Since 1940, this Astoria restaurant has been in business! They know how to make a good deli sandwich. These foot-long, high-rise sandwiches are engineering marvels. They have a quintessential Italian approach to deli food: a mixture of cold cuts and deli meats. There is also the option of adding provolone cheese or American, sweet peppers and hot peppers. They’re known for a sandwich called “The Bomb,” which combines the ingredients of two sandwiches on the menu and is therefore twice as tall as your average sandwich—it has more types of meat than I can count (or personally need). TikTok obviously loves it but I prefer to have the classic Italian, or build my own sandwich with turkey. Bring some cash with you and bring a friend or two to share. There’s no seating, so these are best picked up on your way to the Astoria waterfront—though I have just eaten my order standing outside on the sidewalk, and I wouldn’t blame you for doing the same.
174 5th Ave, Flatiron
Court Street Grocers, a team of experienced professionals, took over this delicatessen. The sandwiches are now a favorite. I love hustling into S&P for a workday lunch meeting: Just stand in line by the hostess stand, even if you’re still waiting for your dining companion to arrive, and when it’s your turn you’ll be whisked to the counter or a table where you can enjoy a perfect tuna melt, turkey club, or the Mel Brooks, which balances the healthy choice of roast turkey with a single slice of tender corned beef, plus mustard, slaw, and Russian dressing. You can also get breakfast sandwiches with pastrami or lox. There’s even a dairy section, including melon and cottage cheese.Great sides and fantastic side dishes are available. The retro experience is completed by fountain sodas, so get yourself an egg cream and wash it down.
260 Bleecker St, West Village
