Melampo and Manganaro

[jogoode]

I finally made it to Melampo, on a quiet block on Sullivan Street, last week. I had such a simple, wonderful sandwich: just mozzarella, capicolla and arugula with Melampo's awesome vinaigrette on crusty semolina.

I'll certainly be back to Melampo, but I overheard a customer, a regular, praise the sandwiches at Manganaro, in Hell's Kitchen. Manganaro is near my office, but I don't want to make the trip without someone else's recommendation. I did a search on eGullet and found only mentions of the place. Anyone?

[Fat Guy]

Totally not in the same league. Maybe Manganaro was great at some point, but the two times I've been there in the 21st Century it has offered only ultra-salty, mediocre sandwiches. They'd be the best sandwiches in many cities, but they're not even on the radar for me by New York standards. Melampo, on the other hand, produces a true artisanal sandwich -- Alessandro was even an inspiration, I think, for Tom Colicchio's 'wichcraft.

[jogoode]

Overly salty, that's very bad.

How was the bread?

[Fat Guy]

Pretty good, definitely not that un-crusty crap most places are using these days.

Did Ed Levine say anything about Manganaro in his deli sandwiches piece in the Times? I can't remember.

[slkinsey]

JJ, are you talking about Manganaro's Hero-Boy or Manganaro Grosseria Italiana? As you may know, these are adjoining businesses owned by two brothers who have not spoken in decades folowing some kind of schism. From what I hear, the grosseria makes a much better sandwich.

[jogoode]

As long as the bread's good, I'll give it a shot and try hard to compose a sandwich that's not too salty.

I don't think Levine mentioned it. But I can't get to the NY Times article because it has become pay only. We need to make a list on eGullet of his recommendations for bagels, heroes, ice cream, etc. An "Ed Levine recommends" thread.

Heroes that I can remember

Brooklyn Bread

Caputo's

Melampo

Mike's Deli

That place in Queens that looked awesome

Salumeria Biellese (though the good stuff might only be accessible to those in the know -- and not me)

[jogoode]

JJ, are you talking about Manganaro's Hero-Boy or Manganaro Grosseria Italiana? As you may know, these are adjoining businesses owned by two brothers who have not spoken in decades folowing some kind of schism. From what I hear, the grosseria makes a much better sandwich.

I didn't know that! I thought the hero-boy part was the main shop's sandwich offshoot. Now I have to do some comparing, huh?

[nicolekaplan]

MELAMPO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jogoode]

MELAMPO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicole,

Do you have a favorite Melampo sandwich? Or any tips -- best bread, extra vinaigrette -- for my next trip? I've only had the Fellini on semolina.

[Fat Guy]

I'll give you a tip: don't ask for extra anything, or try to change the sandwiches in any way. If you try, Alessandro may kick you out of the store.

[Jason Perlow]

I think the various sandwiches at Mike's Deli in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market blow Manganaro away, but that's me. I can't speak for Melampo since I have never been, but the proof is in how good their salumi purveyors are and what bread they are using. Unless we're talking about stuff like Chicken Parms, Sausage and Peppers, and Meatballs, in which its a level playing field.

The "Yankee Stadium" at Mike's. I rest my case.

[woodburner]

If they could put that picture on a female's chest, it would be the perfect woman.

Everytime you post that, I start to shake.

woodburner

[Fat Guy]

The sandwiches at Mike's are far better than those at Manganaro. They're probably the best of that genre. But Melampo makes a different species of sandwich: not the overstuffed, many-meat orgies served at Mike's but, rather, something much more minimalistic and, in my opinion, elegant. Each Melampo sandwich contains just a few carefully chosen ingredients in considered ratios -- they are compositions, the best of their kind that I've tried.

[kinichiwa]

Is Mike's deli open on Sundays. I had that exact sandwich after an opening day game at Yankee Stadium...oh my god.

Melampo is a good food moment... you just trust and order off the list and all is right with the world.

Manganaro Groceria is a good sandwich and it would pay to compare the two brothers.

but oh that mikes...I wish I was there right now...

[Jason Perlow]

Kinichiwa: your wish is my command (click here)

[kinichiwa]

i saw the Fat Guy's post and would really agree about how those sandwiches are filled. the Melampo is so Italian...and Mike's is so italian-American. My geat grandmother would do it all so simply and my aunt was another story all together. God forbid she didn't use everything.

[kinichiwa]

Jason - Thanks so much. I am new to the site and I am amazed at the info and links you all have taken the time to do. I love Arthur Avenue and I really love those pictures. Thank you

[woodburner]

Kinichiwa: your wish is my command (click here)

woodburner

[jogoode]

I'll give you a tip: don't ask for extra anything, or try to change the sandwiches in any way. If you try, Alessandro may kick you out of the store.

I think I ordered my sandwich from Alessandro's son, who I've heard took over the sandwich dispensing duties. I was asked to pick my bread and heard some other people requesting extra vinaigrette. He was not at all dictatorial.

[jogoode]

I think the various sandwiches at Mike's Deli in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market blow Manganaro away, but that's me. I can't speak for Melampo since I have never been, but the proof is in how good their salumi purveyors are and what bread they are using. Unless we're talking about stuff like Chicken Parms, Sausage and Peppers, and Meatballs, in which its a level playing field.

The "Yankee Stadium" at Mike's. I rest my case.

I think it took me less than a day after seeing your post about the Yankee Stadium to go get one myself. Your opinions have that kind of power over me, Jason. It was an incredible sandwich, a different concept entirely, as FG said, from sandwiches at Melampo.

I thought Manganaro might supply a sandwich fix while I'm at work, in Midtown, but maybe I should just figure out a way to safely transport one from Mike's.

[FatTony]

My two cents: Melampo sandwiches are the best on the face of the earth. The Fellini on fabulous focaccia with pillows of fresh mozzarella, the saltiest, tastiest proscuitto di parma, peppery rocket and Alessandro's perfect, vinegary peppers: sandwich nirvana. I've never been able to order another in case it wasn't as good

[Pan]

Where are these places?

[kurl]

Ditto to Pan's question.

Also, which are open on Sundays? You guys got me hungry.

[nicolekaplan]

the pinocchio, on semolina is my fave

and don't mess with the combos. i've tried before only to say to myself , i should have just left things alone, plus it cost me more to mess my sandwich up

don't forget a bottle of limonata and the yummy little treat he always tucks inside your bag.

[jogoode]

My two cents: Melampo sandwiches are the best on the face of the earth. The Fellini on fabulous focaccia with pillows of fresh mozzarella, the saltiest, tastiest proscuitto di parma, peppery rocket and Alessandro's perfect, vinegary peppers: sandwich nirvana. I've never been able to order another in case it wasn't as good

The Fellini on focaccia? I'll have to try that, though I thought the semonlina made an excellent match for that sandwich.

Melampo is at 105 Sullivan St.

For Mike's info, see Jason's link several posts ago.