Kevin A.
Yelp
So here's the funny thing: I've avoided coming to Chopped Cheese because I missed the deli that used to occupy the space and am pretty loyal to Boo's Philadelphia Cheese Steaks just a few miles away. But I was at home hankering for a sandwich, something different than my Subway, Jersey Mike's, or Boo's and it came to mind as it's close by...
I get the larger hero sized Chopped Chicken w everything it comes with, pay what amounts to $20+ w tax and a 20% tip, sit down and wait while the strong worker with the kind face and smile "Esperanza" gets to it. About five minutes later, I get what you see in the photos: a hunky chopped chicken looking thing resembling a Philly cheese steak-- but not. The owner portends to hail from New York and these? They are "New York Cheese Steak Sandwiches." Okay, let 'er rip...
Separating the halves, it steams up and just looks right. Looks great. It's perfectly assembled and I'm getting a waft of Mexican spices oddly... when I ask what that all is, Esperanza explains its adobo and other seasonings. "Cool," I think to myself...
I embark on eating it and it's a wholesome meal in a nicely soft loaf, the textures all work together and - yes - it is wholly different from my beloved Boo's Philly sandos. It's certainly very tasty. Satisfying. I'm a fan. I particularly like the harmony here of the seasoned meat and the also well chopped lettuce, how you have to chew through the spongey bread to get into the ooey-gooey goodness of the meat, etc.
I leave, get in my car and I debate internally as to whether to give the place four or five stars when I open up Yelp and see someone just posted a negative one star review here 2 hours ago!! What the f#ck?! That girl kvetches her smaller sandwich - the cheaper one on the bun - was not enough food for her and proceeds to slam this nice place. It makes me mad, so I decided to clean my pictures immediately and post them up with a review right away to counteract her vindictive review: The Chopped Cheese is no one star place. The quality is there. The attention to detail was exhibited. The service - Esperanza the trooper! - was perfect. And the sandwich I inhaled? Excellent.
So there you have it. I might have leaned towards a four star review had I not seen the one by Miss Uppity-Ass "Ariana C" and maybe I would have griped that I do think it's a tad pricey, or that I was stunned I could not get a cup of iced tap water to go with my meal, but I'm not petty and a jerk like that last reviewer. Overall, I liked the experience, enjoyed the unique product this gentleman from the great NYC is making and proudly putting forth, and I will return...