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May 31, 2007

Bergen St: Manwich Alley?

Sub versus cheese stake. The respective Troy and Sparta of sandwiches. On a quiet block of Bergen Street, between Flatbush and 5th Avenue, City Sub and High Stakes Cheese Stakes live this battle every day. And on a certain recent afternoon, this battle took place inside my belly. Who would win?

City Sub was up first. The menu featured all the players in the Pantheon of Deli Meats, and I chose the pastrami with provolone ($5.99). Everything was done with an impressive amount of care, from slicing the meat to toasting the seeded bread to lovingly arranging the toppings. I got the works, which included lettuce, tomato, onion, peppers, black olives, green olives, pepperoncini, and jalepenos. It was possibly one of the best subs I've ever had.

Indeed, the stakes were high when I crossed the street for my cheese steak. I got the "Full House" ($6.75), grilled steak with cheese, mushrooms, mixed peppers, pickles and onions. In honesty, I couldn't bring myself to order it with cheese wiz and I opted for provolone, in an attempt to equalize the playing field with City Sub. The bread was soft and the meat was nicely cooked, but I found that it was in dire need of some sauce, or at least a little salt. The peppers and onions where scarce, and I'm not totally convinced that any mushrooms or pickles made in there at all. Additionally, the eerie orange-and-gray color scheme inside was a little off-putting, although I did appreciate the counter seating and flat-screen tvs.

Winner: City Sub! No wonder I always see a couple portly cops waiting in line there when I pass.

Posted by Katy at May 31, 2007 10:42 AM