Bánh Mì, $5
Baoguette Pho Sure
(120 Christopher St., nr. Bedford St.; 212-929-0877)
Garden freshness (cilantro, cucumber) plus a whiff of Asian mystery (pork terrine, roast pork) plus a soft, crunchy baguette equals the most addictive new sandwich in town.
Photo by Sophie Finkelstein
Valentino Special, $8.95
Defonte’s of Brooklyn
(261 Third Ave., at 21st St.; 212-614-1500)
This iconic sandwich mecca is famous for its mammoth calorie bombs. The Valentino (provolone, roasted red peppers, fried eggplant) is our favorite “lighter” option.
Photo by Hannah Whitaker
House-Smoked BLT, $9
Char No. 4
(196 Smith St., nr. Baltic St.; 718-643-2106)
A BLT for decorous fatsos, made with braised pork belly instead of the standard smoked bacon. Crisp romaine provides a welcome illusion of healthfulness.
Photo by Priscilla De Castro
BBQ-Rib Sandwich, $12
Momofuku Ssäm Bar
(207 Second Ave., at 13th St.; 212-254-3500)
Unlike many sloppy ’cue sandwiches, this trencherman’s delicacy (Newman Farm pork and red-onion slaw on a homemade toasted roll) is exactly the right size.
Photo by Priscilla De Castro
Broccoli-Rabe-Sausage Grinder, $12
Locanda Verde
(377 Greenwich St., at N. Moore St.; 212-925-3797)
Andrew Carmellini composes his exceptional ode to the Italian hero with fresh broccoli rabe, sausage, and sweet peppers and serves it, mingled with sheep’s-milk ricotta, on a toasty, torpedo-shaped bun.
Photo by Priscilla De Castro
Cuban, $14
The West Branch
(2178 Broadway, at 77th St.; 212-777-6764)
Tom Valenti puts roasted pork shoulder, sliced ham, pepperoncini, housemade pickles, and a slab of provolone between ciabatta and flattens it in a panini press. The result is the best haute Cuban in town.
Photo by Sophie Finkelstein
Porchetta Sandwich, $9
Porchetta
(110 E. 7th St., nr. First Ave.; 212-777-2151)
Sara Jenkins’s inspired Tuscan hoagie is a dissertation on the melting, crackly wonders of pork. For maximum combo-stuffer effect, order a pork plate on the side.
Photo by Priscilla De Castro
Croque Monsieur, $16
Le Cirque
(151 E. 58th St., nr. Lexington Ave.; 212-644-0202)
Have it as God intended, with a fine glass of the best Meursault, served with proper ceremony in the restaurant’s wine lounge.
Photo by Sophie Finkelstein
