Peanut Butter & Co.

240 Sullivan Street, New York, NY - (212) 677-3995

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Posted By Bill Homan on 2/13/2009 10:53:00 AM

The man who started Peanut Butter & Co. in 1998, Lee Zalben, has a real passion for peanut butter and it shows in his menu and the line of peanut butters he has created. Upon entering the shop, admire the yellow walls covered with framed prints of classic peanut butter ads, and especially a really neat Norman Rockwell print with two kids sharing a jar of Skippy.

The "Elvis" sandwich is a grilled (on buttered white bread) peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich; bacon is an extra dollar. It comes with a bag of chips and a couple of carrot sticks. A glass of skim milk to wash it down will make your meal complete. I really, really love this sandwich. In the Peanut Butter & Co. cookbook (yes, there is one) Mr. Zalben relates the story of the "Fool's Gold Loaf" that Elvis Presley had made for him and this sandwich is basically a riff on that. At turns warm, crispy, chewy, gooey, salty and sweet, the "Elvis" is one very comforting sandwich. Add the chips, carrot sticks and milk and it all reminds me of the lunches my mom would pack for me to take to school.

Of special note is a sandwich named The Heat Is On: spicy peanut butter, chilled grilled chicken, and pineapple jam. Spicy and sweet, it's like an Asian satay in sandwich form. A real winner is the "Death By Peanut Butter" sundae: vanilla ice cream, peanut butter Cap'n Crunch cereal, Smooth Operator PB, PB chips, Reese's Pieces, PB sauce, and whipped cream. It is a peanut butter lover's dream!

Peanut Butter & Co. is a nice little shop. I've sat there many times enjoying my sandwich and my paper. In a city where a lot of restaurants and shops are constantly closing (especially those with a singular theme), it's refreshing to see one I enjoy so much thriving after almost 10 years. Hail to the King (of peanut butter), baby!

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"The Death by Peanut Butter sundae: be prepared to receive many unbelieving stares as I did when tackling this tempting titan of rich, indulgent goodness."
Bill Homan

"Dark chocolate peanut butter, cherry jam, and shredded coconut make for an amazing marriage of Black Forest meets peanut butter."
Bill Homan

"A perfect lunch: an "Elvis" sandwich, carrot sticks, chips and a skim milk."
Bill Homan

"A special of the week, the fragrant and nicely spiced pumpkin butter dances gracefully with the crunchy PB."
Bill Homan

"They come six different ways: white chocolate, dark chocolate, smooth, spicy, cinnamon-raisin or crunchy."
Bill Homan

"Peanut butter, vanilla cream cheese, and chocolate chips make for one inspired lunch."
Bill Homan

"I haven't tried these yet, but I bet they would satisfy those late night munchies."
Bill Homan

"There are some options for those not of the peanut butter bent, and lots of decadent desserts."
Bill Homan

"The walls are filled with classic ads for peanut butter, including the Norman Rockwell in the upper right corner. "
Bill Homan

"This was framed on the wall and I couldn't resist taking a shot of it."
Bill Homan

"A Greenwich Village favorite for over 10 years."
Bill Homan