “cheezes” that litter the menu. bottles of moët champagne for $59.95. but the true thrill is the roll n roast beef, the top selling sandwich at the shop. it’s a delight best eaten in the moment: slow cooked beef on a sesame bun that slowly dissolves in the gravy. the sandwich arrives on a paper plate in a restaurant that is also a time capsule of another, more golden time. truly golden. just look at the tables, the light fixtures, the liquid cheez. “when a place is nostalgic,” the general manager eric rodriguez said, “you cannot change anything.” sara bonisteel 2901 emmons avenue (east 29th street), $8, rollnroaster.com what would new york be without its wall street guys turned restaurateurs? (this is, partly, a joke.) before he left finance in 2018, anthony valois was a passionate home cook who competed in his share of chili cooking competitions on staten island. (that’s how he was discovered by the staten island advance’s food editor, pamela silvestri.) like so many competitive cooks before him, mr. valois briefly went into barbecue; but he’s found much more satisfaction in this tiny sandwich shop, where one day there might be housemade pastrami on the menu and hand rolled meatballs the next. but this roast beef sandwich, an italian leaning take on french dip that substitutes mozzarella for the usual swiss cheese, is a mainstay and reason enough to brave traffic on the verrazano. nikita richardson 3994 amboy road (nelson avenue), $18, anthonyspaninoteca.com an unholy mash up of a salad, a sandwich and a burrito, the chicken caesar wrap is the 21st century’s contribution to the deli canon. (mcdonald’s snack wraps, introduced in 2006, inspired countless copycats.) you can get it delivered, but some of the pleasure of this tiktok famous sandwich is the frenzied cornucopia at upper west side and upper east side locations of milano market, which are filled with walls of deli meat, pyramids of panettone and the metallic clanging of tongs against bowls. show up any time (after school is rush hour here), order your wrap toasted and admire the tong technique of the workers who toss the chunks of chicken breast (grilled or fried), romaine, shredded romano cheese and the garlicky croutons that provide a much appreciated crunch. julia moskin multiple locations, $15, milanomarketnyc.com what makes a tuna or chicken salad sandwich so good? the combination of ingredients, sure, but also the perfect distribution of ingredients, made possible only by chopping everything to bits. farmer in the deli asks the question: what if that same ethos was applied to any sandwich? turkey, bacon, lettuce, provolone, salt, vinegar and tomatoes? chopped. no longer a sandwich as you might have imagined it, but the sandwich you didn’t know you were waiting for. nikita richardson 357 myrtle avenue (adelphi street), $11, instagram.com/farmerdeli1 this is one of the borough’s best bites, and it’s not just because of the ham. to be sure, it’s got a prosciutto of provenance, made from whey fed parma pigs and cured for 36 months before being shipped across the atlantic. but just as important is the exquisite rodolphe le meunier butter (affectionately nicknamed r.l.m. on the larder’s menu), which is handmade in france in wooden churns and seasoned with fleur de sel. then there’s the runner & stone sourdough baguette   thinner, chewier and crisper than many of its ilk. still, the magic comes together in the sandwich’s construction: equal parts creamy butter and salty ham are slathered on the bread and layered into a filling almost as thick as the baguette slices themselves. it’s substantial but not at all overwhelming, a lovingly made brooklyn take on an elegant classic. melissa clark 228 flatbush avenue (bergen street), $9, bklynlarder.com the 2016 closing of porchetta, the chef sara jenkins’s ode to roasted pork in the east village, was something of a hyperlocal, food related tragedy. but a successor quietly appeared in 2015: foster sundry, an upscale shop in bushwick from a murray’s cheese alumnus. all the meats are butchered and prepared in house, including the smoked porchetta rubbed down with what the owner, aaron foster, calls “a luxurious amount” of fennel pollen imported from italy and served with arugula, fennel mayo and pickled fennel, all of it cut through with lemon and garlic. foster sundry may have been born of brooklyn’s peak artisanal era, when everything was small batch or bust, but its longevity proves that well made sandwiches are not just a passing fad. nikita richardson 215 knickerbocker avenue (troutman street), $16, fostersundry.com as long as dria atencio has been cooking   about 15 years   she has been dreaming up sandwiches. (“i have books and books and books of sandwich ideas,” she said.) those dreams became reality at her restaurant in ridgewood, where she serves this maximalist sandwich featuring house brined turkey, dill mayonnaise, dill havarti, dill pickles and avocado. the salty lunch lady operation is small, so there’s usually a short wait for your sandwich, but that just means starting with dessert   s’mores icebox cake, airy pavlova or banoffee pie from an old school rotating display case   while you wait. nikita richardson 565 woodward avenue (menahan street), $17, saltylunchlady.com there’s not a sandwich at golden diner that doesn’t merit an interminable brunch rush wait. take the chicken katsu club, which integrates the chicken katsus the owner and chef, sam yoo, grew up eating into a classic diner club. he starts with three slices of soft, japanese style milk bread and composes a two layer sandwich, creating a kewpie mayo sweetened blt on one side and the katsu elements on the other: panko crusted chicken thighs, cabbage slaw and bull dog tonkatsu sauce. consider just the cabbage. it’s sliced; salted, 2 percent by weight, to remove excess moisture; then rehydrated and seasoned with housemade thousand island dressing that uses bread and butter pickles from the pickle guys. “for every sandwich we do, our r&d process is similar to when we were in fine dining,” mr. yoo said. because each detail has been perfected, each bite is perfect. alexa weibel 123 madison street (market street), $19, goldendinerny.com the devotion to this sandwich is so great that even joking about taking it off the menu   as the chef jeremy salamon did this past april fools’ day   can send diners into a tailspin. in its original iteration, the tuna melt was an open faced tuna salad sandwich topped with matchstick fries. “i don’t know why we’re serving an open tuna sandwich when it really should be a tuna melt,” mr. salamon said to his sous chef, before creating agi’s now beloved version. oily, slow cooked tuna, alpine cheddar, pickled peppers, celery, dill and kewpie mayo come on toasted, pillowy pullman bread, with a small cup of cutting french mustard for every last bite. it’s an ever so slightly elevated take that proves that, maybe, it is worth trying to build a better mousetrap. nikita richardson 818 franklin avenue (union street), $17, agiscounter.com there’s a reason the tuna melt at s & p lunch has a devoted audience, and that reason is the tuna salad. take away the american cheese and what you’re left with is a model of the smooth, soft, mild, reassuring, ungentrified type of tuna salad that prevailed before the rise of aspirational mix ins like pimentón and grapes. like an expensive mattress, it is neither too soft nor too firm, and an encounter with it can fix aches and cricks you didn’t know you had. pete wells 174 fifth avenue (west 22nd street), $13, sandwich.place it’s the small details that separate good sandwiches from sandwiches you’d cross four lanes of traffic for. the patty melt that jody williams and rita sodi came up with for the commerce inn is a prime example. unlike so many patty melts one meets, it hasn’t got any dry corners or meatless edges or dull patches. note the texture of the beef   hand chopped, like tartare, so it’s tender and unstringy. see how the patty stretches all the way to the edge of the rye bread and a little beyond. taste the salt and pepper in the meat (“season it like you would a steak,” ms. williams said) and the rosemary in the caramelized onions. somebody has thought about these and countless other small details   small, but not minor. pete wells 50 commerce street (barrow street), $18, thecommerceinn.com do most soups translate into sandwiches? perhaps, but that doesn’t mean they should. gimmicky but legit, little kirin’s pho sandwich is a rare exception. the chef, brendan tran, takes the elements of pho (paper thin slivers of brisket, shaved white onion, chopped scallions and cilantro, fried shallots and hoisin) and nixes rice noodles for a ciabatta sub. heavily seasoned with star anise, the accompanying broth (sold separately, by customer demand) is as good as that of any pho in the city, and completes the soup to sandwich concept for a french dip meets pho moment. the meat braises for six hours and the lucent broth is simmered separately; this sandwich takes no shortcuts. alexa weibel 81 st. marks place (first avenue), $21, eatlittlekirin.com in a city where shawarma often serves as a late night snack to curb tomorrow’s hangover, spice brothers takes the popular middle eastern street food very seriously. every element of the sandwich   the spit it’s roasted on, the single origin of the spices that perfume the meat, the spelling of tahina   has been fussed over. but it’s not so precious that it doesn’t fit in perfectly on the eternally scruffy strip that is st. marks. nikita richardson 110 st. marks place (avenue a), $17, spicebrothersny.com thanh da on seventh avenue in sunset park has a long list of pho, bún and cháo, but the reliable all star is no. 4 on the sandwich list: the bánh mì xiú mai, or vietnamese style meatball sandwich. the nine inch crusty loaf comes stuffed with juicy meatballs, pink in the middle, with pickled carrots and radishes and bracing cilantro. wash it down with a pleasingly bitter cà phê sũa dá, vietnamese coffee rich with condensed milk. sara bonisteel 6008 seventh avenue (60th street), $9, no website admittedly, a ham sandwich is not an obvious thing to order at a place called hamburger america. this burger counter, though, is animated by a deep regard for simple roadside foods, and makes its sandwiches with the same respect for local traditions as in its oklahoma style onion burgers. in the case of the hot ham, the tradition is wisconsinian and began in milwaukee, where bakeries would give away rolls with the purchase of a pound of ham on sundays to lure in people on their way home from church. hamburger america slices the meat thin and warms it on a flattop under a sheet of swiss cheese. this goes on a hamburger bun rather than a roll baked that morning, which is too bad, but the bun is buttered and crisped to order in the vertical toaster that stands behind the counter. pete wells 51 macdougal street (west houston street), $7, hamburgeramerica.com most people probably go to xi’an famous foods for spicy hand pulled noodles, but it’s a mistake to skip out on the cumin lamb burger   though it is entirely unlike the hamburger you’re thinking of. it starts with slightly risen bread that is cooked on a griddle and flipped like a pancake, resulting in a crispy brown exterior and a fluffy center that hugs the chunks of spicy cumin lamb. the cumin lamb, a signature item at the restaurant and a staple in xinjiang, in northwest china, is a family recipe and one of the few dishes that jason wang, the owner, enjoyed as a child. christina morales multiple locations, $6, xianfoods.com in 2009, danny lyu took a vacation to mexico, where in the city of puebla he tried a cemita for the first time. that seeded bun sandwich remained on his mind until 2011, when he created his own version and sold it at the smorgasburg food market; in 2015, he opened cemitas el tigre in sunnyside, home to a large latino population, where he’s been welcomed with open arms. the thick sandwich is stuffed with a barbacoa made with short rib, similar to a version he ate in mexico city. and it is served with most of its traditional elements, including bread   made at a nearby mexican bakery   that is crustier than a hamburger bun. a layer of pinto bean purée is smeared on, along with a paste made with chipotle peppers and mayo. the barbacoa is topped with avocado, lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, the mexican herb papalo and a cold mound of shredded oaxacan cheese. christina morales 45 14 48th avenue (46th street), $14, cemitaseltigre.com the options for a proper cuban sandwich in new york city are scant. tico’s cuban american cafeteria, in bushwick, is one of the few restaurants making the sandwich just as delicious as any you’d find in miami. (take it from me, a native miamian.) albert teran, whose nickname is tico, marinates pork cushion meat for a day in a mojo sauce made with fresh orange and lime juice, garlic and oregano. that pork is roasted and packed between cuban bread from la gran via bakery in sunset park, along with smoked ham, garlic and dill pickles, swiss cheese and yellow mustard. brushed with butter, the sandwich is pressed until the crust is crisp and the cheese is gooey. “i wanted to make the most authentic cuban sandwich in new york city,” mr. teran said. christina morales 151 wilson avenue (suydam street), $15, ticocubancafe.com it’s been only a few months since this italian cafe and provisions shop opened in soho, and already it’s serving one of the city’s best new italian sandwiches. made with mortadella, rosemary ham and hot soppressata   all imported from italy   it also includes sweet roasted red peppers, made in house, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for tartness and a calabrian chile mayo that adds a subtle heat. the only thing that varies daily is the cheese, which could be either provolone, fontina or burrata. “it’s our discretion to see what we’re feeling,” said salvatore carlino, the owner and founder, who also operates lucia pizza next door. but the real star is the fresh, pillowy focaccia, made crunchy with flakes of salt. christina morales 301 west broadway (canal street), $12, instagram.com/lucia.alimentari the macpatty is one of those sandwiches that is greater than the sum of its parts, though those parts   pillowy coco bread, a crunchy patty, oxtail mac and cheese   are pretty good as well. joshua dat, who owns the shop with his family, knew that his guyana born father, ganesh, who’d spent much of his life working in other people’s caribbean restaurants, had the skills to make all the requisite parts. but leave it to a millennial, first generation american to repackage it all to the tune of viral tiktok fame, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly sales and a small expansion from hollis, queens, to the lower east side. it’s a story that has played out time and again in new york city, but it’s never any less magical when it happens. nikita richardson multiple locations, $14, datzdeliny.com we all had our pandemic era hyperfixations: sourdough baking, roller skating, “the queen’s gambit.” for ruben santana, it was an obsession with barbecue that also reflected his dominican roots. what does dominican american barbecue look like? a take on tres golpes, maduros as a side dish and this sandwich, which is a nod to both santo domingo and central texas. (mr. santana was inspired to start barbecuing after watching a video about the chef aaron franklin.) the success lies in the combination of crispy pork, fatty brisket, pickled onions and a slather of a sauce made with constanzera melaza, a popular brand of dominican molasses, for a touch of sweetness   something completely different and completely familiar. nikita richardson 55 water street (dock street), fifth floor, $18, instagram.com/bark_barbecue to be fair, a rubber ball wrapped in a flaky scallion pancake would taste great. but at this tiny brooklyn storefront serving both korean and syrian food (sometimes together), the bulgogi fatboy feels particularly special. the sandwich is a hulking specimen bursting at the seams with savory, soy and ginger laced beef, lettuce, rice and a gochujang based sauce. it’s hangover food that still manages to taste fresh and bright. the flavors of bibimbap meet the anatomy of a shawarma. most notably: it is easily two (if not three) meals in one sandwich, so make sure you leave with extra sauce. priya krishna 126 windsor place (prospect park west), $20, sykorestaurant.com both portions of the rowdy stand out in a city that over the past few years has become thick with chicken sandwiches. one of this manhattan chain’s tricks is to treat chicken like a pakora by coating it in a spiced batter dominated by chickpea flour. this produces a rugged and remarkably sturdy shell that maintains its crunch even as it laps up rowdy rooster’s fire breathing chile butter. pickled onions and mint chutney are brought to bear, too. yogurt blended with scallions does the job often performed by mayonnaise, and does it in a more interesting way. pete wells multiple locations, $9 and $12, rowdyrooster.com the husband and wife duo mika ohie and yoshihito kida have been serving soba at cocoron since 2011. they’ve since moved the soba restaurant down the street and opened cocoron market in the original space on the lower east side, where they’re now serving bento boxes, ramen and stellar japanese sandwiches. there aren’t a thousand layers of fried pork in their “mille feuille” pork katsu sando, only six, but you wouldn’t want any more. rich with japanese mayo and katsu sauce that seeps into fluffy white bread, it’s a delight to dig into on a bar stool, or hunched over standing outside on the delancey street sidewalk. becky hughes 61 delancey street (allen street), $11, cocoronandgoemon.com this ingenious cross between the sticky sweet dim sum staple char siu and a certain famous fast food sandwich received so much glowing attention when it landed at this cantonese american restaurant in williamsburg that mcdonald’s sent a cease and desist letter to the chef calvin eng in november. now, the dish formerly known as the char siu mcrib is the char siu bk rib, but it remains the top seller, and for good reason. it takes three days to marinate and steam the ribs, which are deboned and paired with a sesame milk bun, a smear of chinese hot mustard, sliced onion and bread and butter pickles. the pork melts into the bun, and the pickles and spicy mustard bring tangy, sharp relief. priya krishna 398 manhattan avenue (frost street), $28, bonniesbrooklyn.com editing by nikita richardson, mark josephson, brian gallagher and patrick farrell. design by umi syam, hang do thi duc and matt ruby. photo editing by gabriel h. sanchez. reporting by becky hughes, christina morales, julia moskin, alexa weibel, melissa clark, nikita richardson, pete wells, priya krishna and sara bonisteel. recipe development by alexa weibel, pete wells and sara bonisteel. photography by tony cenicola, liz clayman and heather willensky. additional production by amanda cordero, christina nguyen, laura kaltman, andrew rodriguez and jessica white. an earlier version of this article misstated the country that costa damaskos, an owner of baby blues luncheonette, immigrated from a decade ago. it was australia, not greece. an earlier version of the russ & daughters cafe entry in this article misstated the address of the cafe. it is 127 orchard street. the item also misstated the price of the cafe's classic board. it is $22, not $17. and it misstated the source of the cream cheese. it is from a small dairy working with the cafe, not ben’s cream cheese.

