BB Sandwich Bar

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120 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012-1235
New York, NY 10012

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(212) 473-7500
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Food & Dining

Reviews
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Best

They never said this was a philly Cheese steak !!! So I think everyone should stop comparing this sandwich to the Famous Philly one.It's got it NYC twist.It soggy as one should be...

Worst

I wasn't expecting anything like a philly cheesesteak. I wasn't expecting it to be and I do not think that was their intention. I think they just wanted to create a new version of...

It's affordable and its goooood!!! 9/12/2008

They never said this was a philly Cheese steak !!! So I think everyone should stop comparing this sandwich to the Famous Philly one.It's got it NYC twist.It soggy as one should be. And if you can't taste it then you're the only one missing out.Good work for simplicity and excellent job on taking care of the locals especially during a time of a possible recession. Pros: When you walk in you already know what ur there for Cons: No parking but the hydrant outside and it's not down here in Miami Beach :( more
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Not a traditional philly cheese steak, but a... 6/19/2008

Not a traditional philly cheese steak, but a damn tasty one. NYU discount, too. more
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Not a traditional philly cheese steak, but a... 6/18/2008

susan Provided by Partner
Not a traditional philly cheese steak, but a damn tasty one. NYU discount, too. more
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can't taste the steak and cheese! 11/7/2005

I'm from Philly, but I don't really mind that it's not ""authentic"" or since NYC food is all about fusion anyway. If you're going to do some creative poppy seed bun version of the classic cheesesteak, be my guest. My beef here, no pun intended, is that the cheese and the steak part are so grossly neglected! I mostly got a mouthful of onions and hotsauce, and hardly tasted the cheese and steak part. And that is a cardinal sin, because that's basically what a cheesesteak is. Some of the best in Philly don't even need onions to be great, it's all about the bun, the meat, the cheese, and the way they all melt together and drip out the bun and give you a nice warm fuzzy feeling. This is a good value, but go to South Philly, find Cosmi's Deli, order a ""cheesesteak WIDOUT"" and get schooled. Pros: I like the onions, good sauce, good price Cons: can't taste the meat! more
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Not a traditional cheesesteak 4/29/2005

I naievely expected a traditional cheesesteak sandwich, but got one that was smothered in one of the few underknown of Heinz's 57 varieties of tomato variants that is only available in institutional sized cans. It was tangy and sweet, and left a bad aftertaste. The upside is the sandwich was really cheap. Pros: Cheap Cons: Sauce is gross, Variety more
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So good, when freshly made 12/15/2004

If you order your cheesesteak and they have one pre-made, don't get it. It's likely to be crusty and a bit lukewarm. When fresh, it's heavenly bliss on a bun.....melting cheese, spicy ketchup spilling down your chin.....mmmmmmm..... It's even better after you've had a few martinis at the Fat Black Pussycat next door. more
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too salty... 8/1/2004

Intrigued by the idea of a sandwich shop with only one item, I opened the door. I was somewhat hoping for a Philly Cheesesteak, but this version was ok. For $4, the value was right on, but I found the chili sauce/ketchup to be very salty. It ended up masking the other elements of the sandwich. The meat, onions, and cheese were good as was the roll, but I'd go back if I could forego the sauce. Pros: cheap, no confusing menus more
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Overrated, Big Time 9/15/2003

Much hyped steaks will disappoint. A massive quantity of some type of onion soupy mixture is plopped on your Kaiser roll, along with ketchup (ketchup?!?), some spices, a speck of cheese and a a couple slices of beef (Steak-Ums, perhaps?). Hints: Fried onions, BB, use fried onions. You want to enhance the flavor of the beef, not mask it. Also, Kaiser rolls are good for burgers and cold cuts, invest in some real sub (long) rolls. Add some more meat and cheese (for those who request it). Basically, less condiments and more beef! Want a real steak sandwich? Go to the White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City or Pats or Genos in South Philly. BB translates into Big Bummer. Pros: cheap eats, Bleeker St is close, did I mention cheap? Cons: Not a tasty sandwich, only one menu item, not very clean more
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mmmmm 10/5/2002

The sandwich practically melts in your mouth. The second time around, it was just perfect --not soggy as it had before, and just the right combination of spice (chili ketchup) and smooth (American cheese), covered with the famous sauteed onions. The BB sandwich may not be a classic philly cheese steak, and it's too irreverant to become a classic of its own, but it really hits the spot. Pros: value, inexpensive, low-key Cons: ambience more
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Disappointing 9/3/2002

I wasn't expecting anything like a philly cheesesteak. I wasn't expecting it to be and I do not think that was their intention. I think they just wanted to create a new version of a classic. I personally was disappointed in the sandwich. My cheese was not oozing through the steak and bread. By steak was also not chopped up but just in layers on the hard roll. It wasn't very good. The hot pepper sauce was a nice touch though. more
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Totally disappointing 8/24/2002

