No, it’s not officially on the menu. Yes, it’s available every day of the week. Still, on any given Tuesday, Manhattan Deli swells with die-hard fans of the original “Tuesday Special.” It’s a loaded sandwich that started as a once-a-week option before a cult following encouraged the staff to sell the sandwich every day. The sandwich starts on a hoagie bun, then roasted turkey and ham are piled on and covered in Baby Swiss cheese. Finally, a homemade Parmesan sauce is heartily drizzled on top, with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Then, the staff pops the sandwich in a mini oven to warm the meat, soften the hoagie further and melt the Swiss and cheese sauce into a hot, gooey, irresistible sandwich.
When you take your first bite, the turkey’s flavor stands out above the slightly salty cheese. That’s because the staff roasts its turkey each evening, just like you would for Thanksgiving, and hand-slices it to create thick, juicy cuts for sandwiches. If you stop in on any other day of the week, ordering the Tuesday Special will prove you’re a regular. Tweeting that you “enjoyed the Tuesday Special for lunch on Thursday” may spur a few questions on your ability to read a calendar, but let them question. We’ll know what you’ve been up to.
Tuesday Special
Cost: $7.50 (with a drink and chips or a cookie on Tuesdays only), or $5.45 all other days
Find it: Manhattan Deli, 3705 Ingersoll Ave.
Info: 274-1208
