(Video by Jessica Leibowitz/Gothamist)
Last week we dropped by Alidoro's midtown outpost, at 39th Street and Madison, to see how the sandwiches get made. Because... have you tried one? They are hands-down the best sandwich in New York City, and beyond.
The shop originally opened as Melampo in 1986 on Sullivan Street in SoHo. It was there that the current man behind the magic, Walter Momentè, studied as an apprentice under the original owner. Momentè, a Venice, Italy native, took over the shop in 2001, and has owned and operated it since. On the business and building end, he's got co-owners Tommy Polihronopoylos and Jon Streep making things happen, allowing him to put 100% passion into the sandwiches.
There are about 40 different options on the menu (ranging from vegetarian to very, very not vegetarian) stuffed with the freshest ingredients and offered on a selection of breads (most are scooped in preparation!). Momentè pours the same amount of passion into coming up with new sandwiches as he does into assembling them, which you'll see in the video above—but he also sources and makes all of the ingredients, hand-picking and purchasing items like fresh mozzarella every morning on his way in.
We're told his "careful attention to detail goes all the way back to his childhood in Italy, where he was brought up making pizzas and other Italian dishes in his parents' restaurant, pizzeria, and supermarket." During our visit Momentè told us he eats about an average of 300 sandwiches a year, and he credits these fresh ingredients for keeping him at a healthy weight despite that high number.
The classic Italian hero, called the Pinocchio
This second location on 39th Street opened last year, and both spots are extremely popular—if you go around lunchtime you'll find it packed, but their offerings are worth any wait you're faced with—for around $9 to $15, you can get a sandwich that will last you through two meals. Check out their menu here, which now features special hot sandwiches.