a portrait of the five boroughs between two slices of bread. oh, look! a new nyt list to nitpick on my list of sammiches to try, nonetheless: radio bakery’s smoked salmon alidoro’s michelangelo blue sky deli’s chopped cheese foster sundry’s porchettaboutit golden diner’s chicken katsu club agi’s counter’s confit tuna melt cemitas el tigre’s short rib barbacoa cemita even if someone’s unlikely to get around to trying these sandwiches in ny (raises hand), there look to be interesting sandwich ideas here. i look forward to poring through the list. just 57? wonder what the 58th sandwich was. wonder what the 58th sandwich was. probably either a hot dog or a taco. prosciutto and butter? prosciutto and butter??? actually that sounds delicious. gonna have to try that asap. sounds like a riff on … jambon beurre? i believe you are correct. and here i thought sandwiches in sf were expensive… i was befuddled by the story. i eat a lot of sandwiches for lunch. been doing that for decades. several of these are iconic to nyc. but many of them i couldn’t see the nyc connection. frankly a lot of them exist in a single place so i don’t understand how they could in anyway define the city. maybe it’s the writer. of all the food writers for the ny times, i find her stories the weakest. my recollection is that she is a relatively newcomer to the city. probably hasn’t figured out the city yet but she’s desperately trying to prove she belongs here. totally agree with your sentiment also the second best sandwich option in nyc in my opinion is fresh mozzarella, imported prosciutto, roasted red peppers with a bit of balsamic vinegar from a legitimate salumeria on good semolina bread not hard to find if you know where to look.pastrami is always the first option and while i am at it , sturgeon at barney greengrass is pretty hard to beat except for the pastrami smoked salmon. nova and a shmear for me at barney greengrass. to go, and i then eat it in central park. when i lived in nyc almost 30 years ago, i loved chicken parm sandwiches. my favourite breakfast sandwich is the originale at sullivan street bakery, with crispy prosciutto, eggs and semi dried tomatoes. this listicle from 2018 led me to it. the very best breakfast sandwiches are much more than the sum of their parts. i was befuddled by the story. there’s so much clickbait these days. nyt isn’t really writing this stuff for new yorkers anymore. (i mean the new york specific articles   the rest of the paper has always had broad readership of course). i mean, how many of us who actually live here have eaten how many of these? so “define” to whom? non new yorkers gawking in? (post deleted by author) aw, i knew i could count on the nyer contingent to chime in a lot of berliners (myself included) felt similar about the endless barrage of ‘articles’ in the nyt touting berlin as the coolest place to be on the planet, and prompting seemingly half of brooklyn to set up shop here   so i’m glad they moved on. and really, is there a greater pleasure of living in a popular city than being able to ridicule those less privileged and ‘desperate to belong?’ how many of us who actually live here have eaten how many of these? these exact sandwiches? three. and another seven or eight similar ones at different places that those mentioned. as someone who has never been to new york, i have to say that i’m enjoying this article, and it’s making me really hungry. i think it’s more aspirational than anything else. as someone from the sfba, i’m used to reading food articles about what is supposedly best here, and people rarely agree with them. i look forward to reading the nyt food section online every wednesday even knowing that most of it will be about places i’ll never experience. but one can dream, right? i think it’s more aspirational than anything else light summer reading with more or less enticing pics (i already mentioned the most salivatory sammiches in my op). i don’t expect to have my mind blown by any of these food feature articles. i always read these listicles and check off the ones i’ve tried. i haven’t gone through this 57 sandwich list yet. i’m embarrassed to say, despite living in nyc for a year in the 90s, and spending around 100 nights in nyc as a visitor over the past 40 years, i’ve never had a sandwich at katz’s or 2nd ave deli. i have been to sarge’s many times, and carnegie a couple times before it closed, and some other delis that are long gone. you should give 2nd avenue deli a try, if only because it’s one of the last true kosher delis in nyc. sandwich at katz’s don’t go for the pastrami   huge disappointment powered by discourse, best viewed with javascript enabled

recent and archived work by gabriel h. sanchez for the new york times as new york city’s troubled jail complex tries to improve its food, the people who cook there see a higher mission. by priya krishna and brittainy newman our 50 favorite places in america right now. here are 11 variations that reflect the country’s many facets, and the limitless things a great hamburger can be. by priya krishna and tejal rao we combed through a month’s worth of receipts from more than two dozen people across the u.s. to better understand our relationship to the food we buy. by priya krishna, tanya sichynsky and aliza aufrichtig a portrait of the five boroughs between two slices of bread. looking back on a family’s five generation devotion to a historic smokehouse and restaurant. by gabriel h. sanchez our critic, pete wells, drops his annual ranking. see what’s new, what moved and what left the list. by pete wells we gathered 121 menus from restaurants all over the country. together, they offer a glimpse into the tastes and values of today. by priya krishna, tanya sichynsky and umi syam scoring a table in new york can seem impossible, but may be easier than you think. here’s how the competition played out for one dinner, with tips from the winning players. by priya krishna, umi syam and aliza aufrichtig the 50 places in the united states that we’re most excited about right now. by brett anderson, sara bonisteel, melissa clark, brian gallagher, priya krishna, ligaya mishan, julia moskin, julia o’malley, eleanore park, tejal rao, nikita richardson, kim severson and pete wells the places in america we love most right now. as diners everywhere suffer the shock of inflation, we tally up the many costs and forces driving up menu prices at a single restaurant. by priya krishna and umi syam the 50 places in america we’re most excited about right now. by the new york times food desk

this site is made possible by member support. 💞 big thanks to arcustech for hosting the site and offering amazing tech support. when you buy through links on kottke.org, i may earn an affiliate commission. thanks for supporting the site! kottke.org. home of fine hypertext products since 1998. 🍔 💀 📸 😭 🕳️ 🤠 🎬 🥔 57 sandwiches that define new york city. never mind if you don’t live in or near nyc…this list is chock full of sandwich inspiration. my mouth was legit watering as i scrolled. sort by: thread   thread . latest . faves i sent this link to four friends this morning. and reading it so early made me hungry two hours before lunch time. damn delicious photography of sandwiches! the chopped sandwich from choppke’s is glaringly absent. though the chopped salad sandwich from farmer in the deli is in the 'let me get uhh' section   so that's something i suppose! i emailed the times about this oversight and they replied that imaginary sandwiches were not eligible for inclusion. reply in this thread in the comments there is a link to a map with all the places mentionned in the list oh and thx for this post which definitely made me drool. hello! in order to comment or fave, you need to be a current kottke.org member. if you'd like to sign up for a membership to support the site and join the conversation, you can explore your options here. existing members can sign in here. if you're a former member, you can renew your membership. note: if you are a member and tried to log in, it didn't work, and now you're stuck in a neverending login loop of death, try disabling any ad blockers or extensions that you have installed on your browser...sometimes they can interfere with the memberful links. still having trouble? email me! in order to comment or fave, you need to be a current kottke.org member. check out your options for renewal. this is the name that'll be displayed next to comments you make on kottke.org; your email will not be displayed publicly. i'd encourage you to use your real name (or at least your first name and last initial) but you can also pick something that you go by when you participate in communities online. choose something durable and reasonably unique (not "me" or "anon"). please don't change this often. no impersonation. note: i'm letting folks change their display names because the membership service that kottke.org uses collects full names and i thought some people might not want their names displayed publicly here. if it gets abused, i might disable this feature. if you feel like this comment goes against the grain of the community guidelines or is otherwise inappropriate, please let me know and i will take a look at it. hello! in order to leave a comment, you need to be a current kottke.org member. if you'd like to sign up for a membership to support the site and join the conversation, you can explore your options here. existing members can sign in here. if you're a former member, you can renew your membership. note: if you are a member and tried to log in, it didn't work, and now you're stuck in a neverending login loop of death, try disabling any ad blockers or extensions that you have installed on your browser...sometimes they can interfere with the memberful links. still having trouble? email me!

our small group adventures are inspired by our atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life. more than eight million diverse individuals call new york city home, and many of them share their heritage through food. whether it’s a billiards hall that serves stellar bhutanese fare or a mosque where malian vendors sell snacks for just a few hours each friday, the city offers a vast culinary landscape for those willing to explore it. venture beyond the flashy hotspots with months long waiting lists and you’ll find new york’s true flavor lies within the small restaurants and stands rooted in its thriving immigrant communities. located in the bronx's mott haven neighborhood, this oaxacan restaurant meets activist hub specializes in two things: immigrant rights and moles. through a door that proclaims "refugees welcome," beneath a giant flag that hangs from the purple wall declaring no deportaciones, this restaurant boasts an impressive array of moles, ranging from green to black to a seven pepper variety. but la morada's crown jewel is the rarest, fairest form: the mild, rich mole blanco. this luxurious sauce might appear bland, but the heat of serrano and habanero chiles lurks within. a blend of peanuts, pine nuts, and peeled almonds imparts its supreme creaminess, with some extra flavor from garlic. its default presentation is atop dark meat chicken with rice and beans, but for a few dollars extra, you can swap in pork, white meat chicken breast, seasonal veggies, or chile relleno. be sure to wash the hearty meal down with a refreshing horchata. the restaurant is run by the mendez saavedra family, originally from the mixteca region of oaxaca. the family doesn’t shy away from discussing their undocumented history and la morada operates as a community activism center, hosting regular events focused on immigrant rights. don't forget to peruse the lending library featuring titles on everything from social movements in oaxaca to the rise of fascism in new york after savoring as much mole as you can muster. la morada is closed on sundays. 308 willis avenue, the bronx, ny, 10454 once a week, malian muslims in harlem head to the timbuktu islamic center for jumu'ah, the friday afternoon communal prayer. outside, vendors await with an array of snacks and drinks that hail from the west african nation. you'll often find thiakry, a millet grain pudding with a milky, tangy base, along with bottles of zingy hibiscus flower juice that start sweet and end incredibly sour. there might be baggies of smoked and boiled peanuts, sweet balls of fried dough, or spicy, fish filled dumplings. once you've procured your snacks, find a bench at the nearby park on malcolm x boulevard between west 143rd and 145th streets to sit and dig in. the vendors typically appear on fridays around 4:00 p.m. but these are informal food stands, so it's possible that a vendor might not show up, or might appear late or close early. bring cash and, if taking photos, please just focus on the food, as the vendors do not wish to be photographed. 103 west 144th street, new york, ny, 10029 in manhattan's yorkville neighborhood, heidelberg survives as enduring evidence of what was once an enclave of german immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. with its stucco exterior, rustic touches of wood, and historic art (all the paintings are more than a century old, and the framed needlepoints were done by the owner's grandmother, who bought the venue in the 1960s), this family owned german restaurant and bar still proudly embraces the identity on which it was built in the 1930s. an oddity among the menu's expected selection of crisp lagers is the berliner weisse, a tart, fizzy wheat ale. the style, which originated around berlin, hearkens back to a time when northern german brewers didn't follow the country's strict beer purity laws and made sour wheat ales that more closely resembled those of belgium. in the 19th century, servers started countering the tangy flavors of the ale with sweet syrup. though berliner weisse's popularity has faded in its native home, some bartenders continue the tradition of mixing in green tinged woodruff (waldmeister) syrup, based on the sweet scented bedstraw plant, or pink raspberry syrup known as himbeersaft. heidelberg uses the latter, leading to the perfect summer refresher: sour, sweet, crisp, and, most importantly in the heat, lower in alcohol than most lagers or ales. if you want your beer to go, head to schaller and weber, a few doors down. the store often stocks both syrups. tell the staff you're looking to mix your own berliner weisse with syrup and they'll point you toward the best beer. 1648 2nd avenue, new york, ny, 10028 with its drawn curtains and the quiet of surrounding woodside homes, you might wonder if weekender is even open. but one step inside will remove all doubt: men chatter as they lean over snooker tables, billiard balls clack against each other, and customers huddle in the carpeted dining area, happily tucking into the fiery flavors of bhutan. while favorites such as the chili and cheese packed ema datshi and the unctuous fatty pork and potato dish phagsha sikam pak get all the glory, it's worth celebrating the side that comes with every meal at weekender: bhutanese red rice. don't be fooled by its humble appearance. this heirloom grain is incredibly unique, thriving only in the remote, high altitude farmlands of bhutan, where ancient glacial water infuses the crops with minerals. its color ranges from white pink to red, depending on the variety and how much of the husk remains after processing. the rice's subtle nutty flavor aptly balances the heat of bhutan's traditional dishes. at weekender, be prepared for spice (seriously, you might eat the ema datshi and weep) with a chance of spontaneous festivity. staff members have been known to break into impromptu karaoke sessions, including both american and bhutanese hits. weekender is closed on wednesdays. the rice isn't listed on the menu, but it's included with every meal. 41 46 54th street, queens, ny, 11377 jackson heights pulses with the sounds, colors, and scents of tibet, thailand, colombia, mexico, and india. a dizzying stretch of culinary outposts line the sidewalk beneath the 7 train, churning out quick, authentic fare from countries as far from each other as they are from new york. for a taste of the himalayan highlands, venture to the aptly named himalayan yak. here, yak meat fills sausage, chili, and momos (dumplings). its most delicate manifestation, however, is yak cheese. on the plains of tibet and nepal, yaks provide not only meat, but dairy used to make butter tea, a filling, energy boosting beverage, and cheese. himalayan yak's cheese, from free range nepalese yaks, is nutty, slightly smoky, and firm. the pale yellow cubes require little fanfare: they're served simply with a side of either apples or oranges. to double down on the yak, try the savory yak momos or yak gyuma, a wickedly rich, velvety black blood sausage. despite containing meat from a rugged plains animal, each pan fried slice of sausage reveals no hint of gaminess. 72 20 roosevelt avenue, queens, ny, 11372 nestled beside a laundromat on a residential block in rego park, this shrine to dough is easily missed. but passing by would be more sinful than gorging on what leavened wonders await inside. at rokhat kosher bakery, two brothers from uzbekistan stretch, stamp, and stuff breads and pastries for queens’ community of bukharan jews. fluffy, warm discs of non (braid ringed, sesame flecked flatbread stamped with patterns) and pouches of savory samsa (rich, flaky dough stuffed with lamb and onions) beckon from behind glass. a mound of dome shaped, cracker crisp toke tempts shoppers from a stack on the counter. since items are unlabeled, you have two options: ask for what you want (even if you don't see it in front, it could be freshly made, waiting in back) or go with your gut and let your senses guide you. just don't leave without the samsa or without peeking in the back to see the bakery itself: it's filled with traditional central asian ovens called tanoors, including one that's large enough to walk inside. rokhat is closed on saturdays and often sells out early on fridays before the sabbath. they don't have a website but are typically open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 65 43 austin street, queens, ny, 11374 known as “the king of fruits,” durians are adored, despised, and undeniably infamous. they smell like rotting flesh, look like sea creatures, feel like medieval weapons, and take some fans to an unctuous, cream based paradise. though they're incredibly popular in southeast asia, there are only a few places to try them in the united states. enter durian nyc, the preeminent cart for both whole and presliced fruit, painstakingly inspected for freshness prior to sale. this unassuming stall in chinatown, situated on the corner of grand street and bowery, has enlightened new yorkers' eyes, noses, and mouths to the magic of durian for nearly 20 years. its long standing acclaim results from its first owner, who established a reputation for quality assessment and warning customers about local, inferior distributors. if the fruit isn't fresh enough, the vendor might not set up the stand that day. call 917 662 2288 to check, especially if you're coming from far away. 230 grand street new york, ny, 10013 once you hop off the staten island ferry and head past borough hall, you might start to smell grandma's cooking. that’s because, from thursday through sunday, a nonna (italian for "grandmother") from a different part of the world heads the kitchen at enoteca maria. the project came about after owner joe scaravella lost his mother in the early 2000s. to create a feeling of homey comfort in the restaurant he opened after her death, he staffed the kitchen with italian grandmothers. in july of 2015, scaravella invited a pakistani grandmother to guest star for the night, and "nonnas of the world" was born. now, a consistently rotating menu, ranging from trinidadian to sri lankan to argentinian cuisine, is served for dinner. lunch, however, will always be prepared by an italian nonna. check the restaurant's website for the lineup of that week's nonnas. bring cash and, if you want to ensure a seat, make a reservation. 27 hyatt street, staten island, ny, 10301 in brighton beach, brooklyn's seaside eastern european community, an unassuming grocery store offers its fair share of regional delights. among these are legendary spice cookies from tula, russia. ever since the 17th century, the city has been known for intricately designed cookies known as tula pryanik. their patterns originally came from the city's gunsmiths, who used their free time to carve increasingly elaborate wooden presses for cookies. they're often stamped with the city’s coat of arms and either "tula" or “a gift from tula.” in the store, simply look for the packaged baked goods aisle or a standing display with a cardboard teapot on top. if you're not feeling like a cookie, options abound to satisfy cravings for the sour, savory, or sweet. bottles of bubbly, fermented kvass line the shelves. logs of chocolate y, rum and cognac inflected kartoshka call out from the bakery, and a cold bar boasts specialties such as "herring under a fur coat" and soviet korean carrot salad. and since you’re here, why not pick up some pine cone preserves, a georgian and siberian specialty? take your provisions to the park across the street for a picnic, or jaunt over to the boardwalk to sit and watch the waves. in the unlikely event the bazaar is out of tula pryanik, try gourmanoff, another eastern european grocer, a block away. 1007 brighton beach avenue, brooklyn, ny, 11235 a giant, painted jaguar watches over the scene that unfurls daily at ix, a colorful guatemalan restaurant on the eastern edge of brooklyn's prospect park. customers waiting for a table will notice a a stack of small jars beside the register. each houses ix's signature b'alam q'tün hot sauce. smoky hot and nebulously dark, the sauce gets its distinct flavor from a blend of roasted garlic, olive oil, black salt, and chile cobanero. native to the highlands of central guatemala, this fiery, inch long pepper has enhanced indigenous cuisine for thousands of years. locals around the modern day city of cobán started cultivating the plant during the maya era, as far as back as 250 a.d. balanced, full bodied pepián offers a less tongue searing way to enjoy chile cobanero, stewing spices with tender chicken, potatoes, and corn into a ruby red delight. but you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurant’s rich, flavorful stews that celebrate the delicate combination of flavors that define guatemalan cuisine. 43 lincoln road, brooklyn, ny, 11225 almost everything about cafe rue dix is a celebration of warmth. on summer days, the french senegalese restaurant's floor to ceiling windows are slid fully open to let the sunshine and breeze filter across the tables. the inviting smell of burning incense wafts through the air. there's even a mural on the wall of a sun dappled street. then, there's the coffee. the cafe makes a beloved brew from touba, senegal, that's rumored to have been created for fueling late night sufi chanting sessions. café touba gets its distinct flavor from cloves and an african spice known as djar, which adds spicy, bitter flavors and a nutmeg aftertaste. spiritual leader cheikh ahmadou bamba who founded the city of touba in 1887 is said to have created the heady concoction to clear chanters' throats, settle their stomachs, and keep them awake. cafe rue dix serves their house blend with milk (dairy or nondairy options are available). you can pull up a seat at the bar, grab a table, or simply order your uniquely senegalese pick me up at the to go coffee counter in the back. hungry? order some senegalese nems, spring rolls brought to dakar by vietnamese women who met and married west african soldiers during the french indochina war and accompanied them home. 1451 bedford avenue, brooklyn, ny 11216 prospect heights a cluster of urban attractions, from the gargantuan barclays center to the brooklyn academy of music. but last year, just a couple blocks away from the crowds, an elegant persian eatery appeared, and it's been racking up acclaim ever since. dining at sofreh does lean upscale, but the food is sublime and well worth the prices. plus, the phenomenal desserts run for only $7 each. the sweet and savory, fragrant persian ice cream sandwich tucks saffron ice cream between two crisp wafers, accented by rose water and pistachios. for a lighter option, try the faloodeh, which features rose water sorbet atop frozen vermicelli noodles bathing in sweet, zesty lime. for an optimized experience, order both. reservations are recommended for dinner, though there is a bar that's first come, first served. it's easiest to simply come for a treat or nightcap later in the evening. 