Brown Bag Sandwich Co

After a shift at the high-pressure, Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, chef Antonio Barbieri would often find himself at his local bodega, craving a late-night sandwich. And when the pandemic put his fine-dining aspirations on hold, he turned back to that comfort meal for his next move.

In September 2024, Barbieri partnered with Gilli Rozynek to launch Brown Bag Sandwich Co. in Greenwich Village, followed by a second location in Flatiron about a year later. Chopped sandwiches are the name of the game here, with riffs on classics like the spicy tuna melt, Buffalo chicken and, naturally, the chopped cheese. Yes, Barbieri understands the comparisons to Farmer in the Deli, the famous Fort Greene sandwich shop that’s been chopping sandwiches since the ’50s. But he doesn’t mind, as his versions tweak the deli classics with housemade sauces and locally sourced ingredients, including bread from Parisi Bakery.

Their biggest calling card to date? The chicken Caesar wrap, a well-dressed number with roasted chicken, housemade croutons and a touch of anchovy that’s still racking up views on TikTok. But the pastrami Reuben (available only at the Flatiron location), we think, should be next up in the feed. Starting with the brisket alone, the meat is brined for seven days before being steamed and cold-smoked over six hours. The end result is tender, peppery shreds that play well with tangles of tart sauerkraut and gooey Swiss cheese. It’s all encased in a caraway-studded rye hero made specially by Breads Bakery, sturdy enough to hold up until the last bite. Grab a pickle from the counter and a side of mac salad while you’re at it, and call it a lunch well done.

Time Out tip: Neither location is particularly big, with just a few stools lining the windows. However, the Flatiron outpost is only a block from Madison Square Park, making it an easy grab-and-go park lunch.