Between the Bread

I've sort of given up on trying to eat at Ike's Place, even though it makes some of the finest sandwiches in the city. The lines are just insanely long, even in what used to be off hours, and I am pretty impatient when it comes to waiting in line for food. Thanks in part to Yelp, it's too popular for its own good, which makes me sad.

Apparently, Ike's neighbors aren't happy either, and even the New York Times knows about it. A writeup in Friday's paper addresses the effect of crazy queues at Ike's and Bi-Rite on the surrounding residents. If you're wondering why this topic is worthy of a NYT story, well, I'm with you. But let's take a moment to discuss anyway. According to the article:

With up to 1,200 customers on sunny weekend days, Ike’s has faced a backlash from neighbors. The once-quiet block on 16th Street is fed up with patrons who wait up to two hours for their chance to taste what they believe is nirvana between two slices of bread. In response to complaints, Ike’s reduced its hours starting this month — it closes at 7 p.m.

"The only time we’re not busy is when we’re not open," said Ike Shehadeh, the owner.

Ain't that the truth. And forget finding a table once you've ordered your sandwich. Apparently, on one recent Saturday, the sidewalk was so clogged it was impossible to walk by, and customers were taking their grub to neighboring stoops.

I'm so glad for Ike's success, and dude totally deserves it. But when it comes to long lines for restaurant, I reach a point of diminishing returns after about an hour, or usually less. What about you?

I was already transfixed by the New York Times's One in 8 Million series, which is sort of like Story Corps, featuring lovely vignettes told by real NYC denizens, accompanied by photos. But for obvious reasons, I really love the latest installment, William A. Thomas: The Regular, about a lawyer who eats lunch almost every day at Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop.

Thomas admits he's not a foodie and that he's just too lazy to brown bag it. So most days he sits at the counter at Eisenberg's among a few other regulars. His favorite is the tongue, Swiss, and slaw on rye, though he mixes it up with brisket and whitefish sandwiches too. Says Thomas: "Left to my own devices, I would have the tongue, Swiss, and slaw seven days a week, but I recognize that that probably wouldn't be in the best interest of my life expectancy."

No matter where I'm living, I love being a regular. I always have a go-to cafe where they know my order, and I cultivate familiarity at my favorite sandwich shops and bars, too. There's something very comforting about it, especially when you're in a big city. Don't you think?