Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop - New York, NY

Posted by Michael Stern on February 20, 2009

We used to adore Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop, and frequently directed people to it for the best tuna salad and egg salad sandwiches in town. In our opinion, this hole in the wall on Fifth Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Streets was an only-in-New York experience.

It still is the quintessential New York sandwich shop, but it is our belief that the food is not what it used to be. On a recent visit, the tuna and egg salad sandwiches, once the perfect fork-blended melange with plenty of mayo -- but not too much -- seemed more pulverized than mixed. The meat loaf on a hot meat loaf plate was pretty darn good, but the mashed potatoes that came alongside were watery. An egg cream was fine, but the lemonade was an insipid mix.

Maybe it was a bad day. Maybe we should have ordered chopped liver or hot pastrami or a Reuben sandwich. We WILL be back, that's for sure. Because even if the food has slipped, the place is a delight. It seems unchanged for decades, a ridiculously skinny space with tiny two-top tables along one wall and stools positioned so close to the counter that anyone over 5'2" tall will be playing kneesies with the knee guard.

Service is swift and sassy, by countermen who are experts at selling the famous sandwiches and who seemed genuinely upset when we didn't finish all our mashed potatoes.

Overall: Worth a major detour

17 out of 18 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

Reviewers "Must Eats" List

Tuna Salad Sandwich ($5.00)

Hot Meat Loaf ($6.00)

Egg Salad Sandwich ($4.00)

Egg Cream ($1.00)

"A plate of salami and eggs is finished with home fries and rye toast, making this one justly greasy and comforting breakfast on a Saturday morning."
billyboy

"Hot meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy is the lunch special every Tuesday and Thursday. The loaf, which the menu boasts is made from Eisenberg's original recipe, tastes good. The potatoes, in the background, couldn't be flatter."
Michael Stern

"A nice stack of juicy, garlicky fried salami on a crusty roll. Cheese too. Excellent stuff."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Eisenberg has long been known for its tuna salad sandwich. This one was well-built on good rye and generously apportioned, but the tuna salad itself did not sparkle."
Michael Stern

"We ordered potato salad with our sandwiches. When it hadn't arrived, we reminded our waiter, who quickly scooped a mugful for us. No charge. Regular commercial potato salad, but there was something about this service style that we enjoyed..."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"I think I'll have to make another trip for the meatloaf special."
billyboy

"Our very friendly waiter saw us taking pictures of our food and insisted he pose for a shot."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The counter is a great place to chow down on some tasty food and engage in interesting conversation with Kenny (in the red hat, weekends only)."
billyboy

"Eisenberg's lunch barely has room to walk between the tables along the wall and the long counter with stools. This photo was taken about 10:30am. By noon, every seat was occupied."
Michael Stern

"At least they're honest."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Eisenberg's is a classic old NYC sandwich shop."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"A destination sandwich shop for three-quarters of a century"
Michael Stern