#43 – THAT WAY at THIS LITTLE PIGGY HAD ROAST BEEF

For the third year in a row, I’m going to attempt to eat every single item on Time Out New York’s annual 100 Best Dishes list. In no particular order, here’s my take on their Top 100. Let the gluttony continue…

Never been a big roast beef fan. Not sure why. Sure, I like beef as much as the next person but maybe I’ve had too many sliced processed Arby sandwiches or attended my limit of bad weddings. Give me pot roast, brisket, or tenderloin, but roast beef has just never been my thing.

I’m also not a fan of Artichoke Basille, the greasy hugely popular pizza shop on 14th Street. The reason I bring this up is because the owners of Artichoke opened up an Italian sandwich shop last year called This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef and of course the speciality (and TONY list item) are two different type of roast beef sandwiches. One is called This Way (roast beef with au jus and cheez whiz), one is called That Way (roast beef with gravy and fresh mozzarella), and then they also serve pastrami with cole slaw and that’s known as The Other Way.

Thanks to Time Out, I went That Way. The sole employee looking over the place on a quiet Thursday afternoon really wanted nothing to do with me – as if I was impeding on his time. But he took my order (I got it on a roll instead of a hero since it was cheaper and probably enough food for me) and cooked up a tasty version.

I was shocked to discover the deliciousness of this sandwich. The beef was peppery and incredibly tender, falling apart as a pot roast or brisket might. It was browned and charred without much fat. It also wasn’t swimming in gravy, but instead the soft white bun soaked up just enough to make it moist, but not soggy. And the slice of thick fresh mozzarella added some butteriness that was a nice touch.

Amazingly, the guys from Aritchoke Basille may have just turned me in to a roast beef believer with this stunning sandwich. I can’t wait to go That Way again and to try This Way. Hell, I think I’ll go both ways.

Would This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef’s That Way make my Top 100 of the year? Surprisingly, it just might since it’s the most succulent, delicious roast beef sandwich I’ve ever tasted and gets an 8 out of 10.