Sandwiches

Fried chicken sandwich at Van Horn Sandwich Shop

Fried chicken sandwich at Van Horn Sandwich Shop
Southern comfort arrived on Court Street this year via this laid-back spot, offering multiple riffs on low-country sandwiches. Our favorite of the bunch is the fried fowl: Chef Rick Hauchman salts chicken breasts from nearby butcher Los Paisanos before soaking them in jalapeo-spiked buttermilk. He then dredges the fillets in flour and fries them to order, nestling the crispy, craggy result in a Caputo's bun with crunchy red cabbage--cilantro slaw. The final touch: a smear of the house's thick and fiery carrot habanero hot sauce. 231 Court St between Baltic and Warren Sts, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (718-596-9707, vanhornbrooklyn.com). $12.

Grilled flank-steak sandwich at Bluebird Sky

Grilled flank-steak sandwich at Bluebird Sky
The beef for this standout sammie spends 24 hours in a flavor-boosting bath of oil, garlic, crushed peppercorns and pimentn. Slices are seared to a juicy medium-rare, covered with nutty melted Gruyre and folded into a crusty Grandaisy baguette with tangy house-pickled shallots. 121 Baxter St between Canal and Hester Sts (212-966-4646). $9.

Pulled duroc pork sandwich at Num Pang Sandwich Shop

Pulled duroc pork sandwich at Num Pang Sandwich Shop
There's no way to eat this sandwich gracefully, but that's part of the fun. A chili-mayo-smeared toasted Parisi roll acts as the vessel for a mound of smoky spiced-honey-glazed pork. The crown of julienned pickled carrots, fresh cilantro and thinly sliced cucumber helps keep the meat's richness in check. 21 E 12th St between Fifth Ave and University Pl (212-255-3271) * 140 E 41st St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-867-8889) * numpangnyc.com. $7.75.

The Dave at City Sandwich

The Dave at City Sandwich
Finding a new go-to sandwich in midtown is no small thing---it's like discovering a reliable hairdresser who gets your bangs right every time. That's why we can't help but gush about the reliably delicious Dave, always on call when we need a crusty baguette stuffed with crumbled Italian sausage, fresh tomato, diced broccoli rabe, house-made piri-piri sauce and a gooey layer of melted mozzarella. Douse it with peperoncini-infused olive oil for a little extra punch. 649 Ninth Ave between 45th and 46th Sts (646-684-3943). $9.95.

The Peter Shelsky at Shelsky's Smoked Fish

The Peter Shelsky at Shelsky's Smoked Fish
This new-school appetizing shop pimps out the old bagel-and-lox format, layering three kinds of fish---silky Eastern Gasp salmon, soft sable and sweet pickled herring in cream sauce---on a chewy Kossar's round. Scallion cream cheese pumps up the richness, and pickled onions cut through the fat. 251 Smith St between DeGraw and Douglass Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-855-8817). $11.50.

That Way at This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef

That Way at This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef
Slices of supple, seasoned top round are piled on a chewy Italian loaf in this gloriously sloppy behemoth. Creamy Lioni Latticini mozzarella and a dousing of juicy gravy made from thickened pan drippings crown this stellar roast beef sandwich---a blue-chip drunk food that's available for your booze-softening pleasure well into the wee hours. 149 First Ave between 9th and 10th Sts (212-253-1500). Hero $9.50, roll $5.50.

Chicken Parmesan at Best Pizza

Chicken Parmesan at Best Pizza
To elevate the tired Italian standby, chef Frank Pinello brines deboned chicken thighs, showers them in flour and dunks them in the deep fryer. The crunchy, juicy fowl is crowned with marinara, creamy house-made mozzarella and basil leaves, and presented inside a squat, oven-charred Roberta's baguette that's tasty to the last crumb. 33 Havemeyer St between North 7th and 8th Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-2210, best.piz.za.com). $9.

The lamb burger at James

The lamb burger at James
On Monday nights, when James rolls out its special burger menu, the main attraction is not a trendy Pat LaFrieda--beef blend but rather a loosely packed half-pound puck of lamb. It's dusted in cumin, seared in a cast-iron pan, anointed with warm goat cheese and cipollini onions, and snuggled inside a sturdy, sesame-studded semolina roll that cocoons the rich juices. 605 Carlton Ave at St. Marks Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-942-4255, jamesrestaurantny.com). Mondays $12, as special $16.

The Reuben at Court Street Grocers

The Reuben at Court Street Grocers
Co-owners Eric Finkelstein and Matt Ross take an artisanal approach to this deli staple. Two buttery slices of Orwasher's wine bread bookend a mound of short-rib corned beef, house-cured with salt, cinnamon and pantry's worth of other spices. Topping the pile is gooey Emmentaler cheese, tangy Russian dressing and a pile of kraut. 485 Court St between Huntington and Nelson Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-722-7229, courtstreetgrocers.com). $9.

Halloween sandwich at No. 7 Sub

Halloween sandwich at No. 7 Sub
The magnificently bizarre lineup of sandwiches at No. 7 Sub changes with the seasons---and with the capricious will of the creator, chef Tyler Kord. Last fall he debuted the Halloween---a monster mash-up of short rib braised with garlic, jalapeo and onion, plus roasted sweet potatoes and gooey, melted marshmallows. The finished product calls to mind a Thanksgiving casserole; an acidic red wine and shallot vinaigrette keeps the sugar high in check. Ace Hotel, 1188 Broadway at 29th St (212-532-1680, no7sub.com). $9.80.

Pastrami sandwich at Liebman's Deli

Pastrami sandwich at Liebman's Deli
Since 1953, this certified-kosher Jewish deli has cranked out killer house-made pastrami. Brisket is massaged with plenty of salt, sugar and pepper, then smoked and steamed till it's fall-apart tender. Sliced thin, stacked high on rye bread and swiped with mustard, the pastrami is supple, zesty perfection. 552 W 235th St between Johnson and Oxford Aves, Bronx (718-548-4534, liebmansdeli.com). $9.50.