Who Wants A Chop Cheese?
Time to explore some of New York’s greatest “hand held” food!
This “chop cheese” is a NY neighborhood favorite, named because of the “chop chop” sound as it is cooked – and it is delicious! Take a listen:
After chopping the beef on the grill, adding onions, peppers and more, the cook takes the bun over, adds the meat and cheese, and serves it back to you like this!
A “chop cheese” is a working person’s sandwich: inexpensive and filling.
The first chopped cheese was made roughly 25 years ago at Hajji’s Deli (which does business as Blue Sky Deli) at the corner of 1st Avenue and East 110th Street:
The “Original” Chop Cheese!
This is the original “chop cheese” sandwich. Here’s how The New York Times described it:
“The sandwich, also called a chop cheese — ground beef with onions, topped by melted cheese and served with lettuce, tomatoes and condiments on a hero roll — has long been a staple of bodegas in Harlem and the Bronx.“
I knew I had to go to the source, so time to head to East Harlem!
Welcome To The Central Park Reservoir!
I was excited to take on a long long walk to get my chop cheese. I started at the south end of Central Park and walked five miles to get to my final destination – but how can you complain when this is your view?
Oh, and they had a funny sign too – but I wasn’t passive, I was headed for a chop cheese!
I walked halfway around the reservoir on my way north and east through the park – it’s an incredible experience – take a look:
After walking along the reservoir, I veered north through this incredible park – an exhilarating experience.
I left the northeast end of the Central Park at 110th street – and then I walked into East Harlem:
Just a few blocks east, I arrived at the Blue Sky bodega, home to the first ever “chop cheese!” As I said, Hajji’s Deli (which does business as Blue Sky Deli) at the corner of 1st Avenue and East 110th Street is where the “chop cheese” originated – and I was there:
By the way, here’s what a “bodega” is – as described by google:
“A bodega is a small corner store or market that sells groceries and wine. Many bodegas are located in Spanish-speaking neighborhoods of large cities. If you visit New York City, you’ll see bodegas, little shops where people buy groceries and small items.”
Here’s what it looks like inside:
As you can see, lots of candy down low for the kids, and behind the counter there is everything from mini-cigars, cigarettes, condoms and more!
And tucked away in the corner is one person and a flat hot griddle, where this cook makes magic all day long!
The cook is hidden behind this deli counter, where the menu for sandwiches shows what you can order on your chopped cheese:
A Wild Way To Order!
A cashier behind the counter took orders from a dozen of us all at once – he asked what sandwich you wanted – and what you wanted on it – but here’s is what is wild:
The cashier took the order this way – scrawling letters on a short piece of a cigarette carton…here is what I ordered: a chop cheese “C” on a roll “R” with tomato “T” and onion “O” with pickle “P” but no jalapeno peppers so the “J” is crossed out!
Ten minutes later, I had a sandwich!
While I ordered a roll I got it on a hoagie bun, but no matter: it was hot, juicy and delicious!
The bread had a crunchy exterior and a soft, chewy interior – and the sandwich itself was full of flavor!
This has a well-deserved reputation as the meal for workers who need energy, nutrition and great flavor as well as great value – which it is!
Of course, once was not enough, so I walked up into Harlem north of Central Park a month later:
Yes, this is also listed as one of the city’s best “chop cheese” sandwiches, and you can see my review by clicking here:
There are so many incredible restaurants in Harlem, including one where they sing while you eat!
This incredible Sunday brunch is always packed – and you get terrific food and music like this as well…see more video and what we ate here:
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Let me know what you think of my “chop cheese”sandwich journey!
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Categories: Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Chef memoirs, Eat This!, Fast Food, Food, Food Travel, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
Looks so delicious!
Note to self. Eat lunch before reading “Bite! Eat! Repeat!” Looks very tasty. 😎😎 😎
Looks tasty!
Thank you! It’s terrific, and the history of it in this city is what makes it special!
Oh, methinks there is a lot more to this story than just a sandwich enjoyed . . . 🙂 !
this sounds delish!
Another one I have never had, but would be happy to try.
Best wishes, Pete.
I think you’d like it Pete…not unusual except for the way it is made and the cultural significance as well…