Grilled Pork Chop Bahn Mi @ The Spot

After a three year absence, Sandwich Guy just couldn't get enough of sandwiches and the Grilled Pork Chop Bahn Mi @ The Spot in Murray Hill brought him out of retirement! Who doesn't love a Bahn Mi, but this pork chop was grilled perfectly with a nice sweetness that balanced the salty meat, along with pickled carrots, daikon, and cilantro. It's the generous heaping of their smooth and creamy pate that really sets this Bahn Mi apart. I could eat it as dip all day every day and be fat and happy.

Check out The Spot on 719 2nd Ave. for other delicious sandwiches and phos.


https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-spot-new-york-13

HOUSE-SMOKED TURKEY FROM SPREADS

New to Flatiron, Spreads has a menu with twists added to common sandwiches. So instead of the same boring turkey you've always had, Spreads' house-smoked turkey has avocado, monterey jack, roasted peppers, spicy chipotle aioli and tortilla chips on a toasted ciabatta. The house-smoked turkey definitely beats any standard Oven Gold/Boar's Head deli meat, but the star of the sandwich is the tortilla chips. I don't know why I've never thought to add tortilla chips to a sandwich before, but that is about to change. The added saltiness of the chips is balanced by the pickled peppers and a spicy-but-not-too-spicy chipotle aioli that's generously slathered on the toasted ciabatta. At $9.50, the sandwich is priced just about right. I will be returning for the smoked salmon/brown sugar bacon sandwich next.

441 Park Ave S
(between 30th St & 29th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhood: Midtown East

(212) 758-5555

http://www.spreadsny.com/

FIVE SPICE GLAZED PORK BELLY - NUM PANG

Num Pang makes fantastic Cambodian-style sandwiches in three locations throughout Manhattan. I've yet to have a bad sandwich there, but the five-spiced glazed pork belly ($8.50) is definitely their best. Served on a semolina roll that mops up the contents well, the pork belly has a sweet tang due to a slice of glazed pear on top and isn't overly fatty like pork belly tends to be. Num Pang's signature chili mayo adds a nice bit of spice to the sweetness, and a generous helping of cucumber and pickled carrots give the sandwich a much-needed crunch. Just make sure to skip their blood-orange lemonade which tastes like Tang.

NUM PANG GRAND CENTRAL

140 E. 41st Street
(Btw. Lexington & 3rd Ave)

212 867-8889

numpangnyc.com

BAOS FROM BAOHAUS

BaoHaus is serving up authentic Taiwanese steamed buns right off Union Square. For under $4 bucks you can choose from their seven unique options plus rice bowls and fries. Each bao is served with a soft, pillowy bun that holds the contents well. The Chairman Bao is filled with braised pork belly, crushed peanuts, cilantro and Taiwanese red sugar. The pork belly is packed with flavor but not too fatty and the red sugar gives it an added sweet tang. The Haus Bao is made with beef cheek instead of pork belly that was tender, but not quite as tasty as the pork. The last bao was the Uncle Jesse, named after John Stamos' character on Full House since the actor is a vegetarian. The tofu is fried but not overly greasy and a nice way to end the meal after two meat baos. All in all, the place is great for a quick snack or a solid lunch if you order more than one. The taro fries are no slouch either.

BaoHaus
238 E. 14 St (2nd Ave)
(646) 669-8889
http://www.baohausnyc.com

ROAST LAMB SANDWICH FROM BALTHAZAR

A fantastic place for any meal, Balthazar in SoHo is a French brasserie that makes a terrific roasted lamb sandwich for lunch with grilled vegetables, arugula, and a harissa mayonnaise. The lamb is juicy and flavorful, but also lets the rest of the sandwich shine as well. A bevy of grilled vegetables and a tangy homemade harissa mayonnaise add a nice peppery kick. Get it with crispy shoestring fries that aren't greasy or oily at all. In addition, the restaurant boasts over 300 French wines and has a next-door bakery that's great for take out.  For a Parisian fin de siecle experience in NYC, you can't go wrong with Balthazar.

Balthazar Restaurant
80 Spring St. (b/w Broadway and Crosby)
NYC 10012
(212) 965-1414
balthazarny.com

CHEESESTEAK FROM 99 MILES TO PHILLY

I've never had a cheesesteak in Philadelphia so I imagine that 99 Miles to Philly wouldn't stack up to Pat's or Jim's, or any of the other supposed greats; but in NYC you be hard-pressed to find a better steak sandwich.  Carl's is pretty solid as well but 99 Miles has the edge since their cheesesteaks are less greasy.  Recently, a new to-go 99 Miles opened on 45th St. off 2nd Ave in addition to the one in the East Village.  A friend and I took the taste test by getting three cheesesteaks all with different cheeses - provolone, American and wit wiz.  The Provolone was the best, creamy enough but not getting in the way of the star of the sandwich.  American came second and the wiz was good for a few bites but not much more.  I'm told 99 Miles uses the traditional Amoroso rolls, which holds the meat and grease well so the sandwich doesn't become a sloppy mess.  I'm a fan of peppers and grilled onions to add some extra flavor, but the best part about a cheesesteak is you can design it with whatever topping you prefer.  So head on over to 99 Miles for one of the best cheesesteaks in the city and don't forget to bring your hungry.

99 MILES TO PHILLY
94 3rd Ave
(between 12th St & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003Neighborhood: East Village
99milestophillyeastvillage.com

LOBSTER ROLL FROM NEPTUNE OYSTER IN BOSTON

Neptune Oyster in the North End District in Boston has a lobster roll that is literally exploding with lobster meat.  They have two options for rolls at $25.00, a hot one with butter and a cold one with mayo.  The toasted roll is sweet and compliments the explosion of lobstery goodness very well.  The mayo is slathered on but not overdone, and the pieces of meat aren't just lobster shavings but big and chunky globs from the tail and claw.  An appetizer of oysters is a must since it's half the restaurant's namesake.  The Wellfleets and the Island Creeks are the best since they have the shortest trip from the ocean to your plate.  While the Sox got clobbered by the Yankees in their last game of the season, at least Bostonians have this roll to help them lick their wounds.    


NEPTUNE OYSTER

neptuneoyster.com