We'd read the mixed reviews, but we live nearby and just went over to see for ourselves. A place that makes only one item should make it well. This place doesn't. The thin slices of meat are tasteless, overwhelmed by mounds of gloppy, fried onions and a strong (but not good) red sauce with a bit of melted cheese on the totally loser of a roll. Okay, the place has no atmosphere. You place your order and sit at a small table with a can of some beverage. That makes it all the more vital that the sandwich be tasty. This so falls short of the mark. It misses even if you've never had the authentic Philly sandwich. Pros: fast, no decisions Cons: terrible sandwich, no atmosphere, can't compete more
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always good--but OUTSTANDING when fresh 8/21/2002

no, these aren't authentic philly-style cheesesteaks (nor are they meant to be), but they're good nonetheless, especially if you judge them based solely on taste and not on authenticity. when they're freshly-made (a rarity these days, unless you go early), they're incredibly delicious--i ate a bunch of them when the place first opened in march. unfortunately, in recent months the owner has given to making the sandwiches in advance and keep them warm in the oven, which makes them ever-so-slightly soggy...while they're still good, they don't quite have that *oomph* that a freshly-made one does. still, for $4 you can't complain, especially if you throw your authenticity hangups out the window. try coming here before noon--that way, you'll have a better chance of scoring a freshly-made sandwich while beating the lunch rush. Pros: quick and cheap, good and different, amazing when fresh Cons: premade, no substitutions more
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NOT all that 8/7/2002

I saw the lines pile up outside this place about a month after I ate there. My cheesesteak was so dry if you rubbed it together you could probably start a fire. I'm not from Philly, so maybe I just don't get it....but that sandwich just made me regret leaving my diet for the day. I did go based on a friend's recommendation. Pros: Cheap Cons: Food more
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Not Philly but great! 8/6/2002

You want variety? Go else where. What you get for $4 is a tasty, juicy, delicious cheesesteak. Please don't compare to Geno's or Pat's. It's apples and oranges. Pros: Inexpensive, Delicious more
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This is a great sandwich 8/1/2002

Please stop with the Philly Cheesesteak debate. This is a $4 sandwich that is deliscious it has steak, cheese and marinated onions with a spicy sauce. Best priced sandwich in NY. Try one and you will be hooked!!! more
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A Steak -- They Do Not Make! 7/30/2002

Comparisons to the Philly cheesesteak are not the issue with BB Sandwich Bar. The food is pre-made, there is no selection and the sandwich, quite frankly, is nothing to write home about. The fact of the matter is NYC does not have one restaurant serving a decent steak sandwich. As a result, the novelty of BB's product has attracted an undeserved buzz. Unless BB addresses its aforementioned shortcomings, people will eventually see the Sandwich Bar as a mere fad. more
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Missing the point 7/29/2002

So many of the negative reviews about this place seem to be completely missing the point. Obviously, authenticity is not the aim here -- no one is trying to trick anyone into thinking that these sandwiches are representative of true Philadelphia cheese steaks. They're something else altogether and, most importantly, they're good. The space is no-frills, the service is no-frills (but in my experience never less than friendly), and one's dining options are no-frills -- that's clearly how the operation was conceived and that's clearly how it's being handled in practice. I can't help but think that all the naysayers are really pining after something the already excellent BB Sandwich Bar has no intention of being. more
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Trust Me 7/27/2002

Its ridiculous to call these things cheese steaks, and even more so to say that theyre better than cheese steaks. Although I grew-up in Philadelphia, Im not one to go so far as to say that the 215-area-code is the only place to get a good steak sandwich because while Tony Lukes and Pats and Genos and Jims and Lees and Mommas are meccas. White House in Atlantic City is great and even Papa Jakes all the way out in Los Angeles ranks up there in my book. HOWEVER, the sandwiches at BB only come one way (you dont even get a choice of cheeses), theyre on kaiser rolls instead of hoagie rolls, they throw a little bit of attitude into their service and they give you a wet-nap in the bag with your take-out order. Its worth the trek down the Jersey Turnpike to get a real cheese steak. more
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Steak & Cheese? 7/25/2002

A Philly Cheese steak it is not, so let's not call it that. It is a pretty good steak sandwich that is smothered in grilled onions, some sort of spicy sauce, cheese, and then served on a roll. It is worth stopping by if you are in the neighborhood, but I definitely wouldn't stand on some of the lines that I have seen outside the place during the work day lunch rush. If you want a ""cheese steak"" go to Philly. If you are in the village and want to try an interesting steak and cheese, come here. more
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You're a long way from Philly! 7/22/2002

I've spent several years in Philadelphia eating more than my fair share of authentic cheese steaks. And BB's steaks don't even come close to the real thing. I'm not just saying that because I'm a ""Pat's Steaks"" snob. I'm saying that because you get BB's steaks pre-made, pre-wrapped out of the oven, and you can only get them one way. Plus the bread and meat don't even come close to the Philly creation. And they're very light on atmosphere. more
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Menu for BB Sandwich Bar


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    The steps leading up to BB Sandwich Bar, like the steps leading to a temple, signify that you are entering a higher realm, one you must climb to deserve. Inside, there is no...

  • 4/21/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 11:30 AM - 7:45 PM Tuesday 11:30 AM - 7:45 PM Wednesday 11:30 AM - 7:45 PM Thursday 11:30 AM - 7:45 PM Friday 11:30 AM - 7:45 PM Saturday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, Greenwich Village
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