Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop

When Bo and I found ourselves in need of some lunch on the Lower East Side the other day, our first thought was: sticky toffee pudding at Schiller's! Cooler heads prevailed, however, and we decided on a couple of the amazing creations at Tiny's, a Rivington Street institution (since '99) which makes some of the best sandwiches in town.

The key to a great sandwich, of course, lies in the balance of your ingredients, and Tiny's nails it just about every time. On this day we both went for hot and meaty, but there are 25 varieties to choose from, with plenty of options for vegetarians. Anyway, Bo ordered the $5-sized (on a round roll, instead of a hero) Hot Roast Beef with sauteed onions, melted provolone, and portobello mushrooms. Earthy, juicy and rich without being overwhelming, this was a perfectly executed sandwich. I went for the $7.25 hero-sized Buffalo Chicken: a breaded chicken cutlet drenched in vinegary Red Devil hot sauce and topped with lettuce, tomato and blue cheese dressing. The chicken was moist and meaty, the veggies fresh, the two sauces working beautifully together. Both of our sandwiches were served on just-baked, toasted sesame semolina, which more than held its own in the face of these full-flavored fillings.

Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop is located on the southwest corner of Rivington and Norfolk Streets. There's no signage outside, but that's the place. They serve their sandwiches—and, sometimes, soups—from noon to 10:00 every day.