#91 – THE DAVE at CITY SANDWICH

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…

Back in my “actor days,” I spent lots of time at the restaurants along Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen. It’s just a few blocks away from most of the Broadway theaters (where I wasted too many nights seeing many mediocre performances) and the food options are pretty eclectic. It’s no longer my food destination of choice, but there are still some good restaurants along that strip.

I’ve been to City Sandwich a handful of times in the past (and often when this space was housed by Say Cheese years ago) and have been impressed by their generous and tasty Portuguese-influenced sandwiches.

Instead of name dropping celebrities, this sandwich shop honors everyday people (presumably friends or family of the owner). The sandwiches are named after people like James, Salvatore, Lucy, and Fatima. I have no idea who these people are but they certainly inspire delicious sandwiches.

Time Out likes The Dave. It’s a monster that could quench just about any appetite. Taking a nod from Italian flavor combinations, the hero features crumbled sweet sausage, bitter broccoli rabe, melted fresh mozzarella, and plenty of garlic and olive oil. There was also some serious heat emerging from the addition of peperoncini.

The flavors worked very well together and stood up to the wondrous baguette, which is baked just for them at a Portuguese bakery in Newark.

Aside from having to listen to some annoying actors complain about their lives (was I ever like that?), I had a nice experience at City Sandwich. The owner is incredibly hospitable, genuinely checking in to make sure I liked the sandwich and offering me a free dessert to take home. Although this is Ninth Avenue and I’m sure he’s learned a bit from his customers, I don’t think he was acting. He’s passionate and genuine about his sandwiches. And it makes me want to come back to try all of his friends.

Would City Sandwich’s The Dave make my Top 100 of the year? The bread alone earns it an 8 out of 10, but the other flavors were prominent, hearty, and distinct.