Chop that Cheese

One bite of my delicious sandwich, and I’m transported back to that summer night in 2013 in Manhattan. My cousin—let’s call her Carrie—took me to her friend’s birthday party at a luxurious bar called The Gold Bar. I’m not sure if it still exists, but I remember a wall covered in golden skulls. It was the perfect selfie background. Unfortunately, the gold and the camera flash didn’t mix well, and I struggled to keep my eyes open for the picture. No good photo to show for it.

Anyway… After the party came the afterparty. We hopped into a yellow cab and headed to an apartment near the 59th Street station. I’ll never forget that place. It was high up with a breathtaking view of Central Park.I don’t know about you, but for me, the best part of any party is the food that follows. The taste, the texture, the sheer appreciation—it just hits differently. I remember one of the guys walking in with two white plastic bags filled with food. Out came a few bags of fries and sandwiches chopped into pieces. I went straight for the sandwich, took a bite, and was blown away. It was unlike anything I’d ever had: sliced meat, melted cheese that seemed glued to the bread, all on what looked like a pressed baguette, with fries on the side. Some people in the room were high on “Uncle’s pancake powder” (if you know, you know), but I was high on this incredible sandwich. I never asked what it was called, but I was convinced for years that it was a Philly cheesesteak. Fast-forward 10 years. I came back to NYC and ordered a Philly cheesesteak. One bite, and I knew immediately… This wasn’t it. Not even close. But hey, maybe I was just really hungry that night in 2013, or maybe every shop makes it differently. After a few months of living here, exploring, and diving into the city’s stories, I stumbled across a tale about a sandwich created in 1998 at a bodega in Spanish Harlem. It was described as a New York classic that everyone should try. Made with grilled ground beef, onions, adobo, seasonings, and cheese on a hero roll. Suddenly, it all clicked. Of course, I had to try it to see if it was the same sandwich I’d had in 2013. I made my way to the famous Hajji’s Deli—now known as Chopped Cheese Delicious—on 110th and 1st Ave. I walked in, placed my order, and waited alongside the regulars. While waiting, someone came in and greeted the staff: “What’s up, Frankie!” Frankie is said to be the creator of this iconic New York sandwich (though there’s some debate about its origin—some say it was created in the Bronx, while others claim it was inspired by a similar Yemeni sandwich).

All I cared about was getting home to eat it.

One crunchy bite, and I knew without a doubt...It took me 10 years to figure out that the sandwich I had back in 2013 wasn’t a Philly cheesesteak at all. It was the legendary New York classic: chopped cheese.