Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches

On Saturday, Chris and I headed to Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches on the LES for some Vietnamese sandwiches. I didn’t even know there were Vietnamese sandwiches…I’m from Champaign…so, be happy that I’ve had pho before. 🙂 Nicky’s is special because it’s this small place on 2nd Street (I’m not familiar with the LES at all…unless you count knowing where all the good bakeries are in Chinatown as knowledgeable):

The place was really packed when we got there (at 3pm!) Nicky’s is a little run down, but it’s a small space with only two or three employees, two toasters, a rice cooker, and a television (playing the Simpsons on repeat!). Their menu is very simple – three or four types of sandwiches and a couple of rice options. Also, it’s incredibly cheap for sandwiches (only $4 a pop – you can’t beat that!). I ordered the traditional Vietnamese sandwich – Pâté, ham, ground pork, pickled carrot, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeño, and mayo on a baguette and Chris ordered the chicken sandwich – Chicken, pickled carrot, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeño, and mayo on a baguette. A picture of my sandwich:

First bite: awesome. The baguette is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. The Pâté, ham, and ground pork go surprisingly well with the carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, and jalapeño. The cilantro really makes the sandwich fresh and delicious. (My opinion may be somewhat skewed since we hadn’t eaten since the night before and we had to wait 30 minutes to get our food). If the location was closer to me/closer to a subway that’s close to me, I’d go there all the time, but since it’s in the middle of nowhere for me, Nicky’s is a place I’d go for a special treat.