What’s the most famous food that New York City is known for? Pizza? Hot Dogs? Cheese Cake? Or is it the Chopped Cheese? It’s probably pizza. But once it comes to originality, a dish that was truly invented and gained its popularity right here in the Big Apple, then we’ll have to go with the Chopped Cheese. Does any other city even serve it? Well, y’all better get your copyrights in order first. It’s so simple and delicious. Mainly made in corner stores and Bodegas across the five boroughs, the level of deliciousness depends on A) the freshness of ingredients, B) the sauce that is served with it, and C) how you actually serve it, because as you will see, not all of them have to be a sandwich.
Hajji’s
Haji’s Blue Sky Deli is located on 1st Avenue and 110th Street. This place takes ownership of the invention of this sandwich. Although there is some debate about it, being that one more Bodega in The Bronx is also claiming the same accolades. I couldn’t figure out where the deli in The Bronx was located, so I went with Haji’s, and oh boy, was it good! Best 8 bucks I ever spent. It consists of seasoned ground beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and a secret sauce, served on a club roll, that is later rolled up in wax paper, almost giving it a look of burrito. Sensational. I absolutely loved it.
Bodega Truck
Food Trucks are big in NYC, we are always on the go. Of course there are good ones, and there are bad ones, but we usually know which ones to go with, and if you’re not from here, please do yourself a favor and research. There is a lot of subpar food on four wheels. Bodega Truck is a good one! You kinda have to figure out which location to choose for your NYC dining experience, but if you go on their website, you can quickly figure it out with their locator function. This truck offers a few options, but The OG will be the traditional Chopped Cheese, so of course I went with that. I was promised that it was going to be the best, and I 100% agree that it is (at the very least) one of the best. This sandwich also has the original ingredients, ground beef, cheese, lettuce and tomato topped with the “Bodega Sauce”, served on a roll. Outrageously delicious. On Thursdays the truck parks close to my house, and you bet your buns that I am going back for more.
Nowon
OK, now let’s think a little bit outside of the box. Nowon is one of my favorite restaurants in New York City (on the Lower Eastside), super cool spot with delicious Korean-American food. One of their dishes is called Chopped Cheese Rice Cakes, and it’s one of the best things I ever ate. It is made with spiced beef, soy-pickled jalapeños and parmesan. I literally order it EVERY TIME I go. It is that good.
Shmackwich
Shmackwich is a little sandwich place located in the Olly Olly Market on W26th Street, all the way on the westside. This place has taken the Chopped Cheese to a higher level. Made with Heritage Wagyu Akaushi ground beef, a cheese blend, roasted tomatoes, rosemary and garlic with confit aioli and a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey, this one is a pure delicacy. It will be served on either ciabatta or a baguette, depending on the size you order, and it’s culinary success. Loved it.
Pink’s Cantina
Hey, you want to think outside of the box a little more? Here you go: how about a Chopped Cheese Burrito? Pink’s Cantina on the Lower Eastside understood the assignment, and turned our beloved Chopped Cheese into a Burrito. And successfully so. Even though (unfortunately) there was no lettuce or tomato served in this burrito, which is essential to a Chopped Cheese, the flavor or the ground beef with the American cheese were still super delicious. So delicious, they still made the cut in my view. Just make sure they add lettuce and tomato if you go order it!
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