75 st. mark's avenue, brooklyn, ny 11217 there’s more to mardi gras than the raucous parade on bourbon street. travel outside new orleans and you’ll find a diverse array of celebrations ranging from the traditional courir de mardi gras to a sustainable parade with no plastic (and no barriers). each is unique, and most are more family friendly than nola’s well known bacchanal. we’ve compiled some ideas for celebrating the holiday while dancing, while supporting a good cause    and even while getting up close to some swamp creatures. get ready to see what louisiana has to offer. in germany, the winter holidays are a gift that never stops giving. from christmas markets to skiing adventures in the alps, the country’s main seasonal attractions are well known, but the cooler months of december to march also offer much more off the beaten path. hidden snowscapes, markets, and manors straight out of the brothers grimm books promise a unique turn to the wintertide. here are some of the best, lesser known places for outdoor fun and indoor warm ups across the country. and if you’re ready to book your next trip, lufthansa operates direct flights from 20 u.s. cities to germany, making it easier than ever to plan the perfect german winter adventure. what makes california an absolute playground for prehistoric artifacts? is it because so much of the state is undeveloped desert? is it because the entire state was once a warm, shallow sea roughly 500 million years ago? or is it because california was home to some of the earliest human settlements in north america? if you answered “all of the above,” you’re correct! here in california, the distant past has a habit of poking its nose into the present in weird and wonderful ways the stops on this prehistoric itinerary will show you why. once gold was discovered in the deserts of the american west, people from all over the world converged there in the middle of the 1800s. it took some time, however, for law enforcement and civil society to catch up hence the period of american history now dubbed “the wild west.” while the gold is gone and the desert towns of california’s interior are now calm, law abiding communities, that historical spirit lives on in the towns, architecture, and museums along this daring itinerary. this is the wild west like you’ve never seen it before. many different cultures have called california home over the years, from the chinese to the dutch to the japanese, and what they all had in common was an insatiable sweet tooth. this delicious itinerary explores this legacy in the form of fortune cookies, sodas, donuts, cupcakes, and more. finish your dinner you’re definitely going to want what california’s got for dessert! with shoreline from end to end, it’s no wonder california has some of the wildest marine excursions, architecture, and animal life in the country. grab your surfboard, pack your binoculars, and bring a towel there’s a world of wonder packed in this itinerary along california’s curious coastline. when it comes to food, catalans do it better. despite having a population of just over eight million smaller than the state of virginia the region is home to 54 michelin starred restaurants, 12 designated wine regions, and nine official wine routes. catalonia also has more than four million acres of farmland, with many of its 54,000 farms adhering to organic practices. but to understand catalan food culture, you must look beyond the statistics: to the secret herb formulas for making vermouth and the family recipes passed down through generations; the ancient rice paddies, olive mills, and an entire tradition built around a humble vegetable, the calçot. you’ll need to look, too, to the people of catalonia, whose deep rooted love of all things gastronòmica means that every moment of the day, week, or year is a potential culinary celebration. here’s where and how to experience 10 of the best catalan food traditions on your next visit to the region. a paradise in the desert, palm springs is a city of contrasts. kitsch sidles up to luxury, natural beauty serves as the backdrop to architectural marvels, and when you soak in an ancient hot spring, you might catch the latest tv star doing the same. one of the biggest contrasts is this: while palm springs is a beloved vacation spot, it still holds lesser known wonders waiting to be discovered. looking for something you’ll find nowhere else? head down a nondescript residential street and find an army of enormous pink robots. if you’ve got a case of the shoppies, there’s an antique mall to explore and an artist community full of galleries and studios. if you want to learn about the area’s human history, look no further than the agua caliente cultural plaza (and take a soak in the spring fed waters while you’re at it). natural areas allow you to explore canyons and waterfalls; restaurants and bars let you feel like you’re flying on a midcentury airline or in the audience of a vintage game show; heck, you can even get up close and personal with a windmill farm. and if you’d rather just see all of it from above, you can ride the world’s largest rotating tram car from the desert floor up to the san jacinto mountains. the question isn’t “does palm springs have something for me?” but “how am i going to fit it all in?” start with this list. a presidential tomb that carries endless drama. a thriving prehistoric society that vanished without a trace. a haunted fun house with a wine cellar apparition.when you think of illinois, you probably don't think of mysterious mounds, creepy clowns, and a park filled with dragons and wizards. we figure it’s time we changed that. jump in and join us for a whirling tour through some of illinois’s most inexplicable, unexpected, and unsuspecting sites. from its remote log cabins and carbonated natural springs to the tale of how the nez perce people came to be, idaho is a land brimming with curious wonder. there’s so much to see and do in this northwestern state, whether it’s taking a drive along a 135 mile long scenic byway dedicated to sacajawea the only woman to accompany lewis and clark on their historic expedition or discovering the history of the basque people at a museum that sits smack dab in the middle of the largest basque community in the us. we’ve rounded up 10 captivating sites that help bring the incredible story of idaho to life get ready for the ultimate road trip. with its wooded mountains, industrial history, and wide, sweeping coastal shores, north carolina is a surprisingly haunted state, an ideal site for lingering ghosts and bumps in the night. while many visitors flock to the tar heel state for pulled pork barbecue, pristine beaches, and towering mountains, it’s also rich in hauntings, and perfect for a ghost tour. in the appalachian mountains, you’ll find abandoned ghost towns ravaged by floods, and vanderbilt mansions with spooky hidden passageways; on the coast, you can take a ferry to a long forgotten island village, home only to ruins and specters. and beneath the waters of the state’s largest man made lake, you may just find a monster to rival that of loch ness. below, we’ve collected some of north carolina’s best, spookiest, and most haunted sites, each home to hidden histories. a world famous animator. a wild west outlaw. the patron saint of prairie literature. and an iconic, mustachioed novelist. these are just a few famous residents of missouri’s history. across the state, homes and museums and gardens have been preserved and dedicated to these beloved missourians. you can tour the childhood homes of walt disney and mark twain, visit the homestead where laura ingalls wilder wrote the little house books, and visit a penitentiary where world heavyweight boxing champion sonny liston learned the sport. the “show me” state is full of history everywhere you look, much of it tied to the lives of the people who lived, worked, and made art here. you could easily spend a month eating through alabama’s restaurants, from fish shacks to fine dining havens, and barely scratch the surface. thanks to its position on the gulf coast and its long growing season, the state is brimming with delicious cuisines, both traditional and forward thinking. one day you may be digging into perfectly fried fish in a refurbished camp along the coast, and the next you might be drinking a glass of local beer paired with a locavore salad set atop a white tablecloth. from its signature barbecue sauce to its gulf shrimp to the unique creation that is west indies salad, alabama is an eater’s paradise. here are some of the restaurants dishing up the state’s signature meals. the innovative mix of mexican, mediterranean and asian inspired flavors and cooking techniques has created a delectable fusion, “baja med.” food is the conduit to creating community here, among local farmers, fishermen and restaurant entrepreneurs; and with visitors who are open to experiencing the richness of the land and culture via exquisite tastes, sensory immersion, and creative presentation. with all its tidal pools, mangrove islands, and estuaries, florida’s gulf coast shoreline is one of the most dynamic in the country. throw into the mix almost a thousand natural springs, and florida truly is a place with as much to explore both above water as below. this ten stop itinerary is by no means exhaustive. the mermaid shows, cave diving, underwater museums, mangrove kayaking, and wildlife watching opportunities presented here still only scratch the surface   and the depths   of the myriad activities possible along this wondrous coastline. monterey county, nestled on california’s stunning pacific coast, is a treasure trove of lush landscapes and breathtaking ocean views. but beyond its natural beauty lies a rich tapestry of human history waiting to be explored. hike a national historic trail while learning about the area's indigenous communities; watch a thrilling race at the storied laguna seca raceway; and get lunch at a restaurant that epitomizes the oaxacan presence in monterey. this itinerary will take you to museums and reserves across the county and its thousands of years of human history. in a city like charlotte, it’s easy to stick to the new and the known. but dig deeper and you’ll find that the queen city isn’t just a spot for barbeque and southern fare, but a melting pot with immigrants who dreamed of displaying the best of their culture on dinner plates and front porches. you’ll find that a taste of italy is just as close as the corner store; you can experience the magic of dining inside an historic craftsman bungalow in one of charlotte’s iconic neighborhoods. hear from owners who have spent their lives here, cultivating menus that keep patrons coming back week after week for decades. though driven by new growth, the charm of old charlotte still exists in the corners of the city, and the flavors of global cuisine are sprinkled throughout, just waiting to be discovered. let this guide be your culinary inspiration to go and try it for yourself. the talimena national byway travels roughly 15 miles through western arkansas to the oklahoma line, meandering through the stunning ouachita national forest, arkansas’ second highest peak at rich mountain, and into historic queen wilhelmina state park. dig into small town history, savor a juicy burger at a remote country store, and marvel at scenic overlooks and waterfalls along the way. spanning roughly 300 miles through the state of arkansas, the scenic 7 byway is a road tripper’s mecca. dense pine woodlands in the south give way to the verdant arkansas river valley, reaching the lush ozark and ouachita mountains. dig for crystals, sample the state pie, explore natural formations, and soak in the natural state’s rich culture and history as you stretch your legs at these worthwhile stops. spanning the state of missouri, from st. joseph to hannibal, highway 36 is full of intriguing stops packed with incredible stories of innovation. known as “the way of american genius,” the route highlights inventions and individuals who left a lasting mark. from the starting point of the pony express and the bakery that introduced sliced bread to magical towns that sparked inspiration for creative geniuses walt disney and mark twain, these spots along missouri’s highway 36 will leave any traveler dreaming of the next big thing. for washingtonians, there’s “washington” the well known stretch of historic sites and cultural institutions that draws visitors from around the country to the nation’s capital and then there’s the city they call home. that’s d.c., a patchwork of vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, each with their own rich history and distinct culture alive with go go music, locally made spirits, community conversations, and indie art. these are just a few of the landmarks locals know in northwest d.c. from the cycling path that leads to an artists’ community to a risqué mural that signals some of the best blues in the district. while las vegas is known for its glitzy neon signs, buzzing clubs and nightlife, and over the top casinos, the region itself is also home to some wondrous bars and eateries that lie well beyond the crowded strip. this super bowl season, it’s time to engage in a new type of tailgate. from a stripmall world of tiki to a downhome diner where daily specials are part of the allure, here are 9 places that offer a culinary escape from the bright lights of nevada’s most iconic city. from whimsical private home tours to funky creative hubs, hands on glass blowing galleries, and lots more, there’s no shortage of alluring art attractions in st. pete/clearwater. hugging the manatee river, just south of tampa bay, bradenton is a central florida destination brimming with soul. at the annual downtown bradenton public market, peruse the goods of nearly 100 vendors and pick up beach themed art, local coffee, gifts, jewelry, clothes, and much more. equally diverse is one of the bradenton area’s hippest neighborhoods, the vibrant village of the arts, home to nearly 20 funky art galleries, plus top notch restaurants serving southern soul food and more. a sustainability minded vintage shop and an authentic italian café known for its fresh from the garden pesto and daily baked breads are worthy draws, as is the carnegie library, with its packed corridors of historic county papers and artifacts. history buffs will also love to travel back in time at the manatee village historical park, with over 15 distinctive historical and replica sites, including a steam engine, general store, and blacksmith shop. and the sacred native american burial grounds and countless encounters with florida’s diverse wildlife inspires awe at the 365 acre emerson point preserve. with its impressive variety of sites to see, places to eat, and things to do, bradenton’s reputation as the friendly city is equally welcoming. here are 10 destinations to get you started on your next visit to the bradenton area. perched at the mouth of the mississippi river, new orleans has been a crossroads of cultures since its first indigenous inhabitants. just over a century ago, the interplay of west african, european, and caribbean influences in the crescent city forged the signature sound of american jazz. today, thanks to the culture bearers who have passed this musical tradition down over generations, you can still hear what those jazz geniuses were cooking up. what’s more, music infuses every part of life in new orleans, from football games to funeral processions, parades to public parks. here are 10 places to immerse yourself in the rich landscape of new orleans’ musical scene. looking for a surprising and scenic backdrop to sip on some extraordinary wines? enter: catalonia. a less obvious choice than, say, bordeaux or tuscany, catalonia has no fewer than 300 wineries spread across 12 designated regions (or denominaciones de origen) in an area the size of maryland. that’s a lot of grapes per square mile. nine wine routes have been specially developed to show off the best of each one. here are 10 experiences in the do penedès wine route, the doq priorat wine route, the do alella wine route, the do empordà wine route and the do pla de bages wine route to explore some of the most quaffable wines in the region. to soak in the soul of kansas city, you can sink your teeth into succulent brisket burnt ends, bask in the melodies of live jazz at one of the city’s legendary venues, or catch a thrilling chiefs game  and that's just the beginning of uncovering its rich tapestry. but there’s another side to kc under the radar destinations that are packed with wonder and intrigue. peel back a layer, and kansas city reveals unexplored magic: from a holy finger housed in a world class museum and a 70 year old lunch counter that still keeps lines out the door, to the historic social epicenter of black jazz and an original private collection winston churchill work of art   and there’s even more waiting to be explored. here are nine hidden wonders of kansas city. with its high peaks and verdant valleys, vermont is meant for exploration. go beyond its natural beauty and you’ll find the state’s creative side, in both historically notable institutions and the contemporary arts community quietly making wondrous work. this itinerary will take you from cherished museums to off the beaten path cultural gems including a library and opera house that straddles the u.s. canada border, a collection of antiques that contains an 892 ton steamboat, and a gothic church turned rock club. through river towns and over mountaintops, you’ll see magnificent steel sculptures rise from rolling hayfields and expansive murals covering main streets. you’ll meet puppeteers and painters, dog lovers, and dreamers. so buckle up and wind your way to these 10 exciting art destinations that are sure to inspire your own creativity. while lobsters, blueberries, and whoopie pies certainly come to mind when thinking about the edible wonders of maine, they’re also just the tip of the iceberg. stick to the headliners and you’ll miss out on some other uniquely maine food and drink. within the 3,500 miles of tidal coast, the quaint mountain towns, and nature adjacent cities that make up the pine tree state, you’ll encounter off the beaten path culinary settings including the only food truck park in new england, a deer isle sculpture park that sells jams and jellies, and a james beard nominated eatery operating out of a 100 year old dining car. you’ll meet one of a kind food figures like the speech pathologist running a flour mill out of a former jailhouse, or an amish deli run by a military man turned chef out of a log cabin without electricity. and you’ll taste some of maine’s lesser lauded flavors, from seaweed jerky to maple syrup brandy and blueberry port. so do enjoy maine’s revered blueberries, seafood, and baked goods. just remember the myriad culinary curiosities also waiting in the wing for you. asheville might be the best food city you haven’t visited. this mountain town in western north carolina has long been a destination for foodies a self proclaimed foodtopia® and beer lovers: thanks to the region’s rich culinary history, and the town’s quirky, creative soul, it has become a hotbed of culinary experimentation, top notch microbreweries, and community focused, farm to table food. even better   it comes with a breathtaking mountain backdrop. here are 10 places to explore some of the best food and drink in the region. a destination with thriving cultural cities, charming small towns, nature parks, and some of the top ranked beaches in the country, st. pete/clearwater is the best of florida all in one neat, welcoming peninsula. so welcoming, in fact, that the region is seeing a steady population growth that is fueling something of a cultural renaissance. the newcomers it’s attracting in tandem with the locals who’ve been here all along are building an eclectic community, with some unexpectedly tasty results. out of towners arrive with creative business concepts like tropical art deco cafés or a pizzeria run by an acrobatic pizzaiolo. the local crowd reimagines long standing structures, from a historic theater turned roaring ‘20s nightclub to an atm turned taco stand. and far flung emigres weave strands of their home countries into the global tapestry that is st. pete/clearwater, from a british tea parlor to a french vietnamese restaurant serving two chefs’ childhood favorites. so by all means, come for the lively nightlife, the pristine beaches, and the wondrous museums. just don’t forget to bring your appetite, too. welcome to st. pete/clearwater. colorado is known for its towering mountains adorned with wildflowers, waterfalls, and endless hiking trails; however, some of its best kept secrets lie on the eastern half of the state. this adventure will take you to the furthest reaches of colorado’s beautiful prairie and up into the pristine foothills of the wet mountains   all places seldom visited and teeming with intrigue. the locations below have been hand picked for their uniqueness and ability to inspire you to journey through time via some of colorado’s most obscure and interesting haunts found on the high plains. texas is a wide ranging, diverse, and expansive state. even the barbecue you’ll get from one county to another is never the same, and the music sounds a little different in the depths of west texas than it does in the panhandle. texas is huge you’ve probably heard that and it offers attractions to match its size. we’ve rounded up our favorite places to see the heights and depths of texas from its tallest peaks to its heftiest steaks. put on your ten gallon hat and your tallest boots, and set out on a road trip that’ll help you get a sense of just how big the state really is. a surplus of space always means a surplus of creative possibility. texas, with its never ending skies, wide deserts, and even bigger imaginations, takes this idea to thrilling conclusions. if you’re interested in planning an art focused road trip, you won’t find a better destination than texas, where one day you’ll be browsing an obsessive collection of outsider art, and the next day you’ll be walking through a hidden alley covered in umbrellas or beneath a neon skyscape. here are eight of the most exciting art destinations in the state to inspire your mind and thrill your eyes. one of the most thrilling ways to explore a new place is to go underground. spelunking, or cave exploration, offers a completely different view: instead of seeing what’s been built up, you see what hides beneath. texas, with its rich and varied geological history, has a wide collection of subterranean attractions. say goodbye to above ground reality for a while, and plan a trip exploring below the surface. here’s how. texas summers don’t mess around: it gets hot around these parts. which is why swimming holes are so important to the state’s residents and, luckily, its geography. around the state, you’ll find natural springs, waterfalls, lakes, and even mermaids to welcome you into fresh waters. whether you’re planning a swimming themed road trip or need a spot to cool off the next time you’re in the panhandle, these are our favorite places to splash around in texas. visit any honky tonk around the state and you’ll immediately know: texans love their music. this is a state rich with musical history and musical culture, from the roots of country music to libraries dedicated to the preservation of historic gospel records. below are some of the most interesting ways to experience music and sound in the state, whether you’re a country music lover or simply a traveler with curious ears. as the largest state in the contiguous u.s., texas also holds a vast amount of the country’s history. while we all remember the alamo, there’s also a trove of geological, cultural, and even gastronomic history among texas’ wide skies and vast deserts. here are some of the most exciting spots to learn about the state’s past, while enjoying its present. the northern territory is home to rich aboriginal culture that spans back around 60,000 years. the history, culture, and stories of the dozens of aboriginal nations that make up the area are an intrinsic part of every experience you will have here.located in the central north of australia, the northern territory is three times the size of california, but has a population of only 250,000. it’s a land with a deep and sacred connection to its history, colorful deserts, and lush tropical rainforests. visit the northern territory to experience the ancient wisdom of aboriginal astronomers, sample unique bush tucker, and see creatures found nowhere else in the world. the u street corridor is an epicenter of art and african american heritage in washington, dc. once known as “black broadway,” u street was the center of black culture in america. (it’s where duke ellington was born!) though the neighborhood struggled in the years following the 1968 riots, it’s as vibrant as ever today. start your day on u street at a mural honoring black americans from harriet tubman to dave chapelle, and end at a beloved ethiopian restaurant where you might be lucky enough to catch some live music and dancing. along the way you’ll grab a drink, uncover forgotten history, and stand inside theaters where everyone from ella fitzgerald to nirvana have performed. the american south is a mecca of delectable, comforting, and enduring cuisines from an array of cultures. ranging from creole to soul, and from appalachian to zimbabwean, our multi state guide offers a unique tasting adventure that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. this itinerary blends some of the most iconic, lesser known food stops across louisiana, mississippi, tennessee, and north carolina into one unforgettably tasty road trip. delaware may not be the largest state in the country (in fact, it’s the second smallest, and could squeeze into the next biggest state, connecticut, two times comfortably). it’s not the most metropolitan, either (in fact, its capital city, dover, is one of the least populated capital cities in the country). delaware is, however, the oldest state in the country. the rich history therein, along with the natural beauty of the blue hen state and the unique characters who have called it home, make it a true hidden gem. from opulent family gardens to cannonball riddled homes to fascinating defense structures, this itinerary will guide you through some of the state’s most extraordinary attractions. beside outdoor activities like kayaking, horseback riding, and fishing, there’s also historic homes, museums, and art installations of unthinkable scale. sometimes, it’s true what they say the best things do come in small packages. welcome to delaware. at the heart of the south, charlotte is a booming city full of new life. cranes have dotted the skyline for more than a decade as it has become the most populous city in north carolina. there is so much to see in charlotte, from a rose garden hidden just outside the city center to a retro video rental store with over 30,000 titles. what many newcomers don’t know is charlotte’s deep rooted history that dates back to before the colonies became the united states. this list of 10 destinations will only scratch the surface of the many special places to visit in the queen city. nestled in the imposing rocky mountains of colorado and the gorgeous high alpine valleys, the historic hot springs loop is a treasure trove of geothermal hot spring resorts and destinations, offering visitors a chance to unwind and recharge in pristine natural mineral waters. the loop, which stretches from glenwood springs to ouray, is home to an array of distinctive hot spring resorts, each with their own unique history, atmosphere, and therapeutic properties. from the luxurious spa like feel of glenwood hot springs with the world’s largest geothermal pool, to the rustic charm of ouray hot springs with soothing vapor caves, there's something for every type of hot spring enthusiast. arizona has some of the most beautiful and surprising landscapes the american west has to offer. the geography of this northeastern stretch of the sonoran desert can be incredibly dramatic. and while we’ve all heard of or seen the majesty of the grand canyon, there are a number of lesser known natural wonders that will take you off the beaten path in this gorgeous state. in the desert of arizona, a string of ghost towns have been preserved and refurbished to give visitors a glimpse into the history of miners and the businesses who served them during the boom times of the