Sandwich Series: Faicco’s Italian Specialties

In the roughly four years I’ve lived in New York, it has been a mission of mine to seek out the best sandwiches in the city. Sandwiches are unique because they represent a simple way to compare ingredients and flavors from many of cultures, all captured in delicious, bread-based vehicles of varying shapes and sizes. I have fallen in love with quite a few different kinds, from the vegetarian-friendly falafel sandwich from Taim (review to come) to the bao-style “sandwiches” I described in my review of Eddie Huang’s BauHaus. However, my first sandwich love was the Italian sub, which is why I will be launching my new “Sandwich Series” with a review of Faicco’s Italian Specialties.

Growing up in an Italian-American family in New Jersey, all family gatherings began with a robust antipasto. Needless to say, I developed an appreciation for Italian cold cuts early on, from the standard salami to the prized Prosciutto Di Parma. While I could snack on antipasto all day, there is something special about an Italian sub (also sometimes referred to as a hero, hoagie, or grinder). Your standard Italian sub will be comprised of some combination of Italian cured meats and cheeses with lettuce, tomato, olive oil and vinegar on a nice loaf of Italian bread. My favorite, though, is the “Italian Specialty” at Faicco’s, which is served with prosciutto, ham cappy, soppressata, mozzarella, lettuce, tomatoes and roasted red peppers or sundried tomatoes. I order mine with peppers and request spicy soppressata for a little extra heat. Add olive oil and vinegar (and salt and pepper, if you so choose), and you are good to go. Pro tip: if you don’t plan to eat your sandwich right away, get the olive oil and vinegar on the side, so the bread doesn’t become soggy!

Faicco’s is a classic, old-school Italian deli on Bleecker Street in the West Village. The staff is friendly and the ingredients and prepared foods are delicious. Grab a ticket when you walk in, and try not to order everything on the menu when your number is called, though you might be tempted. Please note, the portions are gigantic. As you watch your sub being crafted, you will wonder why they cut out some of the inside of the bread, until you realize that your sandwich will need every single centimeter to hold all of the heaping mounds of meats and cheeses. Pay with cash (only) and head home to enjoy my favorite sandwich in Manhattan. Lucky for me, I happen to live within a block of Faicco’s, though I can neither confirm nor deny if that is a coincidence or not.

As an aside, the chicken cutlet, mozzarella, and pesto sandwich is also pretty great,  but you truthfully can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Faicco’s is an institution and perfect for my first Sandwich Series post.

Summary:

• Rating: 4/4 Stars
• Pricing: $
• Food: Italian
• Dress Code: n/a
• Neighborhood: West Village
• Website: None, but there is a Yelp listing  
• Instagram: @faiccosnyc

Rating System Guidelines:
4 Stars: outstanding, cannot wait to return
3 Stars: great, would be happy to return
2 Stars: good, though not necessary to seek out
1 Star: forgettable, ought to dine elsewhere

My rating is meant to account for not just the quality of the meal and experience, but also the value, without favoring the ultra expensive. In other words, a high-end restaurant (e.g. Del Posto) and a casual eatery (e.g. BaoHaus) can both receive 4/4 stars, even though they are extremely different atmospheres and the former is clearly “nicer.”