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Your parents probably weren’t thinking about your future lunch budget when they named you. But if they landed on Michael, Alyssa or Giovanni, their choice is about to pay off in the form of an Italian sandwich.
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Alidoro is celebrating National Sandwich Day on Tuesday, November 3, by giving customers a free sandwich if their first name matches one of seven eligible menu items. The promotion celebrates the NYC-born shop’s 40th anniversary, with a little preferential treatment for people who’ve spent years seeing their names on its menu.
Before every hungry John in Midtown makes lunch plans, here’s how it works: qualifying guests get their namesake sandwich, plus select nicknames and spelling variations. Giovanni includes Gio and John; Michelangelo includes Michael and Angelo; Matthew extends to Matt and Matty; and Brando includes Brandon. Daniela also covers Danielle and Daniel, while alternate spellings of Alyssa qualify, too. Enzo rounds out the list.
That means your name determines your order, so it’s worth getting acquainted with what’s between the bread. According to Alidoro’s Bryant Park menu, Giovannis get roasted ham, provolone, shredded iceberg, fresh tomatoes, red onion, hot spread and pesto cream. The Michelangelo combines prosciutto, provolone, hot peppers and arugula, while the Matthew pairs prosciutto with fresh mozzarella, arugula and balsamic dressing.
For the turkey contingent, the Alyssa comes with smoked turkey, fresh mozzarella, arugula and balsamic dressing; the Brando features smoked turkey, provolone, sweet roasted peppers and arugula. The Daniela brings tuna, fresh mozzarella, hot peppers and arugula. Enzo's should prepare for some heat: their hot sandwich packs hot soppressata, fresh mozzarella, hot peppers, red onion, arugula and hot spread.
Five locations are participating: Bryant Park at 18 East 39th Street; Rockefeller Center at the concourse level of 1 Rockefeller Plaza; Moynihan Train Hall at 383 West 31st Street; The Hugh at 601 Madison Avenue; and One Madison at 23 East 23rd Street.
Check the eligible names before recruiting your lunch crew: a sandwich-worthy name doesn’t automatically put it on the freebie list.