turn of the century. whether you want to pan for gold, discover junk art, or stay a night in a mining engineer’s cabin, these ghost towns will transport you into arizona’s wild west past. just a short trip north of new york city, the hudson valley is great for both day trips and road trips. atlas obscura co founder dylan thuras is a local resident, and loves the natural wonders, as well as the incredible culture and history found in the region. this itinerary combines his favorite spots into one stunning road trip. start your adventure at a living antique aviation museum near the historic town of red hook, and end with dinner at a victorian resort. along the way, you’ll make pit stops at towering waterfalls, a giant kaleidoscope, and incredible views of the beautiful hudson valley. when people think of maine, it’s often the rugged beauty of the coast that comes to mind: sunsets over craggy shorelines, lighthouses surrounded by towering pines, and lobster boats dotting the bay. but whether you’re angling for a hike, paddle, or simply a long drive through the backcountry, there’s no shortage of spectacular natural features throughout all of maine’s 16 counties. this itinerary will take you from secluded coves along maine’s coastline to the highest peaks in the state, alongside thundering waterfalls, mystifying geology, and myriad wildlife. welcome to maine act natural. there’s already plenty to see and do in maine with your feet firmly planted on the ground. but what if you could change your vantage point and get above it all? this itinerary will send you into the clouds, atop the state’s highest peaks, and through endless skies on planes, chairlifts, and hot air balloons where you’ll be able to take in maine’s grandeur with nothing but crisp, clean, mountain air in the way. granbury, texas is 70 miles southwest of dallas but a world away from the big d’s big city vibe. founded in 1860, granbury started as a town square with a log cabin courthouse. today, this charming town of around 10,000 is the seat of hood county and home to the first town square in texas to be listed on the national register of historic places. a poster child for restoration projects all over america, granbury boasts a lively arts and dining scene; plenty of green space; and a lake with a sandy beach used for splashing, sunning, and kayaking along the shore. then there’s the lore and legend that the locals swear by, texas tales which may be tall or true. the town’s history is one of its great advantages, and peering through that lens is the best way to truly see granbury. if you’re planning a trip to san antonio, all signs will point you to the riverwalk, the most visited tourist destination in the whole state. and while the area offers countless bars, restaurants, and shops, the city is host to a wide array of cultural gems, waiting in plain sight. whether it’s visiting gorgeous missions, touring sculpture gardens, or immersing yourself in african american history, san antonio contains fascinating excursions that will brighten up any trip. in 1933, president franklin d. roosevelt so enjoyed a ride through virginia’s skyline drive that he wanted to make it go on longer nearly 500 miles longer, to be exact. in the coming months, his administration kicked off a massive roadway project to connect skyline with great smoky mountains national park, and the blue ridge parkway was born. today, the parkway remains one of the most beautiful drives in the country, connecting the great smoky mountains to shenandoah national park. while its scenic overlooks get all the attention, the region’s restaurants offer a more intimate way to experience the landscape: through the very flavors of the berry bushes that line its trails, the trout that swim in its rivers, and the vegetation that gives its green mountains their striking hue. from elk burgers at a native owned diner to a foraged feast at an afro appalachian restaurant, here’s a guide to the most incredible places to taste the flora and fauna of the blue ridge mountains. addison, texas found acclaim in 1975 when residents pushed for alcohol to be served in public areas, when many nearby towns were dry. with an almost immediate surge in visitors, about five years later the town launched an aggressive beautification program. fast forward to present day, and every corner of this small town has a unique theme or landscape, and the city is teeming with public artworks. conveniently, visitors can download the otocast app, which offers guided audio and a full map of all the public artwork found throughout the town. the guided tours come complete with photos, descriptions, and audio of the artists discussing their work. below is a list of places from which to start your journey. located just outside the skyscrapers and congestion of downtown dallas, mesquite has managed to hold onto its roots as an agrarian community while still keeping up with the times. known as the official rodeo capital of texas, the city attracts hundreds of thousands of rodeo fans annually. but the rich town history is also a major draw for visitors wanting to get off the big city track, as exemplified by these six spots. plano, texas may get its name from the flat local terrain plano is the spanish term for "flat" but this dallas suburb is anything but boring. the town makes up part of the dallas fort worth metroplex, so it’s an easy day or overnight trip if you’re visiting the big city. located in the northeast region of the lone star state, plano is a mid sized city with big personality, offering plenty of history and culture, with dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops. it also has an impressive collection of sculptures and public art pieces, which make for an excellent way to see the city. in a city as big and vibrant as dallas, it’s possible to miss a few things like a giant eyeball statue or an enormous, happy robot, for example. this texas city has a wonderfully quirky side; here are the best ways to take in its wide ranging and often surprising arts and culture scene. waxahachie is a small texas town that’s rich with history. over thirty motion pictures have been filmed here, including the revolutionary bonnie and clyde and the oscar winning films tender mercies and places in the heart. it’s also been designated as the crape myrtle capital of texas, a place where you can witness the flower’s glorious blooming especially during the crape myrtle festival and driving trail every july. despite its size (population: 36,735), waxahachie boasts a wide array of historical places to visit. there is more to austin than really, really, really good tacos and barbecue. the city is also home to a smorgasbord of natural wonders, many of which are free to enjoy. so burn off your breakfast tacos or brisket by swimming and strolling among austin’s diverse wildlife and plants. between all the world class kayaking, hiking, and biking available in colorado, you’re bound to find adventure lovers around every corner this summer. but sometimes, what you really want is wide open spaces, quiet vistas, and your footprints as your only company. in short, you want adventure on the secluded side. luckily, in colorado, there’s no shortage of hidden wonder. this itinerary will take you to a pristine mountain top lake, under a triple waterfall, through majestic peaks on a historic railway, and over an iconic mountain pass on the state’s oldest aerial tram. there’s solitude to be found on this trip, but there’s also the thrill of finding some of colorado’s best kept secrets. if you’re headed into the backcountry, follow these tips to stay safe and do colorado right. beneath colorado’s majestic peaks, beside its roaring rivers, and nestled in the curves of its dramatic canyons, remnants of the prehistoric world have quietly waited for eons. only over the past several centuries have people discovered these fossils, unlocking answers to the lives of ancient flora, the behavior of long gone plants and animals, and the ever changing landscape of this geologically dynamic state. pieces of the prehistoric past that you can personally witness in colorado include the continent’s longest dinosaur trackway, the remains of an ancient rainforest, the stumps of petrified redwood trees, and much more. a lot can happen over several hundred million years but here in colorado, none of it’s hiding. atlas obscura has a tradition of exploring the stories of women who changed the world, from wildlife biologists and mountain climbers to civil war spies and tattoo artists. to celebrate these daring women who struck out on their own, we’ve put together a cross country road trip. over 12 stops and more than 3,000 miles, this route will give you a front row seat to women’s history in america. whatever hand the u.s. had in shaping world music, it had its feet planted firmly in the south. from new orleans, where a confluence of west africans laid the groundwork for the musical improvisation we call jazz; to mississippi, where work songs birthed the blues before the blues birthed rock ‘n’ roll; to tennessee, where rock intersected with appalachian folk songs to create country rock, this distinct artistic heritage was forged uphill, from the humblest of origins. nonetheless, the musical legacy of unsung field hands, farmers, and blue collar workers coming up from the south would go on to change the world, and in no quiet way. with bustling food, music, and brewery scenes, asheville has plenty of attractions but stick to the downtown area alone, and you’re missing half the fun, at least. surrounded by national forests, hideaway mountain towns, quirky arts centers, and more, some of asheville's best spots lie beyond the downtown area. this itinerary will help you navigate america’s weirdest little mountain town like a local as you scale mountaintops, watch artisans at work, ride century old trolley cars, and get fake married at a real live punk bar. welcome to asheville. if ghost stories help us confront a harrowing past, it’s no surprise that louisiana is filled to the brim. from the swamplands to the pine forests, the state reverberates with tales of fortunes won and lost, untimely demises, and some of the darkest chapters of early american history. whether you believe in the paranormal or not, the stories below reveal the hidden histories behind this mystifying state place by place, spirit by restless spirit. created in 1926, route 66 was once the primary way drivers headed west, and a network of local economies sprouted up along its path. but after the interstate highway system replaced many portions of the “mother road,” most of its associated attractions faded away. intrepid travelers, however, can still seek out the remnants of this artery through america and even find a few new gems along the way. along with the towering muffler men and the sprawling, changing landscapes that speed past your car windows, the restaurants and bars along route 66 offer an enchanting glimpse into american history and culture. from an illinois watering hole once frequented by al capone to an albuquerque restaurant specializing in pre columbian cuisine to a steakhouse born of tulsa’s once booming lebanese community, these spots showcase the delicious diversity of america’s most iconic road. adventures filled with oversized characters, obstacles, and castles await all you need to join is a putter and a ball. yes, we're talking about miniature golf, the lilliputian game with a big imagination. since 2012, we tom loftus and robin schwartzman have been documenting the world of mini golf on our website a couple of putts. after putting our way through more than 300 courses, we’ve stumbled into becoming experts who design, build, and consult on all things miniature golf. with our keen eye for elements that make courses distinctive and magical destinations, we’ve created this world tour to showcase some of our personal favorites, as well as a few courses on our “must play” list. in keeping with the theme, here are 18 unique courses that span the globe. this wild assortment of putting places offer unique ways to interact with the past and present. putt when ready! you probably know that florida is famous for its shorelines, from the shell stacked beaches of sanibel island to the music soaked swaths of miami. but many of the sunshine state’s coolest attractions rarely see the light of day they’re fully underwater. here are some of the state’s strangest and most spectacular sites, beyond the beach, and below the surface. students of american history will know that delaware is noteworthy for being the first state to ratify the constitution of the united states, earning it the nickname “the first state.” but look beyond delaware’s american roots, and you’ll find other cultural influences, tucked away where only the most enterprising of explorers will find them. from a versailles inspired palace to an english poet casually lounging in a garden, here are six places to help you travel the world without ever leaving the state. east tennessee boasts some of the state’s most beautiful highways and byways. rather than rushing from one destination to the next, this is the perfect road trip to meander and stop along the way. follow this suggested itinerary between knoxville and nashville, and you’ll discover lesser known historical gems, stunning natural landscapes, and some memorable treats, all bookended by two of tennessee’s truly great cities. celebration or desperation aside, these six spots in missouri are proof that imbibing is only half the fun of bar culture. from a mountaintop drive through golf cart bar to the state's oldest waterhole hole nestled more than 50 feet underground in a limestone cellar the “show me state” has no shortage of boozy fun to show you (as long as you're 21+, of course). it wouldn’t be quite accurate to say this route from salt lake city to colorado springs is paved by rogue trailblazers. indeed, much of it remains unpaved, not so much out of disregard as in homage to the rugged landscape that has inspired so many to strike out against the banal, to write their own script. from pioneering artists to obsessive curators and bold builders, this route follows in the footsteps of a bold few watch your step. artistic visionaries and the spirit of rogue ingenuity define this route that starts in denver, winds through the plains of southeastern wyoming, and finishes in alliance, nebraska. it takes you off the beaten path to discover quirky art installations, historic monuments, local flavors, and natural wonders. this route of 11 inspiring spots is certain to spark the autonomous flame for all who take it on. iowa is the pantry of america, giving over the vast majority of its land to agriculture and producing more corn and pork than any other state. but the state has also proven fertile ground for pop culture, as well. the landscape has inspired movies, films, songs, paintings, and novels while spawning movie royalty in the form of a certain duke. bask in the wonderful corniness of these four pop culture touchstones in the hawkeye state. at the heart of every peach rests its stone center, or pit. so perhaps it’s fitting that georgia, the peach state, holds a wealth of stone based treasures of a different sort. in walker county, a labyrinth of limestone passages leads to the deepest cave drop in the continental united states. in calhoun, a rock garden of spectacular sculptures hides behind a church. and in savannah, two gravestones appear on an airport runway. whether carved by hand or nature, these stone wonders truly rock. it turns out that no one really knows how idaho got its name. it's been thought that the name came from shoshone, but in truth it may have just been made up by a somewhat shady politician. regardless of what you call it, the gem state is sparsely populated and unapologetically wild, and full of wonders especially geological ones. the magnolia state is also famous, of course, for being one of the locales ribboned by the squiggly mississippi river, which stretches more than 2,300 miles from minnesota to louisiana. combined with the missouri river, one of its tributaries, the mississippi is the fourth longest river in the world, trailing the nile, amazon, and yangtze. the river is well worth a visit and if you’re roaming the state that shares its name and want to hug fairly close to the shore, here are eight places to pop in along the way. once upon a time, the forests of indiana were endless. or that was how it seemed in the 19th century, when the state produced more lumber than anywhere else in the nation. the valuable trees went first, such as black walnut and white oak. the scrubby leftovers were often burned to create farmland. at the start of european settlement, 90 percent of what is now indiana was forest. that number plummeted to a measly 6 percent by 1922. while the forests have significantly recovered, there are still only about 2,000 acres of old growth forest left in the state. yet trees hold a hallowed place here. one town has graciously allowed a tree to grow on its courthouse roof for more than a hundred years. in many graveyards, markers are fashioned to look like stumps and branches. read on for five woody wonders of indiana, all rooted deeply in their communities. when the grim reaper visits, it doesn't discriminate. the cemeteries of the bluegrass state are home to a cast of characters that includes famous folks, as well as others whose faces you know, but whose names you might not recognize. visitors can pay their respects to a fast food icon, a world famous athlete, comedic actor, and a local magician, as well as a folk hero who may or may not be buried there at all. picture wyoming during its wild west days. once your mind wanders across the epic landscapes and into town, the mythic scene you might imagine the saloon, the general store, the bank will likely consist of wooden structures, ones thrown hastily up as settlers headed west in search of mining wealth, land, and work on the expanding railways. as it became the stuff of legend, accounts of the wild west turned into tall tales, often conveniently overlooking the scale of the violent displacement of native americans. but as the period’s impact on the west is very real, it’s no surprise that the most unusual structures in wyoming are wooden buildings that date from the frontier era or hearken back to it. in new jersey, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. in 1909, newspapers published accounts of a monster known as the “jersey devil” said to be prowling the pine barrens. in 1938, a radio broadcast declared that aliens were invading the small community of grover’s mill. and today, streets and signs suggest ominous origins with names like ghost lake and shades of death road. if you know where to look, the garden state offers stories far stranger than any springsteen song or scene from the sopranos. here are seven sites to explore the hauntings, horrors, and supernatural phenomena of new jersey. nebraska is affectionately known as the cornhusker state or the wheat state, but this particular swath of big sky country could also be called “the land of very cool collections.” from monuments to powdered beverages to love letters to roller skates, here are four exhibits worth a visit. more than half of utah’s population is mormon, which translates to more than 1.5 million citizens who eschew coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes. sugar, however, is not restricted. this may explain why the state’s candy eating rate is twice the national average: everyone needs a vice. or perhaps it’s that mormons’ proclivity for large families skews the demographics in favor of sweets and starches more kids equals more unbridled sugar fiends.couple the state's bounty of confectionary with its proximity to idaho, and you've got a wealth of potato based treats to contend with, as well. in some cases, potatoes and dessert become one. our advice? don't knock it until you try it. massachusetts is a lit lover's paradise. from landscapes that have moved writers to wax poetic about beans to story inspired sculpture parks and shops stacked with volumes new and old, the bay state would also be aptly named the book state. here are 12 places to celebrate writers or the places that inspired them. two 20th century musical figures tower over the state of minnesota: prince rogers nelson and robert allen zimmerman. (that's prince and dylan to us mere mortals.) and while the gopher state definitely celebrates its favorite musical sons, much of the state has a musical bent to it, from a singing beach to a room so devoid of sound is makes a musical madness all its own. in the 1920s, a number of oil reservoirs were discovered in oklahoma, and the promise of riches led to a population boom. would be oil barons moved in from the coasts, bringing with them the most popular style of the moment, art deco. much of that architecture still stands today, alongside institutions that honor the state’s earlier history and its modern culture. though many people know oklahoma better for its oil fields and cattle ranches, the state also has a rich history of innovative art and architecture. from elaborate family estates to experimental art collectives, these are a few of the unique creative spaces that await in oklahoma. when you think about illinois, what are the first things that come to mind? maybe it's the environment, with its vast prairies and cold winters. maybe it's someone from the state, like abraham lincoln, or something, like chicago style hot dogs or deep dish pizza. what you might not realize, though, is that there's a lot of fascinating science happening in illinois. (there was even a settlement named science along the illinois river in the early 19th century.) from some of the world's most powerful computers and particle smashers to horological oddities, these are a few of the laboratories and collections that the 21st state has to offer. what is it with new hampshire and the devil? since the time of european settlement, satan seems to have lurked around every corner of the granite state. in the era of witch hunts, terrified townspeople accused their elderly neighbors of speaking with the devil, and local lore has it that the stones around a frothing waterfall in the woods once served as satan's kitchen, where he cooked a pot of beans with the flames of hell. perhaps the devil got his best turn in “the devil and daniel webster,” a 1936 short story by stephen vincent benét. the story features real life lawyer and politician daniel webster fighting for the soul of a down on his luck new hampshire farmer who, in a moment of desperation, made a deal with the devil. in the tale, the devil uses every legal and supernatural means possible to outwit webster, who battles to spare new hampshire from further demonic meddling. “any hades we want to raise in this state, we can raise ourselves, without assistance from strangers,” webster remarks. but for those who still do want to raise a little hell, new hampshire has plenty of spots for devil dealing. maryland has the distinction of being one of the first states to officially join the union in 1788 and as such, it’s played both big and small roles in various battles across the nation's history. here are eight nods to its military past, ranging from a furnace that produced george washington’s cannonballs to an unusual museum dedicated to the u.s.'s cryptographic history. the state of colorado is a gold mine of natural beauty: it's famous for its picturesque deserts, dramatic canyons, and shimmering, snow capped peaks. but the centennial state also deserves some love for its many unnatural wonders. there's a psychedelic church, a 231 pound sticker ball, and a cryogenic mausoleum. and who can forget the blue horse with neon red eyes that towers outside the denver airport? if you're looking to skip the ski slopes and hiking trails in favor of colorado's strangest sights and most curious creations, this is where to start. for all of the images of hollywood glamour, beach living, and beautiful people, southern california has a lot of peculiarities that don’t get nearly as much attention. this route from los angeles to twentynine palms seeks out the strange and novel, providing a refreshing foil to socal clichés. south carolina is known for its picturesque coastal cities and southern charm. given its firm placement in the bible belt, the palmetto state is home to many churches but it also holds fascinating ruins of houses of worship, wondrous works of art inspired by african traditions, and historic holy grounds hiding in plain sight. vermont may be known for its maple syrup and homey coziness, but beneath that rustic veneer lies a solid history of mineral industry. here's a history of the green mountain state from the ground up. knoxville, tennessee, is a small city that’s made a big impact on the world. founded by george washington’s administration as the capital of the new southwestern territory, it was the 16th state’s capital   twice   for almost 20 years. tucked in the heart of the valley along the tennessee river, knoxville is home to more than 120 parks and more than 160 miles of trails and greenways. it witnessed culmination of the women’s suffrage movement, played host to the 1982 world’s fair and hosts the oldest symphony orchestra in the south. it’s also home to the university of tennessee and its volunteers, the fans of which bleed orange and white, the prominently displayed school colors. need to give your feet a break as you explore the natural beauty, history, and culture of this thriving southern city? hop aboard the free knoxville trolley, the transit system operating since 1876. no matter how you choose to get around, there’s much to discover in knoxville. glitz, glamour, guitars, honky tonks, sequins, and neon are synonymous with music city and its country music roots. while there’s perhaps no other city that embraces big hats, big hair and big personalities quite the way nashville does, there’s much more to tennessee’s capital than meets the eye. its rich history of food, culture, and innovation makes it a haven for creatives of all stripes. though the city shimmers with energy, it’s easy to commune with nature and enjoy the pristine beauty of east tennessee, starting with the cumberland river that runs right through the heart of downtown. whether you’re looking for a brush with history, a chance to enjoy the great outdoors or an opportunity to hear some of music’s biggest stars, nashville has it all. if your boots don’t feel like walking the entire route, old town trolley offers hop on hop off tours around the city, with a stop just outside