Dining Review: For The Love Of A Killer Bodega Sandwich, 5th Ave. Market Delivers The Goods

The sandwich man behind the counter gave me a dumb-founded look. I had to check if I had three heads.

“I hear you make some amazing sandwiches,” I said to him.

“From where?” he asked.

“The Infatuation said you guys are ‘sandwich artists,'” I answered.

(I actually don’t like that term because it’s often affiliated with Subway shops, and the smell of those places do a number on me.)

“I never heard of that,” said the gentleman behind the counter. He wasn’t impressed.

Indeed, The Infatuation listed 5th Ave. Market on “Park Slope’s Best Places To Eat & Drink” — along with Miriam, Bricolage, and many others.

I had a feeling it was time to order a sandwich to see for myself. According to The Infatuation, 5th Ave. Market is “the best bodega in all the land.”

Now those are impressive words, considering we’re in Brooklyn.

With about 50 items available on their menu, I had some trouble making a decision. Many of the sandwich names give me great pleasure:

221. Buster Brown Wrap: hot roast beef, onions, bacon, cheddar cheese, jalapeño and spicy mayo.

604. Godfather Sandwich: cappy ham, salami, pepperoni, capocollo, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, roasted peppers and oil and vinegar on a hero.

605. Godfather 2 Sandwich: prosciutto, cappy ham, soppressata, salami, fresh mozzarella cheese, lettuce, jalapeños and oil and vinegar on a hero.

[Godfather 3 was left out, and rightly so.]

606. Super Chick Sandwich: sliced chicken breast, melted cheddar cheese and roasted peppers on a roll.

609. Da Gooch Sandwich: grilled chicken, tomato and fresh mozzarella cheese on a hero.

612. Badda Bing Sandwich: hot roast beef, onions, melted cheddar cheese and jalapeños on a toasted hero.

617. Cha Cha Cha Sandwich: pepper turkey, pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato on rye bread.

I was in a roasted peppers kind of mood, so the Super Chick ($5.50) called out to me.

Oh, it was messy.
Oh, it was gooey.
Oh, it was comfy.
Oh, it was tasty.
Oh, I was a lucky dog.

Now we’re at a bodega, gentle readers. The aisles are packed with a lot of good items. And this former New Orleans resident was in heaven.

The Zapps Potato Chips are plentiful. And, I know, I’ve written about my Zapps fetish before. But they simply never get old.

The trick is to put the Zapps in the sandwich. It’s not a 5th Ave. Market tradition, but they do possess the means to accomplish it by stocking good inventory. In life, you simply need the right tools.

And the Abita root beer adds to the Louisiana accoutrements.

Now for the issue of seating. Where can you enjoy your hot and tasty sandwich if you’re not taking it home with you?

If you can wait, head down to the Street Seats in front of SkyIce Sweet & Savory (63 5th Avenue at corner of St. Marks Avenue). Or find a friendly stoop. Or invent your own option.

5th Ave. Market is open 24 hours a day, so this may become your go-to for a 3:00am snack. And you don’t have to be sauced to enjoy them. These are good sandwiches.

This bodega (and it’s a good looking one) most likely won’t champion their own sandwiches. But we don’t spend enough time touting these gems of the neighborhood. So we’ll sing their praises for them.

Dig in.

The Dining Rundown: 5th Ave. Market
Where: 185 5th Avenue (at Berkeley Place)
Hours: 24 Hours, 7 days a week.
Phone: 646-844-9045