My first job ever was working at a hoagie shop (hoagie = South Jersey speak for sub) the summer after my senior year. It was the first time I got a paycheck, the first time I got tips and the first time I had some sort of uniform. (It was a navy blue shirt embroidered with the sub shop’s name.)
In my mind, it’s still one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. Not only did I get a free sandwich each day and enough Iced Tea to give me a quick cavity, but it was also one of those places where the same people came in every day with the same order. Where everybody knows your name…
We have a spot like this in Nolita called Parisi Bakery, a neighborhood staple that has been around for more than 100 years!
\{Smoked mozzarella sub on a whole wheat roll}
If you’re going to go vegetarian, just know that a cheese sub or eggplant parm is what you’re going to get. I personally loved smoked mozzarella so I’m perfectly happy topping that with lettuce, tomatoes, sweet/red/hot peppers and condiments.
Want some meat? Well, they have something for you, friend:
{Meatball sub on a sesame roll}
Blasphemy or not, I find most sandwiches in New York City to be terrible. I honestly don’t understand why places like Katz’s Deli and Carnegie Deli are so famous. To me, Jersey has the best hoagies.
BUT, I was super impressed with Parisi. They’re huge, they’re delicious, they’re bready — they’re amazing! Take that from a former hoagie maker.
Parisi Bakery
198 Mott St. (between Spring and Kenmare)
212.226.6378
6 to Spring St.
B, D, F, M to Broadway-Lafayette