See nine New York City sandwiches worth trying

A symbol almost as potent as the bagel, mixed cookie and slice of pizza, Katz Deli’s Pastrami on Rye Sandwich is the quintessential New York snack. Yes, this is the same as in the movie “Harry and Sally – Made for Each Other” — the orgasm-inducing sandwich that prompted customers to ask “what is she eating,” with a line out the door.

But in New York City, there’s always room for improvement (this is the home of the cronut, the sweet donut-shaped croissant mix, after all), and in recent years, a number of great new sandwiches have been served up in the Big Apple. .

Each innovation is more exciting than the last, adding something special to the city’s lunch. Here are nine New York sandwiches that deserve to rank alongside Katz’s pastrami on rye:

1. Num Pang Sandwich Shop Pulled Duroc Pork Sandwich

A success since it first opened in 2009, this small chain of shops selling Cambodian-style sandwiches bath mi proved that even something as familiar as pulled pork deserves an upgrade.

At Num Pang, they serve honey-seasoned pulled Duroc pork with cucumber, pickled carrots, cilantro, and chili mayonnaise on a semolina or quinoa baguette.

It is, in short, addictive.

2. Mamoun’s Falafel Sandwich

New York City’s oldest falafel restaurant might as well be its best, and after more than four decades, little has changed – much to the delight of its loyal customers.

The signature treat is the falafel sandwich: deep-fried chickpea and spice fritters served on a warm pita bread with tahini sauce and salad, at a budget-friendly price.

3. No. 7 Sub Classic Broccoli

Let’s start at the beginning: forget any preconceived notions about what a broccoli sandwich is. Throw them out the window, because No. 7’s chunky sandwich is a certifiable game-changer.

It’s made with roasted broccoli, feta cheese, fried shallots, mayonnaise, and a little lychee for sweetness, all stuffed into a Brooklyn-baked Italian hero. A vegetarian option never tasted so good.

4. Luke’s Lobster Lobster Roll Sandwich

Getting Maine lobster in New York City has never been a big deal, but finding an excellent lobster roll isn’t always guaranteed.

Until Luke’s Lobster Lobster Rolls arrived in 2009 – simple rolls with a touch of mayonnaise, a few seasonings and a pound of high-quality Maine lobster claw meat.

To say it was a (delicious) success is an understatement: after opening its first store in the East Village, Luke’s expanded to several US states and even reached Tokyo.

5. Classic mini sandwiches from The Meatball Shop

Chef and owner Daniel Holzman’s dream of opening a restaurant serving only meatballs and meatball sandwiches was realized in 2010 and the now beloved restaurant, The Meatball Shop, has become even more successful with its mini sandwiches.

Combining meatballs and sauce in a mini bun allows diners to mix and match sauces and meats, but the classic – a single meatball, hand-rolled in-house, with a simple tomato sauce – is the thing.

Their classic tomato sauce has been a hit in its own right: since opening six years ago, TMS has sold more than 55,000 gallons and is now also selling in stores and online.

6. Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque Burnt Brisket Tip Sandwich

Still young on the New York food scene, Mighty Quinn’s began selling its barbecue from a booth at an outdoor food market in Brooklyn. In 2013, it found a home in the East Village – along with a legion of devotees.

His style, a Carolina/Texas barbecue mix, yields unforgettable pulled pork, spare ribs and especially seared brisket ends – which deserve a sandwich on their own.

The charred ends of the brisket are served on a freshly baked bun and topped with homemade sauce. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most popular items served.

7. Mile End Deli Smoked Meat Sandwich

A Jewish/Canadian deli in Brooklyn (no less than non-kosher), Mile End is anything but ordinary, as is its popular smoked meat sandwich.

A rival to Katz’s pastrami, Mile End’s sandwich is packed with dry-cured brisket that has been seasoned, smoked and piled on rye bread (with mustard, of course).

Says owner Noah Bernamoff: “Deli meats in general have become commodified like so many other traditional foods, so the real reason people love our smoked meat is because we take the time and care to make it the old-fashioned way. – starting with exceptional quality beef, dry-cured and smoked using real wood.”

8. The Court Street Grocers Italian Combo

One might think that a subway sandwich stuffed with Italian cured meats and cheeses shouldn’t require a lot of thought, but in the case of Court Street Grocers, it took the owners more than two years to perfect their Italian Combo sandwich.

The mix of mortadella, copa, soppressata dried salami, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, pecorino romano, red onion, arugula, mayonnaise and Court Street hoagie paste comes together perfectly on a seeded roll bread. It’s a new twist on an old classic well done.

9. Parm’s Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich

Turning a classic – and no doubt familiar – Italian-American dish into an unforgettable sandwich takes a special twist. In the case of the chicken parmigiana sandwich, this is provided by Parm.

With its tangy tomato sauce, perfectly shredded chicken, and just the right amount of basil leaves, sandwiched in a semolina roll, the comfort food blend meets sophisticated enhancements and results in a sandwich to remember. Fans seem to be thinking the same thing, too: Parm sandwiches can now be found at Yankee Stadium.

*Cindy Augustine is a lifestyle writer and editor based in downtown New York City. She’ll travel to the ends of the Earth for a great meal, especially if it involves pizza. See photos of her on Instagram and follow her on Twitter.