Parisi vs Torrisi: A Battle of the Sandwich

Working in Nolita, there is the constant temptation of delicious treats to be had. While there are more upscale restaurants in the area (Public, La Esquina, Falai) there are also many amazing restaurants that are not too expensive (Rubirosa, Balaboosta) and some that are quick, easy and quite cheap (Tacombi @Fonda Nolita, Asiadog, L'asso). Two great lunch options in the sandwich department are Parisi Bakery and Torrisi Italian Specialties.

My coworker and I were both fiending for said sandwiches the other day..only he wanted Parisi and I wanted Torrisi, so we stopped off at both and decided to so a sandwich-off.

Parisi

Parisi is strictly a deli, no seats and no frills. The ingredients are fresh and plentiful, however, and you can construct a delicious meal for not too much money. They have popular sandwich choices (ex. Egg Salad, Turkey & Cheese) and many different types of veggies, meats, and breads. Being a vegetarian, my friend chose sesame challah bread with sun-dried tomato, lettuce, smoked mozzerella and pesto. We ordered and left as it began to get crowded. 

Torrisi

We then headed over to Torrisi (ahh Torrisi!) where it was my turn. This was my second time experiencing the wonders of Torrisi Italian Specialties. The first time was a very strange occurance where I ended up having lunch with Rihanna's creative director and a famous comedian. NBD. The restaurant is tiny, maybe 12 tables tops, so the chances of getting a table are slim. Otherwise, they have a counter and you can order sandwiches and antipasti to go. The menu is pretty small but the options are all amazing. They offer a choice of five sandwiches (turkey, chicken parm, eggplant parm, italian combo and potato and egg) with options of hero or roll. You pretty much order as is and, in this case, you are in safe hands. I ordered the turkey sandwich (comes with some sort of mayo, lettuce and tomato) and a side of brussel sprouts.

Giant Sandwich from Parisi

Parisi
Tip: For those of you looking for a man, the uniformed men of the FDNY are often seen ordered their lunch there.
Ingredient Option: A wide variety of pretty much anything you could want on a sandwich
Portion: The sandwich my friend ordered was HUGE
Flavor: Overall a great sandwich but the amount of bread outweighed the flavors a bit
Price: $7ish
Overall: 8. Good selection, good price

Perfection from Torrisi

Torrisi
Tip: Order ahead and have your sandwich waiting for you. Check their website for menu updates.
Ingredient Option: If you're picky or have dietary restrictions it could be a little diffult.
Portion: Decent sized. I was totally full afterwards.
Flavor: Amazing. Torrisi can do no wrong in my eyes
Price: $9 for the sandwich, $4 for the brussel sprouts.
Overall: You havent lived until you've had a Torrisi sandwich!

Final thoughts: If you're looking for your favorite sandwich, Parisi is the place to get it made just the way you like it. If you're looking for a new favorite sandwich, Torrisi is the way to go.