graduate nashville. lush rainforests filled with ethereal shades of green; foggy beaches that stretch on for miles; towering mountains that dominate city skylines. it’s hard to think of a region with more diverse natural beauty than the pacific northwest. take a journey from seattle to colton through the environments that have inspired artists, musicians, and storytellers for generations. from ancient mountains to reclaimed lands, these places are filled with excitement, intrigue, and maybe even a little off road mystery. climate, globalization, trends, employment rates, lobbying it all influences what we eat. as time marches ever onward, recipes are forgotten, traditions fade into quiet obscurity, and institutions are abandoned. but some entities that seem slated for cultural demolition are kept alive in arkansas. from brewing beer using the spring water of a once infamous bathhouse to serving historic appalachian home cooking hot off of diner skillets, these seven arkansan spots savor and celebrate relics of regional heritage. maybe you love your cat a lot maybe even enough to commission a little painting of your furry companion. but the people of alabama can do you one better. here, you’ll find a whole cemetery devoted to hounds, a heartfelt memorial to a fish, even a statue of a pest that drove farmers batty before it also spurred them toward ingenuity. alabama knows how to fete fido, as well as his scuttling, swimming, and spacefaring compatriots. the rockies may be bigger, but there's something special and sometimes spooky about the appalachians. with dense forest cover, long history, and the shadowy hollows ("hollers," locally), they seem at times to be full of secrets. in west virginia, the mountains and hills hold tales and myths, and a lot of places that were used and then abandoned. if you get excited about the feel of a shiver down your spine, you'll find a lot to love. pick an object. it could be a bottle of mustard. or a life size troll sculpture. or a metal sculpture with big victorian steampunk energy. it doesn't really matter, as long as you collect or create so many of them that your collection becomes a roadside attraction and a cherished local landmark. a remarkable number of wisconsinites have chosen this life path, and the result is a truly remarkable collection of collections scattered across the state. one of the great resources of the mount rushmore state is millions and millions of years old: fossils. the state has long had pride of place in the paleontology world for the dinosaurs and mammoths that have been excavated there. and that history seems to have provided inspiration for the state's menagerie of massive megafauna. here are some of our favorite places that celebrate dinosaurs, huge animal art installations, mammoths, and ... a prairie dog? in the 1700s and 1800s, philadelphia was the center of medical scholarship in the united states. the city not only attracted the brightest minds, but also the most curious cases and characters. from the oldest quarantine facility in the country to a museum that memorializes a traveling dental circus, here are six places to marvel at the trials, errors, and triumphs of medical history in pennsylvania. they say that virginia is for lovers. if you love a little mystery, then they’re definitely right. with its mountain ranges, deep forests, and proximity to the nation’s capital, the state is filled with unusual corners and overlapping histories. from a cold war bunker turned recording archive to a styrofoam stonehenge, these places in virginia are more than meets the eye. every state in the union has graves, and their share of unusual burials or cemeteries, but there's something about the tarheel state's final resting places that carry a sense of history and mystery, from long forgotten graveyards, to eternal resting places for conjoined twins, to a politician that had himself buried inside a giant boulder. the continental divide runs through montana, separating the mountains and glaciers on the west from rolling plains to the east. much of the state is built on a bed of rock that dates back more than a billion years, to the precambrian, or the earliest era in earth’s history. the geology of montana has shaped the state, from the mountain ranges to that draw hikers to glacier and yellowstone national parks to mineral deposits that drew prospectors during the gold rush to the vast plains that have long supported hunting and agriculture. along with the rest of the pacific northwest, oregon has been shaped by volcanic activity. active volcanoes, mount hood among them, dominate the skyline, and the city of portland was built atop an extinct volcano. over tens of thousands of years, these geological hotspots have left many holes in their wakes, including deep craters, narrow canyons, and subterranean lava tubes. here are a few of the most intriguing voids that oregon has to offer. sure, kitty hawk, north carolina, got headlines, but the wright brothers were ohioans through and through. that's where they had their print and cycle shop, and established the world's first airplane factory. from dayton's aviation heritage national historical park, to nasa's glenn research center, to congress officially declaring ohio the “birthplace of aviation,” and much more, no other state takes to the skies and beyond like the home of the buckeyes. here are some of our favorite places to feel the wind beneath your wings. the deep, moody forests of washington state are filled with secrets and stories. from springy mosses to towering douglas firs, rocky outcrops, and glacial deposits, it’s easy to see how the landscape helped set the tone for stories like david lynch’s trippy tv series twin peaks and the teen vampire romance that is twilight. across the evergreen state, human  and nature made oddities are rarely far from reach. yes, we know, hawaiʻi is surrounded by water the state is a watery wonder in and of itself. but the ocean is only the beginning. the volcanic islands' dramatic topography, unpredictable coastlines, and high rainfall mean that water in and around the paradise of the pacific cavorts in all sorts of stunning ways: waterfalls, blowholes, pools, and more. (plus rainbows. lots and lots of rainbows.) and you can enjoy all of these natural showstoppers without having to get your feet wet. for superb pizza, most people look to new york. excellent burgers are available in every one of the 50 states. but where can you find hamburger recipes caught in the early 20th century, cooked in steamers or served on toast with absolutely no ketchup allowed? or, for that matter, fancy cheese made by trailblazing nuns who launched their dairying business at a time when velveeta was still the norm? connecticut may be an odd place to designate as a culinary cradle, but the state contains everything from the last of a generation of feminist vegetarian restaurants to what the library of congress dubs the very first place to have served up a hamburger. unique culinary institutions cropped up in every corner of the state. some have survived, while others have fallen by the wayside (r.i.p. to the frisbie pie company). here are six remarkable gastronomic institutions in a place that has proved to be fertile ground for unusual eats. in the arid and remote expanses of new mexico's landscape, booms and zooms abound. from the volatile effects of the manhattan project to the otherworldly possibilities of roswell's ufo, the land of enchantment has never shied away from the controversial or far reaching. here are several places to encounter those legacies across this southwestern state. the sunflower state has a reputation for being flat in fact, scientists have shown that it is objectively way flatter than a pancake. far from being featureless, though, kansas can be mind bending in its own weird way. maybe it all started with the wizard of oz. from a missile silo that once dominated the world's lsd supply to rock formations shaped like mushrooms, roadside art that will make you think you've been whisked away by a tornado, and a giant pile of sock monkeys, kansas is full of treasures that are sure to make you do a double take. new york has been described as a playground for the rich and powerful, but the state's history is full of ordinary people who have overcome extraordinary struggles. what if seneca falls, the village that launched the fight for women's suffrage, were as famous as niagara falls? what if weeksville, the historic free black community in brooklyn, were as well known as williamsburg? from immigrant sanctuaries to the survivor tree, here are sites where new york has shown its resilience. north dakota is not quite the flattest state in the u.s., but it's pretty close. (in one analysis, it placed third, after illinois and florida.) during the last ice age, glaciers moving across the terrain had a planing effect on the land, dropping sediment that filled in any valleys, creating sprawling prairies and open, big skies. these large expanses are home to more than a few sky high structures, both natural and human made. from rocky peaks and multi ton animal statues to one of the tallest buildings in the world, these are some of the most impressive structures that north dakota has to offer. for about half of any given year, much of arizona is too hot to handle. but even in peak summer, the state is home to a stunning spread of geographic diversity and a mysterious magic that emanates from the landscape and we don’t just mean the mirages. locals and visitors alike flock to higher altitudes, recreation friendly bodies of water, and indoor spaces that are so heavily air conditioned they practically require a jacket. here are eight sheltered spots to retreat from the heat, from natural formations to an immersive art exhibit that invites lingering. we've even added a couple cool places (220 feet underground or a mile above sea level) to dream about spending the night. originally named “venice of america,” venice, california, owes its existence to a wealthy developer’s dream of a canal laden resort town west of los angeles. the dream didn’t last long: after opening in 1905, the city went broke before joining los angeles in 1926. the decades of neglect that followed earned venice the nickname “the slum by the sea,” but its affordability also attracted artists, beginning with the beats in the late ’50s. venice’s identity as a rough around the edges artist haven endures more than 60 years later, though its affordability less so. if you’re looking to plot a trek across los angeles pavement and beaches, zero in on venice with a run that oscillates between fast and furious and slow and curious. take on this 5.2 mile run in one go, break it up into multiple runs, or do it in reverse. with the right running shoes, you’ll be ready to navigate venice’s storied past and its eternally eccentric personality. a run through new york city demands a delicate balance: zoning out versus keeping your eyes peeled. on the one hand, there’s the clear headed, in the zone mental state that any good sneaker to pavement exercise requires. at the same time, well, it is new york city. you can hardly walk two blocks without uncovering a hidden gem or noticing some new detail that’s actually been lurking in plain sight for decades. this 5.3 mile run takes you along a scenic route to discover some of these hidden gems. you can run the entire route, break it up into multiple runs, or do it in reverse. with the right running shoes, you’re bound to pick up on one of the million tiny, fascinating details along the way. long before california was home to tech campuses, freeways, and palm trees, native inhabitants etched huge designs into the landscape. even before that, at roughly the same time that the pyramids of giza were under construction, a tree that still survives today began taking root. and even farther into the past, glaciers and mammoths created enduring monuments to antiquity. across the state, the distant past is still within easy reach. there’s a time tested saying about things being large in texas and it certainly holds true for the state’s artworks, many of which are so huge or sprawling they could only reasonably live outdoors. across the vast expanse of the lone star state are artistic testaments to some of the area’s oddest characters and stories. the smallest state in america is often the butt of jokes. rhode island is neither a road nor an island, and it was once famously parodied in the now defunct website “how many rhode islands” a simple tool that allowed you to see just how many rhode islands could squeeze inside a given country. the united states could contain 3,066 rhode islands, and russia could hold 5,445. but the tiny state has a rather grand history. rhode island was founded on the principle of religious freedom, was the first of the thirteen colonies to renounce its allegiance to the british crown, and was one of only two states not to ratify the 18th amendment, which prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol. many of the state’s attractions still loom large, including a 58 foot long blue fiberglass termite and an improbably large blue bear slumped under a lampshade. famous for country music and hot chicken, tennessee is also filled with natural wonders. across the state, caverns beckon. venturing into some of tennessee's strangest subterranean haunts is a great way to experience the depths of the state's spell binding charm. louisiana has long had a complex relationship with the wet world. chitimacha, choctaw, and atakapa peoples built communities among the knobby knees of bald cypress trees; french fur traders and pirates eventually made their own marks. later still, modern engineers attempted to corral waters with levees and dams, or to reclaim land where there had been none. across the 50,000 odd square miles that make up the state, troves of special places are becoming concealed by rising water. here are seven places water has revealed or covered up. michigan is famous for its steep, sweeping sand dunes, freckling of lakes, and unique fossils but across the state, you'll find slews of automated wonders, past and present. from old animatronic toys to the ruins of early assembly lines, here are seven places to be dazzled by industry. here at atlas obscura, we have a fondness for the forbidden, a hunger for the hidden, a gusto for the grim. (you get the point.) but it wouldn’t be so intrepid to simply highlight nevada’s underbelly, would it? there’s more to the state than extraterrestrial themed brothels and nuclear bomb test sites. kids and grandparents might enjoy enormous ferris wheels, unusual geysers, or pristine parklands. even nevada home to sin city has a family friendly side. maine is widely known for its mottled red crustaceans and stony faced lighthouses, as well as bucolic towns and the top notch hiking outside of them. but before all that, maine was all about one thing: trains. as america industrialized in the 19th century, there was an insatiable demand to build and a hunger for lumber. maine had plenty of it, and the state’s rivers became swollen with the fallen bodies of pine and spruce, much of which was hauled by rail. trains did the heavy lifting to coastal hubs including bangor and ellsworth, and by 1924, there was enough railroad mileage in maine to get from london’s king's cross station to mosul, iraq. over the years, some of the old cars were fashioned into eateries, but many were simply abandoned in the woods. now, relics of maine’s railroad history are scattered in museums, restaurants, and more. picture alaska. you might see in your mind's eye the granite and stark white snowcaps of denali national park, or the dark seas that surround 6,000 plus miles of coastline, or the muted olive of its tundra in the summer. but as anyone who's been there knows, the country's largest, most sparsely populated state can absolutely burst with color, from the luminous green of the northern lights, to the deep aqua of its glaciers, to the flourish of wildflowers fed by its long summer days. here are some places to see the full spectrum of the last frontier. the district of columbia is home to a number of places that you need to flash the right id to access. from restricted rooftops to government storage facilities and underground tunnels, the city is filled with places that are off limits to the average visitor. what’s more, many of them are hidden within popular tourist destinations and densely populated neighborhoods so you might catch a glimpse of them, but never get any closer. these are a few of our favorite restricted spots in d.c., and the stories behind them. if you thought pensacola, florida with its powder white sand beaches, near perfect weather, and fresh seafood was just a place to soak up the sun, think again. in fact, the city and beach of the same name is the site of the first european settlement in the continental united states. established by spanish explorer tristán de luna in 1559, it was christened panzacola, a name of native american origin and the precursor to the city’s modern name. the destination is also the birthplace of u.s. naval aviation and is still home to a naval air station and the thousands of service members stationed there, as well as the blue angels, the flight squadron famous for their death defying fighter plane stunts. this delightful coastal city is an ideal, if somewhat quirky, blend of historical sites (on land and underwater) and activities to get your adrenaline flowing. a deep blanket of snow often covers new england in the winter. but there’s adventure to be found in the frozen landscape, with its steep mountains and frozen ponds and not just for skiers and snowboarders. this route blazes a unique path through massachusetts and new hampshire that is filled with bright colors, bold flavors, and the legacies of pioneering thinkers. the people of tucson have been eating off the land for 4,100 years. from grains to livestock to produce introduced by missionaries in the 1600s, this unesco city of gastronomy is home to some of the oldest farmland in north america. what once was old is new again in the old pueblo where ancient flavors are found in nearly every dish   trendy to traditional. any travel enthusiast would be hard pressed to open any social media channel and not see photos of iceland, with its jaw dropping peaks, natural hot springs, pure glaciers, northern lights and snow covered landscapes. but the island nation’s appeal goes well beyond the well worn paths of reykjavik, the golden circle and the southern region's countryside. travel to the untamed north along the arctic coast way to discover otherworldly beauty sans crowds around every bend. crowds clog edinburgh's royal mile, the main artery between edinburgh castle and holyrood palace. the road is dotted with stores selling nessie trinkets and lined with bagpipers and street performers pulling off dazzling tricks. but look beyond the tartan tourist traps, and you’ll discover tucked away gardens, remnants of the city’s medieval past, and much more. in 1967, 100,000 artists, activists, and hippies gathered in san francisco’s haight ashbury neighborhood for the summer of love. janis joplin and jimi hendrix played free concerts for fields of college dropouts, and san francisco established itself as a countercultural capital. more than 50 years later, in a city increasingly known for twitter and tech rather than art and activism, travelers who come on a pilgrimage are often disappointed to find expensive, skin deep psychedelia. but if you know where to look, you’ll find a walk down haight street to be wonderfully weird, full of historic links to hippiedom and modern takes on the vibe. it may be famous for mardi gras, but new orleans has subtle, surprising wonders on tap all year long even in the touristy french quarter. around every cobblestoned corner, you’ll find historic ephemera, bits of creole culture, environmentalism, and no shortage of spooky stories, whenever you happen to visit. from the street, the metropolitan museum of art is hard to miss: the institution’s two million square foot main building, at 1000 fifth avenue, spans four new york city blocks and stretches into central park. inside the galleries, you’ll find thousands of objects spanning 5,000 years of world history. with so many treasures under one roof, it's inevitable that some fascinating pieces are tucked into the museum's lonelier nooks and crannies, hiding in plain sight. the next time you spend a day at the museum, keep an eye out for these overlooked wonders. detroit and nashville are synonymous with two all american music genres. it’s no surprise that visitors flock to these cities each year to get a feel for the places where artists such as marvin gaye, diana ross & the supremes, johnny cash, and dolly parton began their careers. a (relatively) straight, north to south route connects the two cities, as does musical heritage. load up the rv, make sure your speaker system is in tip top shape, and create a playlist filled with old school motown and country hits. if you're not driving on the trip down south, you should be dancing. the terrain along the gulf of mexico is sometimes called the “third coast,” but for an offbeat road trip, it’s second to none. starting in houston and ending in pensacola bay, this journey takes you through some of america’s most diverse landscapes. you’ll cross cajun swamps, drive along sparkling white sand beaches, and even spend some time in the big easy. take an rv and camp along the way to truly immerse yourself in this wondrous region. the world’s largest gulf, it turns out, holds some of america’s best kept secrets. the coachella valley and its environs boom in the spring, when tens of thousands of music lovers flock to catch their favorite artists perform in front of a dramatic, mountainous backdrop. but this region stays wonderfully weird all year long. if the festival drew you to the area and you only have a day to explore, choose a direction: either head north, toward joshua tree and landers, or southeast to the salton sea and nearby oases for a blissful respite. if you can spare a couple of days, lucky you go forth and see it all. los angeles’ highland park is a diverse, eclectic neighborhood that native americans and latinx communities have inhabited for centuries. celebrated for its history, art scene, ethnic diversity, and cuisine, highland park is filled with surprising delights that more and more people are discovering every day. exploring the neighborhood's nooks and crannies is one of the most rewarding ways to spend a day in l.a. once referred to as “the coney island of the pacific,” l.a.’s beachfront neighborhood of venice has long been a popular tourist destination. its colorful characters, quirky architecture, and carnivalesque atmosphere are well known the world over. but take a moment to look past the kitsch, and you’ll discover a place where artistic ingenuity thrives more than a century after abbot kinney endeavored to bring a grandiose version of venice to america. the bohemian beehive has always attracted artists and performers, and everyone is welcome to enjoy the show. the 1970s brought a wave of artists into this former industrial area in downtown los angeles. they sparked a fuse of creative imagination that burned for years. up and coming creators took advantage of the then low rents and built a foundation for the creative mecca that exists here today. in its infancy, l.a.’s downtown arts district came to life behind the scenes, with artists mostly working in closed studios. today, the art has spilled onto the streets in the form of colorful murals, attractive gallery spaces, and stylish storefronts. but the curious explorer can still find literal and figurative traces of the ‘70s. in addition to the more historic spots that remain, a creative, entrepreneurial spirit abounds. wedged between charing cross and leicester square, trafalgar square is known for the throngs of people flocking to its famous attractions. weave around the tourists on the national gallery stairs and dodge the crowds clogging the street corners. instead, duck down dreamy alleys and pop into unique, overlooked museums and shops. there, a secret side of this busy area waits to reveal itself. few cities on earth are as well trodden as new york but as any intrepid traveler knows, the more you explore a place, the more wonders you find. you may not be able to discover all of these spots in a single trip, but that could be a good thing. no matter how many times you return, the city that never sleeps never ceases to surprise. visit nycgo to uncover more of the city’s secret spots. anchored by the zócalo plaza and the architectural splendor of the palacio de bellas artes, mexico city's historic center rightfully draws scores of visitors from around the world. if you look, smell, and taste carefully, you’ll also find a universe of culinary offerings that tells stories of immigration, adaptation, and imagination. with the help of culinary backstreets, we assembled a primer on eating and drinking your way through the district. hollywood boulevard is world famous for the oscars and the walk of fame, for schlocky souvenir shops and crowded tour buses. but beyond the terrazzo stars and the occasional celebrity sighting, there’s plenty left to discover. here’s how to make hollywood’s acquaintance, whether you’re a visitor or a local who keeps a practiced distance from these busy, saturated blocks. look closer and you'll find a neighborhood full of nature, history, and wonder. there's the times square you know, full of blazing billboards, selfie sticks, and costumed characters. then there's the less familiar one, beyond the lights the nooks and crannies that most visitors to midtown manhattan overlook. they're not obvious, but surprises can still be found along this world famous stretch of real estate. follow along on our 2,200 mile adventure with npr's 'all things considered.' forge your own path in this tourist magnet, toward places that are less crowded but no less wondrous. find faded grandeur and vibrant street life in argentina's largest city. just when you thought you knew the windy city, it finds new ways to surprise you. find secret vistas, labyrinthine bookstores, and eclectic public art. in the homeland of explorers, your best bet is to keep looking. go beyond the beaches in the continental united states’ only truly tropical city. new york city's most diverse borough is also its most rewarding. southern california's second city holds plenty of sparkling secrets. find surprises around every corner in a u.s. city that embraces history like no other.

