Midtown Lunch

If there’s one place in Soho that’s always on everyone’s list to check out, it’s Italian sandwich shop Alidoro on Sullivan St. (btw. Spring & Prince). I am not a big sandwich person and no one really told me just why this place was so awesome. Was it the bread, the ingredients, what?!? After seeing it listed in a Downtown Lunch’er profile and then another, (and finding out even Zach has eaten there) I took the train up there (and really I should probably take advantage of this before they make good on the talk of getting rid of unlimited-ride Metro cards). Bread, meat and cheese after the jump.

The inside reminded me a little bit of Torrisi Italian Specialties, except with an Italian guy named Walter running the place, bantering with customers and making sandwiches all at the same time. It’s almost like you get a little show with your lunch, as I did when a couple of hipsters asked a few too many questions about a plate of free cookies sitting on the counter and got a very sarcastic response from the woman who was taking orders.

The menu is a long one and I would suggest looking at it online before going because I get the feeling they don’t take too kindly to indecision. I had narrowed my choices down to a couple but ultimately ended up getting the Romeo, which was ranked No. 8 out of the top 101 sandwiches in the city, on semolina bread ($10.75).

You can get the sandwiches on standard white baguette-type bread, or pay an extra 50 cents to $1.50 for more interesting varieties.

Nearly all of the sandwiches are $10 and above unless you want to keep it simple with either a vegetarian selection or one with a meat and fresh mozzarella. I decided I might as well go for the gold since I’d gone all the way up here. Plus, these sandwiches are humongous and could easily supply two meals or be split with someone.

The Romeo has thinly sliced roast chicken, eggplant caponata and arugula, with some bel paese cheese spread on the top piece of bread. There was no toasting of the bread, no mayo (don’t even ask for that, or fear for your life) and I saw the chicken being sliced. It was so good I’m glad there are two stops on the train between me and this place.

It was really stuffed with ingredients, which made for some messy bench eating, but it’s nothing I haven’t encountered in my lunching.

When I got there a little before 1 p.m. there were maybe five people in line, but when I left people were snaking out onto the sidewalk. I’m not quite sure I’m converted into a sandwich lover yet, but eating here was a good start.

And in case you thought I was kidding about the “rules” this place has, take a look at the list posted by the counter.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• The sandwiches are painstakingly made and gigantic.
• You get a little bit of a show every time you go there, everytime someone asks for anything.

THE — (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• There’s a lot of attitude flying around, and if you say the wrong thing, it might hit you.
• Yes, the sandwiches are big and delicious, but almost all of them are more than $10.

Alidoro, 105 Sullivan St. (btw. Spring & Prince), (212) 334-5179