Why Come Here? Phenomenal inventive sandwiches, quick lunch in the West Village, show off your knowledge of hidden spots
Better Being Underground (“BBU”) is the kind of place you’d never find if you weren’t looking for it. In fact, I probably walked past it 50 times before a friend told me there was a great sandwich place there. The only signage leading to the door, which is under a set of stairs leading to a townhouse, is a subway-style sign that says “Better Being Underground” and points down the stairs to the screen door entrance.
The casualness doesn’t stop there (the only thing they take seriously here is the food). The space looks like you wandered into an industrial kitchen (apparently it’s related to a catering company). The menu changes daily, prices are only available on a blackboard behind the counter and items generally sell out through the day and are subsequently crossed off. The menu is posted daily on their blog: http://betterbeingunderground.wordpress.com so get there early if you see a new sandwich you really want to try. It’s only open Monday-Friday, from 12-3.
I haven’t tried any of the soups or sides, but the sandwiches – while pricey for a casual spot – are phenomenal, inventive and use top notch ingredients. They also are served with your choice of chips or apple and a very refreshing pickle. Below is a list of what I’ve had so far, but I’ll be coming here often so check my DishEnvy page for updates.
Crispy and moist fried chicken, tangy pickles on a buttery brioche. I go with the chipotle sauce, which is smokey but not too spicy.
Kale Salad For some reason salads are denied playful names here, but I love how the butternut squash counters some of the bitterness of the brussels sprouts and kale in this one. It’s a great mix of flavors, even if it’s a little pricey at $10.50.
The Fu Man Chew Moist and flavorful chicken gets a very nice kick from the kimchi slaw.
The Nuyorican It’s spicy and a little sweet plus I love everything with avocado on it. A great lighter standby at BBU.
The Is-What-It-Is-Which The blue cheese has just the right amount of salty bitterness to offset the apples and cranberries in the chicken salad. You need to try this.
Better Being Underground
55 Leroy Street, Basement (b/w 7th Ave. & Hudson St.)
New York, NY