the tour guy emilie murphy last updated: february 2, 2023 while new york city is a single entity, it comprises five boroughs that each hold their own distinct character. every area of nyc is a world within a world, and the 5 boroughs represent different aspects of the city’s culture and are home to their own local essence. from the bronx to brooklyn, staten island to queens, and that famed island of manhattan, here is a guide to new york city’s five boroughs. pro tip: planning your trip to nyc? bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. see our guide to new york city for more planning resources, our best nyc tours for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in new york city. even if you’ve never been to new york city, you’ve probably heard of the five boroughs: manhattan, brooklyn, the bronx, queens, and staten island. each borough is about as diverse as the people who live in nyc, and only a few of them are considered popular tourist destinations. technically, a borough is like a mini city that has its own government, even though it’s still part of a larger city. so the five boroughs here are under the umbrella government of nyc, but they also have some autonomy as well. this article will give you an overview of the vibe of each borough as well as key attraction information. from here, you can branch out to tons of articles on things to do and places to stay in new york. consider bookmarking it and checking out our list of top things to do in new york. our partnership with booking.com. if you like our content, please book by clicking on our booking.com links. the price is the same for you, and we get a small commission that helps support our blog. we’ve partnered with booking.com because they have the most options, great prices, and a solid loyalty program. just about every hotel is on booking so our recommendations are not incentivized. when people hear the words “new york city,” they usually think of the manhattan borough and there’s a reason for that. manhattan is home to broadway, dozens of museums, the empire state building, central park, and so many other iconic new york landmarks. it’s also the financial epicenter for the city (and basically the country, too), and one of the most expensive real estate areas in the world, according to investopedia. this area is also one of the most densely populated areas. but there are many cultural and historical areas to visit here as well. read on for some of the top things to do and see. the metropolitan museum of art is the cornerstone of new york city’s cultural landscape. with over 2 million objects spanning 5,000 years of history, it’s no wonder the met attracts over 1 million visitors each year. whether you’re interested in ancient egypt, arms and armor, fashion, or modern painting, the met will exceed your expectations. if you want to maximize your experience, check out a guided tour here. looking for more museum experiences? see our guide to the best museums in the city. address: the met live performances and broadway are synonymous with manhattan. so many legends of musical theater made their names on the stages of broadway theaters. currently, there are 41 official broadway theaters, though only a few are actually on broadway. the rest are scattered throughout the west side of the island in a neighborhood called the theater district. most shows run eight times a week during the evenings, with matinees on wednesdays and saturdays. the shows come and go, some are revived and some stay for years, even decades. all the currently playing shows can be found here, so use that page to plan your trip. address: broadway for many americans, the fateful day of september 11th is a day forever etched in their memories. to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on the day of the world trade center attacks in 2001 (and the bombing of 1993), much of the original site of the twin towers was transformed into a memorial. here you’ll find the iconic memorial pools, the names of the victims etched in stone, the memorial glade, the survivor tree, and the fdny memorial wall. nearby is the new one world trade center with the observation deck that is a popular attraction to see the city skyline. and the national september 11th memorial museum is also close to the memorial. it’s a touching museum filled with personal histories and artifacts from the destruction. a trip to the 9/11 memorials and museum is a must for anyone who remembers that fateful day, not to mention the rising generation who were born after that day in 2001. address: 9/11 memorial and museum running the length of 59th to 110th streets, central park is an iconic 843 acre greenspace in the heart of manhattan. the park is at the core of city life, and it holds 26 baseball fields, 29 sculptures, a zoo, a 19th century castle, and 58 miles of pathways. it is an unbeatable place to walk, picnic, bike, run or participate in many of the daily activities that take place throughout the park. a trip to nyc wouldn’t be complete without seeing this amazing greenspace in the heart of the city that never sleeps. use our central park walking guide to plan what to see here. address: central park the upper west side’s lincoln center is the premier venue for the performing arts in the city and one of the greatest in the world. it is home to over ten famed organizations including the metropolitan opera, new york city ballet, the new york philharmonic and the juilliard school. the campus also includes top notch restaurants, a branch of the new york public library, gorgeous architectural details and plenty of other elements that tourists of all stripes will want to marvel at. address: lincoln center plaza in the heart of the financial district of manhattan, you’ll find the iconic wall street and the new york stock exchange. granted, there isn’t a lot to visit specifically in this area, but it’s worth noting since it’s a key location for many new yorkers. you might be surprised to learn that the new york stock exchange isn’t actually located on wall street. it’s on broad street, just half a block from wall street. what’s made this area famous is the charging bull statue staring down the little girl who stands with courage. you’ll find this a few blocks away at the bowling green park, the oldest park in new york city. from there, you’re also not far from battery park which has one of the best viewpoints for the statue of liberty. address: nyse and charging bull times square is an iconic area for tourists, partly for its celebrity status as the best and first place to ring in the new year in the us. but new year’s celebrations aside, times square is filled with happening places to eat and theatres to enjoy since broadway is just minutes away even on foot. this is the area where you can walk along the streets below the iconic, massive video screens advertising shows, products, movies, and events. it’s also a highly used filming location in many notable films from king kong to ghostbusters to breakfast at tiffany’s. and of course we can’t forget it was used as the location for friends, sex and the city, seinfeld, and how i met your mother though most of the filming occurred in california for those shows. but for tv and movie buffs, this is a must see location to find places from their favorite shows. address: manhattan, ny the statue of liberty might be the most famous attraction in new york city. it’s long been a favorite place for tourists to visit, though it takes some planning to do so since it’s on an island in the middle of the upper bay. the statue was a gift from france and designed by french sculptor frédéric auguste bartholdi to solidify relations between nations and to celebrate the accomplishments of abraham lincoln. there is now a museum located on liberty island, which makes the trip even more memorable. and any ticket for the statue of liberty should include a stop at ellis island, which is the original immigration processing center of the early 20th century. there are original artifacts and areas to explore to learn about the process and the people who passed through those halls. $$$$ | french | old school la grenouille, not far from the rockefeller center or central park, feels like old new york. from the vases overflowing with fresh flowers to the plush red booths, this long standing restaurant still maintains an old time glamor. while it’s hard to go wrong with any menu choice, the dover sole and a soufflé make for an unbeatable dining experience. if you stay late on a weekend evening, you just might be treated to some impromptu jazz. address: 3 east 52nd street, new york, ny $ | dim sum | cash or american express only you can’t talk about classic new york city restaurants without mentioning nom wah tea parlor. a chinatown staple since the 1920s, nom wah serves up affordable and delicious dim sum from their no frills storefront on doyers street. while there is usually a line to get into this nyc favorite, the queue moves quickly and is well worth the wait. be sure to pair your dumplings with a pot of the signature black tea. address: 13 doyers street, new york, ny for other recommendations, see our list of restaurants in midtown, soho, and new york city. $$$$ | 5 star | indoor pool | quiet drawing room & courtyard if you are looking to stay downtown, indulge in the greenwich hotel. from the ivy covered walls of its patio to the luxurious spa, this is a hotel that encourages rest and relaxation. you might even choose to do so in their inviting drawing room or the quiet, lush courtyard. this tribeca hotel also offers a highly rated spa and a cozy on site restaurant that serves italian cuisine. location, photos, and booking $$$$$ | 5 star | indoor lap pool | amazing location whether you’re in paris, london, or shanghai, the mandarin oriental is the height of luxury. in new york city, the hotel is located in the heart of things at columbus circle, and its 75 foot lap pool offers million dollar views of the city skyline. you’ll enjoy any experience here whether you’re hitting the gym, the spa, or the in house restaurant mo lounge. location, photos, and booking $$ | 4 star | sleek and trendy | boozy arcade located within the financial district and chinatown neighborhood, this hotel is close to all the local attractions including the 9/11 memorial. but it’s also a cool space with lots to do like the arcade bar called recreation. the rooms are modern and sleek with leather headboards, 10 foot floor to ceiling window, and a swing chair that’s fun to hang in (literally). location, photos, and booking brooklyn is like manhattan’s young, hip sibling. it may be an outer borough, but it boasts its own killer food culture, vibrant art scene and plenty of local charm. williamsburg and dumbo are where you’ll likely spend some time, but we also recommend the beaches for a day away from it all. great for a day trip or a longer stay, brooklyn is worth a visit no matter what you’re looking for. located next door to the brooklyn botanic garden and prospect park, the brooklyn museum is the cultural center of the borough. the encyclopedic collection is home to 500,000 objects, including a 5,000 square foot visible storage study center. you really can spend the day here. enjoy a meal at the on site restaurant or grab something quick at the casual café in between gallery visits. the museum actually made our top spot for activities in brooklyn. address: 200 eastern pkwy, brooklyn, ny founded in 1910, the brooklyn botanic garden is a 52 acre oasis that houses over 14,000 species of plants. each year, the garden welcomes visitors year round and hosts an array of events and special exhibits. permanent garden features include a japanese hill and pond garden, a bonsai museum, rose garden, cherry esplanade and water garden, among many others. no matter the weather, it’s a wonderful place to walk around, commune with nature, and escape the concrete jungle. address: 990 washington avenue, brooklyn, ny brooklyn heights is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in brooklyn. its quiet, residential streets and picturesque brownstones are an ideal place to walk and take in the historic setting. at the far west side of the heights is the promenade, a pedestrian walkway that floats over the bqe and offers unbeatable views of downtown manhattan, governor’s island, the statue of liberty, the brooklyn bridge and more. the promenade stretches from remsen to orange street, with other entrances at clark, montague and pineapple. address: brooklyn, ny coney island is the permanent fairground of new york city. daredevils can have a day of fun at luna park, which is the home of the iconic cyclone and thunderbolt roller coasters, while less intrepid travelers can enjoy a host of games and side shows all along surf avenue. those looking to relax while the kids play can spend the day lounging on one of the city’s best beaches. for food, you’ll find famous and long standing restaurants like nathan’s or paul’s daughter that serve up no frills hot dogs, chicken tenders, and fries along the beachfront boardwalk. other activities abound here, including the coney island brewery tasting room and a trip to mcu park, home of the minor league baseball team: the coney island cyclones. no matter what activity you choose to partake in, the best part of coney island is simply the experience of being here. address: coney island, brooklyn, ny $$$$ | michelin starred | jackets required the river cafe is one of the only restaurants in new york city that still has a dress code. even mark zuckerberg couldn’t get away with a hoodie and jeans at this michelin starred brooklyn institution. while the food is always delicious and the wine menu is top notch, it’s the atmosphere that makes it truly special. with a dining room that seems to float atop the east river and an unbeatable view of the brooklyn bridge, this is one of those restaurants you’ll never want to leave. address: 1 water street, brooklyn, ny $$$$ | steak | cash only the steak is so good at peter luger that the service can be bad (or, at least, a bit neglectful), which is somehow also part of this place’s charm. be sure to stop here if you’re in the hip williamsburg section of brooklyn. housed in an old beer house and boasting a vibe that hasn’t changed in a century, peter luger is part restaurant, part time travel experience that will satisfy any meat lover. address: 178 broadway, brooklyn, ny discover more of our favorite restaurants in brooklyn heights and williamsburg. $$$$ | 5 star | rooftop pool | stunning views | amazing location located in the hip and happening neighborhood of dumbo, the 1 hotel brooklyn bridge is an experience for the instagram era. prepare for moss covered decor, floor to ceiling windows, and a crowd that knows how to dress. the best part about this place, however, is the bustling rooftop. up here you will find breathtaking views of the manhattan and brooklyn bridges, a buzzing bar scene, and a huge pool. location, photos, and booking $$$+ | 5 star | rooftop pool | boutique hotel | hip scene the william vale is popular with both travelers and locals alike and has one of the busiest rooftops in the borough. the vibe is hip and fashion forward, and the hotel is great for a great meal, pool party, or an overnight stay. enjoy a sit down italian restaurant called leuca or mister dips, which is a seasonal airstream that serves burgers and cones. guests can also grab a quick bite at westlight or drinks by the pool. location, photos, and booking $$+ | 4 star | rooftop pool | amazing location | very trendy | local favorite located right on mccarren park, a central site of williamsburg, the mccarren hotel and pool is an incredibly trendy retreat. the rooms are some of the nicest in brooklyn, and the bathrooms are spectacular. amenities include rooftop dining options and a happening poolside bar for party minded travelers. location, photos, and booking discover more brooklyn hotels here. one of the most diverse places in the world, queens is a place for authentic urban culture. while it’s not as big of a tourist draw as some of the other boroughs, it’s home to major landmarks like citi field and the usta billie jean king national tennis center. you’ll also find a rich smattering of authentic cuisines here scattered next to fascinating sculpture parks, botanical gardens, and several popular beaches. if you’re a movie buff, you’ll recognize the unisphere at flushing meadows corona park where the world’s fair was held in 1964. and if you’re flying to new york city, you’ll land in queens at either la guardia or john f. kennedy international airport. located in the flushing neighborhood of queens, the usta billie jean king national tennis center is most famous for being the home of the us open. every year from august to september, the center is flooded with tennis fans looking to cheer on their favorite players. but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other happenings on the calendar the other 10 months of the year. smaller tournaments happen regularly, and the courts are also open to anyone and can be booked for a fee. for a look back at history, it’s also worth taking a walk by the former home of the us open at the west side tennis club in forest hills. address: flushing meadow corona park, queens, ny the noguchi museum is one of the cultural jewels of queens and also one of the only museums in the country established by a living artist. multi media artist isamu noguchi first opened the institution in 1985, and it is home to the largest collection of his works in the world. comprised of sculptures, drawings, models, photographs, and designs, the collection shows the depth and breadth of his oeuvre. the museum’s industrial setting (it is located in a former photo engraving plant) is an unexpected and delightful contrast to noguchi’s abstract and ethereal aesthetic. the twelve galleries and adjacent garden were intended to be a pocket of serenity amidst the chaos of the city, and visitors will enjoy an uncrowded, relaxed atmosphere. address: 9 01 33rd road, queens, ny flushing meadows corona park is basically the central park of queens. there are a myriad of activities and things to see here: cycling paths, tennis courts, paddleboat rentals, soccer fields, wi fi hotspots, ice skating rinks in the winter, and so much more. it’s where locals go to enjoy activities and greenspace that’s a coveted luxury in the busy cities here. the other notable thing about this park is that is held the world’s fair expos in both 1939 and 1964. address: between grand central pkwy and van wyck expressway the rockaways are like a slice of santa monica in queens. surf culture is huge here, and the beaches are free, wide and sprawling. especially in summer, the rockaways are an amazing place to visit for a day or extended stay. famous for beachfront bars and restaurants and a laidback, endless summer vibe, this incongruous area of queens will steal your heart. address: queens, ny $ | outdoor and indoor dining | central location | great cocktails rockaway beach surf club is the epicenter of rockaway cool. with outdoor and indoor space and a beachy, surfer vibe, this restaurant is popular for big parties and casual lunch stops. their menu is no frills, leaning heavily on staples like quesadillas and tacos, but the food is delicious. the drinks are the real draw, however, especially their signature bourbon bloody mary. located in the heart of the rockaway beach scene, this is a great spot to spend a summer afternoon, or even a sunny winter day. address: 302 beach 87th street, queens, ny $$ | mexican | traditional dishes | indoor and outdoor seating some say you can’t get good mexican food in new york unless you go to queens. whether or not that’s true, casa enrique, located in the long island city neighborhood of the borough, makes a strong case. the restaurant, which is near popular cultural organizations like moma ps1 and the sculpture center, serves up delicious traditional dishes from the region of cintalapa. if you’re looking for a casual and reasonably priced place with the highest quality food, casa enrique is the perfect fit. address: 5 48 49th avenue, long island city, ny as the city’s northernmost borough, the bronx embodies new york’s distinct culture. it is all at once a place of sprawling greenspaces, gritty concrete tracts, the yankees, and the city’s real little italy. food, history, parks and more make this borough a great place to visit. it’s located just north of manhattan, so you don’t have far to go. this 250 acre garden in the middle of the bronx is not only a national historic landmark and the largest of any city in the united states, it is a refuge for so many new yorkers. while it draws crowds for blockbuster annual events like the holiday train show and orchid show, the garden is also a community hub and crucial ecological site. visitors can enjoy the famed rock garden, collections of over 1 million plants, a 275 year old red oak tree, and so many other examples of natural beauty. address: 2900 southern blvd, bronx, ny sometimes referred to as “the cathedral of baseball,” yankee stadium is one of the biggest baseball venues in the world. while its current location is not the original site, yankee stadium is a cornerstone of the bronx and a sports haven. and the experience isn’t just the baseball games themselves. the area around the stadium is full of colorful bars, restaurants, and stores that add to the revelry of any game. an experience unlike any other, the bronx bombers wouldn’t be themselves in any other neighborhood. address: 1 e 161st street, bronx, ny arthur avenue considers itself and is widely considered the real little italy of the five boroughs. the area in the belmont section of the bronx is a center of italian american dining and culture. famed restaurants like dominick’s and mario’s have been around for decades, as have markets like joe’s italian deli. its even rumored joe pesci was discovered by robert deniro while waiting tables at one of these eateries. beyond the mainstays, the area also hosts special festivals and celebrations throughout the year. address: bronx, ny $ | great location | southern comfort food | great music owned by ghana native sam amoah, sam’s specializes in southern comfort food like jerk chicken, mac and cheese, and smothered pork chops. beyond the delicious, crowd pleasing menu, the restaurant also knows how to have a good time. evenings feature dj performances and karaoke sing alongs. just a short walk from yankee stadium, sam’s is a great place to dine before or after a game at the baseball haven. address: 598 grand concourse, bronx, ny $$ | italian | old school vibe | traditional menu a cornerstone of arthur avenue’s little italy, dominick’s is one of the more popular eateries in the neighborhood. it’s no frills approach to dining has served it well over its decades in business, and you can expect classic italian dishes and no written menu, but a waitstaff that will be happy to make some recommendations. with its consistency and throwback atmosphere, it’s no wonder this place is favored by locals and tourists alike. address: 2335 arthur avenue, bronx, ny staten island is hardly a tourist destination compared to other nyc boroughs, and it is primarily a residential suburban area of the city. it’s less a place to spend the night, and more ideal for a day trip. though not hugely popular for tourists to visit, there are still several attractions that make a visit worth the trip if you’re looking for something new to see in nyc. so grab a seat on one of the iconic orange ferries and get to know “the borough of parks.” a former home for retired sailors, the 83 acre park on the north side of staten island includes 28 historical buildings, 14 botanical gardens and 10 acres of wetland. several museums are also located within grounds of this smithsonian affiliated park such as the newhouse center for contemporary art and the staten island children’s museum. address: 1000 richmond terrace, staten island, ny located under the iconic verrazzano narrows bridge, which connects the island to the borough of brooklyn, fort wadsworth is a former military base that has been closed since 1994. beyond the picturesque view of the upper and lower bays, the well maintained park is also a good spot to see historic structures and learn about military related history. an on site visitors center and tours from park rangers are available. address: staten island, ny historic richmond town is new york’s miniature colonial williamsburg. the 100 acre site is dedicated to preserving the history of early america, and showing what life was like more than 300 years ago. as a living museum, entering historic richmond town feels exactly like stepping back in time, and it has preserved various elements of colonial life such as craft demonstrations carried out by costumed interpreters, tavern concerts and country fairs. the area, right in the center of the island, is a great place to fully immerse yourself in history. address: 441 clarke ave, staten island, ny $ | italian baked goods and sandwiches | limited seating staten island’s food scene is largely defined by two things: italian cuisine and world class subs. foodies can find these at their best at royal crown bakery. close to the verrazzano bridge, this eatery serves classic italian pastries as well as melt in your mouth subs on fresh baked bread. seating is limited, so royal crown is usually a grab and go place, but outdoor tables are often set up during warmer months. address: 1350 hylan boulevard, staten island, ny $$ | sri lankan | restaurant and market staten island is more diverse than its reputation may make people believe. it has a large sri lankan population, and one of the best restaurants to give this traditional cuisine a try is sagara. delicious fish cakes, dhal, and fluffy rice await anyone willing to make the trip out to the center of the island. whether you’re familiar with staten island’s restaurant scene or not, this michelin recommended restaurant is worth a visit. address: 98 victory boulevard, staten island, ny new york city is the center of the universe to those who adore this iconic city. choose the best neighborhood to stay in as you plan your upcoming trip to the big apple. your email address will not be published. required fields are marked * comment * name * email * δdocument.getelementbyid( "ak_js_1" ).setattribute( "value", ( new date() ).gettime() ); copyright © 2025 the tour guy. all rights reserved.

