Lunch Break: Druze Food, Sandwiches, And Whiz Wit'

Explore Druze food, cheesesteaks in NYC, and one of the best Italian sandwiches you'll ever experience in today's New York Lunch Break. By Yvo Sin.

Gazala

709 9th Ave
New York, NY 10019
(212) 245-0709
gazalaplace.com

Gazala's Place is one of two restaurants in NYC focused on Druze cuisine; an ethnic minority found in the Middle East whose food is heavily influenced by the area. Don't be surprised to recognize different dishes on the menu from other cuisines in the region, such as the bourekas (pictured). Try one stuffed with spinach and lebanee, a homemade goat cheese; you won't regret it. All of the bourekas are baked daily, making them a real treat. The pita is also made in house daily.

Faicco's Italian Specialties

260 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10014
(212) 243-1974

There is only one thing you need to know about Faicco's Italian Specialties: the Italian special is the one you want. Don't think twice about it, just tell the counterman your order, step back, let the man work while you marvel at the quick dance of sandwich seduction happening before your eyes. First, a long loaf of bread is sliced open, fluffy innards quickly dispatched; cured meat after cured meat thinly shaved directly into the sandwich as your mouth begins to water; and the cheeses, peppers, dressing, everything, added so deftly if you blink you might miss a step. Hold your wrapped sandwich in your hands, try not to quiver with excitement as you take your first bite of sandwich bliss.

Carl's Steaks

79 Chambers St
New York, NY 10079
(212) 566-2828

507 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 696-5336
carlsteaks.com

Though Philadelphia cheesesteaks hail from the city of brotherly love, New York has found in Carl's an excellent version - almost, experts say, as good as any you'd find in Philadelphia itself. Just the right type of bread - not too fluffy, not too chewy, just right - spread with Cheez Whiz (scoff if you will, but it's not a cheesesteak unless it's Whiz wit'; that's cheesteak-speak for with onions and Cheez Whiz), layered with chopped up, thin slices of steak, and then topped with grilled onions... Carl's does it right. There is hardly a greater earthly pleasure than these flavors all meeting for a party... on its way to your stomach. Yum!

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Yvo Sin is the founder and head writer of The Feisty Foodie.