Photo/Chris Preovolos
10/4/2008
NICKY’S VIETNAMESE SANDWICHES: 150 EAST 2ND ST, NEW YORK
While sitting at a tiny wrought-iron table at Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches in New York City yesterday I noticed my friend was looking at me funny.
What? Did I have food on my face? Admittedly, I was attacking my sandwich with little regard for table manners. Then came the realization: she was indicating that this sandwich belonged on the food blog.
I attended college in San Jose, which has the largest Vietnamese-American population of any city in the country, and my lunches frequently consisted of phở and other noodle dishes. However, I never tried Vietnamese sandwiches because I couldn’t get past the unfortunate name of the most popular sandwich shop there (which was pronounced the same as a particular Nazi concentration camp). OK…I now realize this is completely irrational, perhaps culturally insensitive and most importantly, that I’ve been totally missing out.
Both of us ordered the Classic Vietnamese Sandwich ($5) with pâté, ham, pickled vegetables and lots of cilantro on a baguette. Say ‘yes’ when they ask if you want it spicy. Bottles of Sriracha hot chili sauce weren’t on the tables but were eagerly provided upon request.
The baguette makes it. I haven’t had a sandwich on a baguette quite this good in a while; crispy and chewy and of the perfect density for this sandwich. I guess Franco colonialism had some lasting positive effects.
My biggest regret was ordering a canned soda instead of the fresh lemonade.
Oh yeah, next time I am definetly going to try the pork chop sandwich.
–CP
Those sandwiches are juicy sweet and delicious. I remember taking a girl on a date on the lower East Side and suggesting Nicky’s sandwich.
She said it was a good call and we went.
Delicious.
Comment by Jim — October 5th, 2008 @ 4:21 pm