are you ready for the ultimate multimodal pizza adventure? join us on saturday, april 5, 2025, for the return of the legendary 5 boro pizza challenge! embark on a journey to visit all five boroughs in a single day, tasting some of the finest slices that our city has to offer. choose your mode or mix and match   train, bus, bike, run, scoot, and ferry! there’s just one rule   no cars! whether you're a local or a visitor, this challenge combines nyc’s iconic pizza culture with a thrilling exploration of the city. rally your team, map your route, and get ready for a day of fun, flavor, and fierce competition! #slicesforsafestreets general admission $50*includes an exclusive 5 boro pizza challenge t shirt, finisher medal, pizza passport, complimentary drink at the after party and more! general admission + ta membership $65* includes an exclusive 5 boro pizza challenge t shirt, finisher medal, pizza passport, complimentary drink at the after party, plus an annual ta membership! youth admission $30* for participants 14 and under includes an exclusive 5 boro pizza challenge t shirt, finisher medal, pizza passport, complimentary drink at the after party after party only $25* for access to the after party only *register now for the best price! prices will increase as the challenge approaches! 5 boro pizza challenge t shirt 5 boro pizza challenge medal the official pizza passport welcome to the ultimate pizza showdown, where 300 pizza lovers take to the streets in a deliciously energetic race across all five boroughs using public transportation! it’s like a food fueled obstacle course, complete with strategy, speed, and a whole lot of cheese. the adventure kicks off in the bustling heart of manhattan, and after a day of pizza packing glory, we throw an after party in brooklyn to celebrate your saucy achievements. and guess what? you’ll be showered with prizes and perks from ta and our fabulous sponsors. get ready to slice and dice your way to pizza fame! #slicesforsafestreets your ticket isn't just a golden pass to pizza paradise; it’s a treasure chest of goodies! you’ll snag one free slice of pizza on us, the fabulous official nyc pizza challenge t shirt that will make your friends hungry with envy, an official passport to stamp your pizza journey, and a complimentary drink at the finish festival. plus, an extra cheesy finisher medal to evoke those delicious pizza memories. oh, and did we mention the epic giveaways from our amazing sponsors? you can also add on a ta annual membership or grab an after party only ticket for your cheering squad! don’t worry, we’ll guide you on a pizza fueled road trip sans car! participants will receive all the deets on starting and ending locations that are super easy to get to by walking/biking/scooting and public transport (including by nyc ferry!) plus, we’ll remind you of the friendly rules and give you the lowdown on what to expect at the after party. your pizza passport will have all the juicy details, too! grab your crew and get ready to hit up five legendary pizzerias across the boroughs that ta is dedicated to defending. the goal is to use public transportation (that means, absolutely no cars!) there’s no limit on team size, so bring your squad and unleash your creative genius! ta’s borough activists will be waiting at each pizzeria, ready to stamp your pizza passport and cheer you on like your biggest fans. folks with varying dietary needs can participate   to get your passport stamped you only need to purchase a slice or a drink of choice. no pizza party is complete without squad goals! each member of your team should register individually and round up your team members at the start line. there’s no minimum or cap on team size, but the average squad rolls in with 4 to 8 members. you can also take on this challenge solo! calling all pizza lovers of all ages. minors under 18 need to bring a chaperone because safety first, folks! chaperones are responsible for keeping their little pizza enthusiasts safe and sound. transportation alternatives is all about making nyc a safe and thriving city. proceeds from this epic pizza adventure will support campaigns in each borough, focusing on creating safer streets and better transportation options. rain just adds to the challenge! this event is rain or shine! in the case of inclement weather, ta reserves the right to cancel/modify the challenge for safety concerns. we do not refund entry fees or transfer registrations. hold onto your crust! transportation alternatives is a nonprofit on a mission to make nyc streets safer. all event proceeds go towards our vision for a better, more equitable future. tickets are non refundable, but if you can’t make it, your ticket will be treated as a tax deductible donation. you may convert your registration to a tax deductible donation by e mailing info@transalt.org if your team is the first to successfully get your pizza passports stamped at participating locations in all five boroughs, you haven’t used a car, and you take a photo together with your team at the finish, you’ll be a winner! we will also have prizes for the most creative photos that incorporate pizza and your chosen mode(s) of transportation. the 5 boro pizza challenge was founded in 2016 by joe cutrufo as a way to help meet his fundraising goal for the transportation alternatives nyc marathon team. cutrufo joined the ta staff in 2017 as communications director, and continued organizing the 5 boro pizza challenge for the next four years as a fundraiser for transportation alternatives along with his wife, shannon moriarty. shortly after the 2020 5 boro pizza challenge (which was altered to accommodate pandemic precautions), he and his family left their upper manhattan home for houston, where cutrufo now serves as executive director of the non profit advocacy organization bikehouston. transportation alternatives’ mission is to reclaim new york city from cars, transforming our streets into safe, sustainable, and equitable places to walk, bike, take transit, gather, and thrive. 111 john street, suite 260new york, ny 10038(212) 629 8080info@transalt.org © 1997 2025 transportation alternativesprivacy policy | transportation alternatives is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit

purveyors of the highest quality smoked fish, caviar, baked goods, and specialty foods, russ & daughters is new york city's premier appetizing shop. since 1914, this landmark new york city institution has been owned and operated by four generations of the russ family. russ & daughters has continued to provide the tastes and traditions of a true new york experience from the same spot on east houston street for more than a century. open every day 8:00 am   4:00 pm new york, ny 10002 • 212.475.4880 ext. 1[email protected] to place an order for pick up or delivery, please order online or call us at 212 475 4880 x1. send a taste of new york anywhere in the country   as a gift or to yourself. all shipping orders are prepared at the russ & daughters counter and then shipped for you. russ & daughters' catering platters and packages bring the tastes and traditions of classic appetizing cuisine to your gathering. our expert staff will hand slice smoked fish and prepare beautiful platters of our salads, herrings, desserts, bagels, breads, baked goods, and more   so that you can serve your guests with ease. platters can be picked up at the shop, or we can deliver them by courier to all five boroughs of new york city. platters can not be shipped. order online or call to place your catering order: 212 475 4880 x 1. *24 hours advance notice required on all catering orders, except for shivas. treat someone special to the gift of russ & daughters   send a taste of nyc! • russ & daughters gift cards purchased after 11/24/18 can be used at all russ & daughters locations. • russ & daughters gift cards can be sent digitally via e mail or shipped. • there is a minimum value of $25 per gift card. • for assistance with gift cards, please email: [email protected] for 107 years, russ & daughters has been an integral part of the history of new york city, a touchstone in the lives of generations, and the torchbearer of jewish food in america. in 1907, joel russ immigrated from the shtetl of strzyzow, now part of modern day poland. he got his start selling schmaltz herring out of a barrel to the throngs of eastern european jews on the lower east side. it took him seven years to work his way up from that first herring barrel to having a pushcart operation, a horse and wagon, and then, in 1914, a brick and mortar store. the original store was on orchard street. in 1920, he moved the store around the corner to 179 east houston street, where it has been ever since. having no sons, joel russ required his three lovely daughters   hattie, ida, and anne   to work in the store from the time they were teenagers. in 1935, he made his daughters full partners and changed the name to russ & daughters, a bold and controversial move. russ & daughters is the first business in the united states to have “& daughters” in its name. the daughters married men who also joined the business. in 1979, when the daughters and their husbands were ready to retire, mark russ federman, anne’s son, decided to leave his legal career and become the third generation owner. for thirty years, together with his wife, maria, they ran russ & daughters and made it into a new york destination, despite the lower east side’s reputation in those years as a rough neighborhood. mark russ federman wrote an acclaimed memoir, “russ & daughters: the house that herring built,” which vividly recounts the history of russ & daughters and his time running it. russ & daughters entered its fourth generation of ownership in 2009, when cousins josh russ tupper and niki russ federman took the helm. in the united states, fewer than 1% of family businesses survive long enough to enter the fourth generation. russ & daughters’ contributions as such a long standing family business and community anchor have been recognized by the new york city mayor’s office, the manhattan chamber of commerce, the smithsonian institution, the foundation for jewish culture, and state senator daniel squadron who introduced a resolution that was unanimously passed by the new york state senate “commending russ and daughters upon the occasion of celebrating its 100th anniversary.” when joel russ started peddling herring from a pushcart, could he have imagined a time when the fourth generation of the russ family would walk, daily, into a landmark appetizing shop and restaurant hailed by the national register of historic places, the new york times, gourmet, bon appetit, martha stewart, npr, the new yorker, new york magazine, pbs, the food network, the travel channel, the new york times magazine, the wall street journal, and vogue   among many esteemed others   for its contribution to new york’s culinary and historical landscape? in 2013, the russ family and russ & daughters became the subjects of the critically acclaimed documentary, “the sturgeon queens.” produced and directed by julie cohen, the sturgeon queens has been a favorite of critics and audiences at film festivals around the world, and it has aired on pbs stations. russ & daughters cafe opened in 2014, on the 100th anniversary of russ & daughters, on orchard street, the very same street where niki and josh’s great grandfather had peddled herring. russ & daughters cafe takes the appetizing classics for which russ & daughters is famous and presents them in a beautiful setting that evokes russ & daughters’ timeless appeal, history, and haimishness. at russ & daughters cafe, expert smoked salmon slicers work their craft in front of guests; an open kitchen provides an over the counter connection like one feels in the store; a soda fountain bar beckons with homemade sodas, egg creams, shrubs, and superb cocktails; friendly staff proudly wear the iconic white russ & daughters lab coats; and 107 years of living history permeates throughout the entire space. the timeless appeal of the russ & daughters cafe makes it a perfect spot any time of day: whether it’s a for a light nosh, brunch, lunch, cocktails, dinner, or a special occasion. you will be part of the mishpocha (family)   whether you have been a regular in the shop for 70 years or if you are a first time visitor. russ & daughters cafe was awarded 2 stars in a glowing review by pete wells, in the new york times, and named #2 on his list of "the 10 best new restaurants of 2014." in 2019, russ & daughters opened in the brooklyn navy yard. russ & daughters brooklyn is our appetizing factory. featuring our bakery, which is on view for all to see, an appetizing shop where you can get your favorite classic bagels and lox or smoked fish by the pound, and our traditional baked goods right out of the oven, our expanded nationwide shipping hub, new kitchens, and an event space. “appetizing” is a jewish food tradition that is most typical among american jews, and it is particularly local to new york and new yorkers. the word “appetizer” is derived from the latin “appete,” meaning "to desire, covet, or long for.” used as a noun, “appetizing” is most easily understood as "the foods one eats with bagels.” its primary components are a variety of smoked and cured salmon, homemade salads, and cream cheeses. eastern european jews started meals with cold appetizers, known in yiddish as the “forshpayz.” in new york, the popularity of forshpayzn among eastern european jewish immigrants led to the creation of the institution known as the appetizing store. appetizing also originated from jewish dietary laws, which dictate that meat and dairy products cannot be eaten or sold together. as a result, two different types of stores sprang up in order to cater to the jewish population. stores selling cured and pickled meats became known as delicatessens, while shops that sold fish and dairy products became appetizing stores. in new york city, until the 1960’s, there were appetizing stores in every borough and in almost every neighborhood. on the lower east side alone there were, at one point, thirty appetizing shops. though one of the last of its kind, russ & daughters is committed to preserving and promoting this important food culture. so, now that you know, please don’t call us a deli! to be literal, the dictionary definition of “appetizing” is, “appealing to the appetite especially in appearance or aroma; also, appealing to one's taste.” and that applies to russ & daughters as well. in 2014, 100 years after the founding of the business, on the very same street where joel russ first stood outside and sold his herrings out of a barrel, his great grandchildren, josh and niki russ, continued the family and business legacy and opened russ & daughters cafe at 127 orchard street. in brooklyn, at russ & daughters at the brooklyn navy yard, we bake all of our own bagels, bialys, shissel rye bread, pumpernickel, challah, babka, black & white cookies, knishes, and other traditional favorites. each of the russ & daughters recipes reflects four generations of dedication to authenticity, tradition, and history   a continuous thread that runs from the russ family to your family. 179 e. houston st, nyc 212.475.4880, ext. 1 [email protected] all content © russ & daughters

appetizing critique of food and restaurants october 2nd, 2016 § 2 comments § permalink hg’s e mail pal, charles curran, the florida gourmand, informed hg this morning that the carnegie delicatessen will close at the end of 2016. not a victim of the real estate monster. the carnegie owns the building in which it is located. the closing doesn’t sadden hg. for some decades the carnegie has catered to tourists. prices have been high and the sandwiches have been unappetizingly huge. the carnegie opened its doors in 1937 and immediately attracted a crowd of show biz types: press agents, song pluggers, comedians, bookies and other raffish denizens of the broadway/seventh avenue/carnegie hall neighborhood. hg dined there frequently from 1951 to 1983 (the downhill slide began in the 80’s). hg also frequented the stage delicatessen (when max asnas was in charge) and the incomparable lindy’s. those were glory days for jewish delicatessens with reuben’s in the east 50’s, gitlitz in the west 70’s, katz’s on houston street and 2nd avenue deli on second avenue. and, of course, there were scores of good delis in the boroughs (with the exception of staten island). hg’s all time favorite was reuben’s. its reuben sandwich and chicken in the pot were incomparable. woody allen’s “broadway danny rose” is framed around a group of comedians, seated at a carnegie delicatessen table, chatting about a broadway character. the film captures the ethos of the carnegie in bygone days. and, the film is a nice bittersweet homage to low level show biz. (photo by james and karla murray) march 29th, 2016 § 0 comments § permalink during hg’s many years in new york, the greedy fellow managed to eat many scores of hot dogs. the tube steak was an essential food during hg’s financially challenged young years. but, even as hg prospered, the hg appetite for hot dogs remained intense. favorite venue for the treat was papaya king on e.86th street and third avenue. two dogs with mustard and sauerkraut and a pina colada drink. perfect. the nedick’s chain used to be omnivorous in new york (its herald square location fronting on macy’s was possibly the busiest hot doggery in the world). the dogs were served on a toasted bun spread with a special mustard relish and accompanied by a very good orange drink. very inexpensive. the chain disappeared in the 1950’s. the riese organization tried to revive the brand in 2003. the effort failed. nathan’s famous (the original is still located on the coney island boardwalk and there are now locations throughout the country) served an exemplary dog. hg, however, rarely ate them but favored nathan’s clams on the half shell, fried soft shell crab sandwiches and other good things from the sea. nathan’s sloppy, messy, yummy chow mein sandwich on a hamburger bun, was another hg fave. new york once had many traditional jewish delicatessens serving good hebrew national or isaac gellis dogs plus “specials” (plump, garlicky knockwursts). hg always thought the stands offering sabrett’s “dirty water” hot dogs were vile. according to sj, if you want a great dog in downtown new york, go to katz’s, the pastrami emporium. though the pastrami may have gone downhill, the hot dog is big time. as for sausage, hg’s favorite was the new york italian pork sausage containing plenty of fennel seeds. best served from the back of a truck in greenwich village. the sausage was laid on a wedge of italian bread and topped with plentiful fried onions and peppers. all of the many inexpensive “red sauce” italian restaurants of hg’s youth served savory, abundant platters of sausage and peppers. accompanied by a side dish of buttered and parmesan dusted ziti and washed down with cheap chianti from a wicker wrapped bottle, this was hearty affordable eating. new york once had scores of german restaurants dispensing grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut and fried potatoes. the dish was flanked by a big glass of good beer. the best brats were found at luchow’s on 14th street and blue ribbon in the theater district. both long closed, alas. when in paris, hg enjoys boudin noir and boudin blanc. the boudin noir, a blood sausage, is usually accompanied by sautéed apple slices,. a winning combination. hg does not favor the excrement smelling french chitterling sausage. hg considers it a french aberration akin to that nation’s worship of jerry lewis and mickey rourke. february 29th, 2016 § 4 comments § http://hungrygerald.com/speed dating ice breaker questions/ ahhh…nostalgia. so wonderful and yet so full of shit. sj here and i must make a rebuttal against hg’s colorful yet ill informed attack against the new york of now versus the new york of hg’s past. as someone that has lived in new york for the most part of my 47 years (and is living here still), i must say that hg speaks some truths: new york has become painfully expensive for middle class and working class people and really anyone who is not making a high six figure income. and yes, many wonderful new york institutions have closed down as rents increase. and finally, it is true that the essentially secular jewish character of new york is fading while the religious chassidic population is rising. these are painful truths for a changing city. but, there are many things that have not changed one iota. hg claims that new york has pushed out mom and pop stores in favor of chains. lies! while big chains have arrived in an unprecedented fashion, new york still remains (for the moment) a place of corner bodegas, grumpy news stands, eccentric hardware stores and family run bakeries, delis and food shops. i live in carrol gardens, brooklyn and i have a shop in chinatown in manhattan and in this tiny universe generic chains have barely made a dent (with the exception of starbucks and the actually welcome addition of trader joe’s and whole foods). now onto food….hg makes a claim that new york restaurants have all become ridiculously overpriced and only serve fussy, so called “creative” small plates that highlight kale. well, those nostalgic goggles hg is wearing have become so fogged with bs, that he has no clue what he is talking about. (hg! time to stop reading new york times restaurant reviews and