Chop, Chop: Secrets of the Chopped Sandwich

The bodega is a fixture of New York City life. A convenient place to pick up just about anything at any hour of the day, these beloved neighborhood corner stores also offer made-to-order sandwiches, cold or hot off the griddle, that are inexpensive, filling and above all, easy to grab and go.

One of the most famous bodega cheap eats is the Chopped Cheese Sandwich. Legend has it that this hot sandwich originated at the Blue Sky Deli, a bodega in East Harlem, sometime in the 1990s. It remained a well-kept secret for years, until locals began proclaiming their love for the Chopped Cheese Sandwich in pop culture and social media — inspiring people outside of New York to want to try this bodega classic for themselves.

Luckily, the Chopped Cheese Sandwich is easy to make at home — no trip to NYC required! Ground beef, onions and american cheese (and yes, it has to be american cheese) are cooked and chopped together right in the pan before being stuffed into a sub roll with lettuce and tomato. By chopping the beef, onions and cheese together while cooking, the ingredients meld, creating a perfectly gooey, cheesy bite.

The concept of the chopped sandwich has taken off lately — especially on social media, where a variety of hot and cold sandwiches have taken the internet by storm. One such example is the Chopped Italian Sandwich, which mixes the ingredients together instead of arranging in layers like a classic sandwich. The result: a perfect marriage of flavors and textures.

Ready to try the chopped sandwich trend in your kitchen? Let’s get chopping!

Classic Chopped Cheese Sandwich

This deliciously simple sandwich combines savory flavors with a bit of spice for an irresistible bite.

Chopped Tuna Niçoise Sandwich

Escape to the French Riviera with a delicious spin on this flavorful salad-turned-sandwich.

Chopped Italian Sandwich

Layers of meat, cheese and veggies come together for this fresh, Italian twist on the classic chopped sandwich.