actually visit and eat!) while there are many trendy, overly precious restaurants (as there were back in hg’s day   remember “continental cuisine” or that rash of horrible hippy bean sprout “health food” restaurants that propagated in the 70s?), there are also scores and scores of simply great places to eat that are making food that is honest and delicious and actually responsible with their ingredient sourcing and their investment in nose to tail eating. on a mainstream level, we now have restaurants that celebrate regional cuisines from puglianese italian to top notch texas style barbecue to authentic barcelona style tapas   a long way from the very good but very one note italian and spanish restaurants of yester year; furthermore, even outside of ethnic enclaves, new york has exploded with amazing japanese, korean and other asian foods. and, if you want to speak of cheap food, well jump on a train to flushing, to sunset park, to ozone park or walk into manhattan’s chinatown and you will be flush with $4 chorizo tortas, smokey xian style chicken skewers for $1, thai sausage for $3 and a plethora of inexpensive vittles to make you smile. and yes, the great dairy restaurants of the past have shut down, but guess what? now there are uzbeck kosher restaurants popping up all over with delicious grilled meats and wholesome stews; and if you want to be a healthy jew who eats like ib singer, well there has never been a better time for vegetarians in this city both with mainstream restaurants and many serious israeli spots serving hummus, falafal and all sorts of healthy middle eastern treats. lastly, when it comes to traditional new york food and specifically jewish food, there is a renaissance happening: katz’s may have gone downhill (but their hot dog is still something killer!), but http://hungrygerald.com/singles local dating sites/ is making some incredible smoked meats; russ and daughters and kossar’s are fully revitalized and thriving, serving up perhaps the best food of their long careers; barney greengrass is packed every day of the week and a new generation of bagel makers, smoked fish lovers and matzoh ball soup mavens are opening wonderful restaurants. and with food blogs popping up everywhere old, great nyc restaurants and shops have been given a new life as can be witnessed in the hours long lines for older women dating site february 28th, 2016 § 1 comment § permalink ah, nostalgia. sentimental memories of yesteryear are bittersweet. hg is nostalgic about the new york hg left many decades ago. cheap rents on the upper west side. even cheaper rents in greenwich village and chelsea. mom and pop stores everywhere. friendly greetings. shopkeepers who would always cash a check in the days before atm’s. all wiped out by the chains and high priced, high rise condos. “co op conversions” destroyed the distinguished old apartment houses where artists and intellectuals paid affordable rents. dining out is a questionable experience (except, of course, at daughter victoria’s four restaurants rosie’s, cookshop, vic’s, hundred acres  where her husband, marc meyer, is the supervising chef). everything in most restaurants is fancy, “creative” and centered around kale, small plates and expensive wine. cheap meals? fuhgeddabout it!! the automat with its good coffee and splendid casseroles is gone. so is serviceable bickford’s. there are still a number of jewish pastrami heavens. all lousy. even katz’s and carnegie. sadly, the jewish “dairy” restaurants are almost all gone, there are a few left. b & h at 127 second avenue maintains the old traditions. for those unfamiliar with the term, a jewish “dairy” restaurant serves fish, vegetables, dairy products. no meat or meat products. the two great new york dairy restaurants were ratner’s (on delancey) and rappaport’s (on second avenue). what did they serve? herring in an infinite variety,. gefilte fish. borscht. schav. pirogen. blintzes. noodles with butter and pot cheese. scores of smoked fish, tuna and sardine salads. hg is only, scratching the surface. uptown on the upper west side there was the paramount famous on w. 72nd street and the fancy steinberg’s on broadway in the 80’s. there were many other good dairy eateries in the bronx and brooklyn. all had great bread baskets filled with bagels, bialys, rye bread, challah and pletzels (onion rolls). gallons of sour cream adorned the tables. enough. hg is getting tearful. (sj here. please look for a rebuttal to this very good, but highly suspect post tomorrow.) march 18th, 2015 § 3 comments § permalink in hg’s various nostalgia drenched accounts of the long deceased romanian jewish restaurants (called “romanian broilings”) of new york’s lower east side, hg failed to mention that pastrami, the delectable, peppery smoked meat, was introduced to the united states by these restaurants. the delightful author, patricia volk, claims her grandfather, a romanian jewish immigrant and proprietor of a delancey street delicatessen/eatery, was the first to serve pastrami, therefore ushering in happy heartburns for generations of american jews and discerning non jewish fressers. food historians claim pastrami derives from basterma, a dried beef beloved by turkish warriors who brought the delicacy to romania. (pastrami is mentioned, favorably, along with mamaliga [polenta] and karenezelach [ground beef, onion, garlic cigar shaped hamburgers] in the rousing yiddish music hall favorite, “romania, romania”.) alas, first rate pastrami is now tough to find   beyond the speciality jewish delis like katz’s on houston street and langer’s in la, but the majority of pastrami being served is commercially made and a pale comparison to the real thing. patricia volk’s grandfather started a great tradition. the family fed new york in splendid restaurants for 100 years. morgen’s (closed in 1985), run by patricia volk’s parents, was an hg favorite. located in the garment center, it was always filled with designers, lovely models and cloak and suit big shots. (read volk’s books, “stuffed” and “shocking life.” also, don’t miss books by volk’s pal (and hg/bsk’s) stephanie pierson. she’s a world class wit. her latest is “the brisket book.”). january 24th, 2014 § 0 comments § permalink two events, one tragic and one sad, took place in new york city some 18 years ago. for hg, these events marked the end of new york’s jewish ambience. sure, the new york of that time, like today, had multitudes of italians, irish, african americans, asians, and hispanics. but, it was the jews who set the overall tone of the city. the tragic event took place on march 5, 1996. on that day, abe lebewohl, the proprietor of the original second avenue delicatessen (2nd avenue and 10th street), was shot and killed as he delivered cash receipts to a nearby bank. lebewohl not only ran a great jewish delicatessen, he was also a direct link to second avenue’s colorful past as the home of yiddish theater. and, he honored that past by naming one of the delicatessen’s dining rooms after molly picon, a yiddish musical star (and a favorite of hg’s mom). wonderful jewish delicatessens like gitlitz (79th and broadway) are gone. katz’s remains on the lower east side   a stalwart in these lean deli times where the venerable carnegie deli has devolved into a grotesque tourist trap known only for the over stuffed size of their sandwiches. the sad event was the closing of lou g. siegel’s on june 29, 1996. it had been in business for 79 years. lou g. siegel was a distinguished and dignified restaurant in the heart of new york’s garment center (38th street just west of seventh avenue). it was strictly kosher (there were two rabbis on the payroll) and the food was delicious, hearty and caloric. it was where observant jewish (were there any other?) clothing executives dined. the non observant big shot jews ate at al cooper’s, further east on 38th. the garment workers frequented dubrow’s and the other very good cafeterias in the vicinity. they are all gone. seventh avenue has been named “fashion avenue”. the garment center with its rabid union members, gangsters and famed lunchtime schmooze is now the fashion district. the habitues of siegel’s kingdom of chicken fat and rugelach would have a sardonic laugh. siegel’s was the best of a host of traditional kosher restaurants that served meat ( kosher law, “kashriuth”, forbids the mingling of meat and dairy products). some of the other restaurants of that type were moskowitz & lupowitz and gluckstern’s. sammy’s romanian (allen and delancey) is a survivor. the food (non kosher) is tasty. the prices are steep. the atmosphere is a jewish parody, a broad dialect joke. the great, strictly dairy (and fish) jewish restaurants (ratner’s, rappaport’s, steinberg’s, paradise) are gone although some smaller operations still exist. this is not to say that there aren’t kosher restaurants left in new york   there are plenty of them spread throughout the five boroughs, catering to a new generation of the observant and a new group of israeli and russian jewish immigrants. the menus would be un recognizable to the observant jews of fifty years ago as they feature kosher sushi, kosher italian and kosher indian food (amongst others). the restaurants hg misses most are those that were not kosher and had wide ranging menus that included, but were not confined to, eastern european jewish food. the three greatest, of course, were lindy’s, reuben’s and tip toe inn. gone. new york has, for better or worse, lost much of its jewish flavor. it is now a truly international city with a cuisine to match. no, new york is no longer jewish but it if you are hungry it’s a great town. january 16th, 2014 § 0 comments § permalink hg has often noticed that plane travel makes hg ferociously hungry; and in a sad twist of fate, satisfying this hunger on a plane, in an airport or in the environs of an airport is close to impossible as the edible offerings are typically terrible. well, on hg/bsk’s recent travel from new mexico to denver to rhode island to paris and back, hg found himself pleasantly surprised. on the trip out from denver, hg’s thoughts turned to sandwiches. there are times when nothing satisfies quite like a good sandwich. of course, such specimens aren’t so easy to find. been a long time since hg has really had a top flight bacon tomato lettuce mayonnaise whole wheat toast sandwich at a local diner. and, of course, a really big time jewish pastrami on rye can only be found at katz’s in new york or langer’s in los angeles. but hg found a great sandwich in an unlikely spot   elway’s, a nicely designed eatery at the denver international airport. john elway is a denver football icon who has two steak houses in the city plus this place. don’t know if john knows anything about food but elway’s served hg an exemplary blackened fish sandwich on a brioche bun. it was enhanced by new orleans tasso ham and chipotle dressing. and, accompanied by a nice bowl of chipotle infused cole slaw. good, spicy stuff. made hg think over a lifetime of hand held treats   hg is very fond of big, robust italian sandwiches (called heroes, grinders, subs and po’ boys dependent upon geography). the best ever was served in a deli on the main street of new paltz in the hudson valley. john goodman, that exemplary actor (who looks like a world class eater) likes the mufaletta sandwich prepared by an italian grocery in new orleans (it features vinegary olive salad with an array of salami and ham). take a look at the website of the italian corner in east providence, rhode island, to see its encyclopedic array of grinders. one of the stars is the sausage pizzaiola grinder (sausage in a sauce of tomato, capers, spices and romana cheese). on fridays, there’s a special of a calamari steak grinder. chilean squid is pounded thin, grilled quickly to a point of juicy tenderness. it is then nestled between two slices of good italian bread with plenty of lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and olive oil. a gift from the sea. on hg’s return trip: winding back to new mexico via the erratic airline system, hg had the pleasant experience on the plane of watching denver beat san diego (with the ever dangerous philip rivers) and san francisco defeat the upstart panthers. checked into the holiday inn express at denver international airport. pleasant hotel with the world’s worst shuttle service (be forewarned). bsk peckish. went to nearby sporting news grill. expecting the worst. surprise. had a sliced flatiron steak salad. really first rate. and, the ipa brew on tap hit the spot. off to new mexico in the am. sunny day and nice motoring to pueblo. oops. highway blocked (chemical spills, high winds, etc,). lengthy detour to salida. hungry hg/bsk lunched at carmelina’s and had a platter of fresh, healthy food   fish tacos with toothsome corn tortillas, salad, tangy salsa, good refritos with melted cheese. learned later that salida has a vietnamese restaurant. colorado’s small towns are not provincial when it comes to food and fortunately this aesthetic has extended to its airport. december 19th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink al goldstein, the eccentric publisher of screw magazine and pioneer of hard core, “non socially redeeming” porn is dead. at one point in his very checkered career (according to the times obit) he was a “greeter” at the 2nd avenue delicatessen in new york. only met al once (when he was a deranged teenager) but his father, sammy, was a pal. sammy, a news photographer at international news photos, loved to eat. (so did al, who once weighed 350 pounds). when hg was a photo editor at inp, hg and sammy (a pastrami addict), shared many meals at the 2nd avenue deli and katz’s. (the duo also overate at ratner’s, sammy’s, dubiner’s,rappaport’s and other lower east side eateries). sammy was a very good boxing photographer. hg has a vivid memory of sammy at madison square garden (then on 8th avenue) ringside putting down his speed graphic between rounds to munch on (you guessed it) a pastrami on rye. july 18th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink in general, hg is not a big sandwich fan. most of the time hg feels that most things that could be stuck between slices of bread are improved by eliminating the bread. however, there are exceptions and these days hg enjoys just a few classic sandwiches: a traditional bacon lettuce tomato (when tomatoes are in season   flavorful and juicy) with good, thick cut bacon and mayo on toasted wheat bread; a pastrami on jewish rye (alas, now only available in all its splendor at katz’s in new york, schwartz’s in montreal and langer’s in l.a.); and finally, a corned beef reuben, also on jewish rye. the croque monsieurs and croque madames hg has enjoyed in paris don’t really qualify as classic sandwiches. in the past hg was more adventurous in sandwich choices. on nantucket island, hg liked the specialty of a health food shop there: sharp cheddar cheese, avocado, sprouts and chutney on whole grain bread. on the opposite health pole, hg relished the roast beef sandwiches consumed many years ago at henrich’s restaurant (long closed) on b. 116th street, rockaway park, n.y. these were constructed of thinly sliced rare roast beef, sliced raw onion and jewish rye bread spread with (your choice) 1/8th or 1/4th of an inch of chicken fat. this was sprinkled with coarse salt and black pepper. accompanied by a sour dill pickle. hg ate another unhealthy treat at the late gitlitz deli on new york’s upper west side. this was a combination of chopped liver and pastrami on rye with russian dressing. the gitlitz waiters, food conservatives, did not approve. at another long closed new york eatery, belmont cafeteria, the hangout for taxi drivers on lexington avenue, hg would accompany morning coffee with a heavily buttered onion roll enclosing muenster cheese and lettuce. in the past, bsk based her sandwich choices on peanut butter. no pb and j for bsk. instead, the young woman ate peanut butter with lettuce and mayo sandwiches or peanut butter and sweet pickle slices sandwiches. while off on a hike with her girl scout troop, bsk carried “walking sandwiches”   peanut butter wrapped in cabbage leaves. apparently these peanut buttery treats were the norm for bsk’s midwestern environ, but for hg, they sounded as exotic as the zanzibar speciality boku boku. yes, many italians love mixing nutella with roasted peanuts on white bread and elvis presley mixed peanut butter with bacon and bananas but, for pure messy eccentricity, nothing beats the hg retro delight: the chow mein on a bun served at nathan’s famous on coney island. july 7th, 2013 § 1 comment § permalink browsing through a delightful food and drink writing anthology, second helpings a taste of the glenfiddich awards, hg came upon an extreme example of english eccentricity: a glowing testimony to a greasy, unhealthy high caloric pub treat called chip buttty. hg mused that “chip butty” would be an appropriate name for a gay porno actor. the culinary chip butty is a sandwich. it is composed of heavily buttered white bread. indeed, the bread should “ooze” butter. the sandwich filling is french fries, preferably fried in lard or beef suet. a dash of malt vinegar, a squirt of ketchup and sprinkles of salt and pepper complete this treat. hg presumes this should be consumed in a pub with tankards of warm brown ale. football (soccer) on the telly. drunken football chants being chanted. possibly, hg is being harsh. after all, hg is a lover of some pretty reprehensible and messy treats like the chow mein sandwiches served on hamburger buns you can still procure from nathan’s famous hot dog stand at new york’s coney island. and, at sammy’s romanian restaurant on new york’s lower east side, hg likes to smother fried “half dollar” potatoes and other dishes with abundant amounts of golden chicken fat. unhealthy, greasy   but not truly eccentric   is an hg sandwich favorite: salami and eggs on an onion roll (pletzel). the salami (heavily fatty and garlicky jewish salami available from zabar’s and katz’s deli in new york) should be cooked with scrambled eggs pancake style. onions fried until crisp in chicken fat are a nice addition. « older entries you are currently browsing entries tagged with katz’s at hungry gerald. designed by pnts powered by wordpress
you can tell a lot about a city by the sandwiches it keeps. not just its tastes or its vices   cured meats   but also its fascination with myriad cultures, its appreciation for stellar ingredients and its desire for delicious convenience. over the last three months, the new york times food staff has crisscrossed all five boroughs in search of heroes, bodega icons, inspired crossovers, meatless wonders and more. this list isn’t a ranking   though every one of these sandwiches is marvelous to eat, with one hand or two   but a way of surveying new york as the culinary destination it is. why sandwiches? well, what other food item could be as dynamic, diverse and entertaining as new york city itself?    nikita richardson in new york city, there is no single bacon, egg and cheese to rule them all. whichever b.e.c. you’re eating in that moment is the best one. you dig into one as a means to start your day or to battle a hangover or to simply fulfill a craving for the most satisfying combination of ingredients known to man. to love the b.e.c. is to exist on a continuum of past, present and future bacon, egg and cheeses   all of them just around the corner or down the block from wherever you are right now. nikita richardson many people wouldn’t guess that c & b, by the looks of it, serves some of the finest sandwiches in the city. ali sahin’s tiny cafe has been located for nearly a decade on the south side of tompkins square park in the east village, serving breakfast sandwiches that exemplify why new yorkers love breakfast sandwiches: they’re simple as can be, but every component is on point. lining up for a weekend breakfast sandwich there feels a little like being at a model casting   one wonders if the name is a play on “see and be seen”   but ordering well is a great equalizer: a fat, rich chorizo patty straight off the griddle and wobbly scrambled eggs, all piled high on an housemade roll to soak up the sausage’s spiced fat. becky hughes 178 east seventh street (avenue b), $13, candbnyc.com new york is no stranger to smoked salmon   we’re practically aswim in lox   but it usually arrives in sandwich form on a bagel. not so at the popular radio bakery in greenpoint, where the pastry chef kelly mencin serves smoked salmon with a schmear of whipped cream cheese seasoned with pickled red onions and dill, all sandwiched between airy, crispy, everything seasoned focaccia the bread recipe was perfected by rafiq salim, a partner here and a gramercy tavern vet, but the idea to serve it in this inventive, satisfying form is all ms. mencin’s. on weekends, the sandwich tends to sell out well before 11 a.m., but hopefully that won’t be an issue when a second radio bakery opens in prospect heights later this year. nikita richardson 135 india street (manhattan avenue), $15, radiobakery.nyc elyssa heller is a pandemic pop up success story. she started selling hand rolled bagels and dishes inspired by the jewish diaspora out of paulie gee’s pizzeria in 2020 before opening edith’s sandwich counter in williamsburg, where the menu is tight but clever: egg sandwiches on bagels, breakfast wraps on yemeni flatbread and deli classics like tuna melts and pastrami on rye.