At a time when fad foods seem to be reinventing themselves and popping up on every corner of New York City (cough cough – frozen yogurt), Sandwell has managed to carve out a niche of its own in the sandwich scene. With locations in Gramercy and on the Upper West Side, the self-described “healthyish” sandwich shop focuses on high-quality ingredients, unique recipes, and flavors that feel both comforting and novel.
This summer, founder Andy Gottlieb is bringing a piece of his hometown to Manhattan with the launch of the Bawlmer Crab Roll, Hon. It’s a limited-time special inspired by the blue crab traditions of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region. We stopped by the Upper West Side location to try it!
The Chicken Rampant (by Knockturnal)
Sandwell has an easygoing neighborhood fe el that makes it just as suitable for a quick lunch as it is for lingering over a meal with friends and watching passersby through the window from their bar counter. All of their menu options sounded incredible – we of course had to try the crab roll special, but also opted to sample their Chicken Ramp sandwich (a spring special) and their classic Turkey Meatball Sub.
The star of our visit was, obviously, the Bawlmer Crab Roll, Hon. It combines cold blue crab with warm Maryland-style crab dip, creating a contrast of textures that makes each bite special. The crab dip, made with whipped burrata and Greek yogurt, has a creamy tanginess without overpowering the delicate crab flavor and staying on the healthier side by opting away from mayo. Meanwhile, the cold crab salad adds a fresh tone, with notes of dill and celery seed shining through. We loved the other seasonal special as well. The Chicken Rampant sandwich delivered bright, herbaceous flavors that perfectly complemented the tender chicken, creating a sandwich that felt both satisfying and surprisingly light. Ramps are spring’s hottest farmers market item here in NYC, and Sandwell’s incorporation of this star ingredient delivers on the hype.
The Turkey Meatball Sub (by Knockturnal)
While the crab roll may be the seasonal headliner, Sandwell’s year-round menu deserves just as much attention. The Turkey Meatball Sub offered a hearty and comforting flavor. The meatballs were tender, the sunday sauce rich without being heavy, and the toasted bread held everything together beautifully – with almost a garlic bread-y note? We have to mention that this was Sandwell’s very first sandwich, making it extra special. In their words, it’s the one “that started it all.”
To round out the meal, we sampled two of Sandwell’s fresh juices. The Pineapple Coconut water tasted like a virgin piña colada, balancing tropical sweetness with a smooth, creamy finish. The Strawberry Apple juice was brighter and fruit-forward, offering a crisp sweetness that paired especially well with the savory sandwiches. It’s a grown up version of your favorite apple juice – the sweet, familiar apple flavor cut with the tart freshness of strawberry.
All three sandwiches we tasted lined up! (by Knockturnal)
Whether you’re stopping in for the limited-edition crab roll or one of the shop’s signature sandwiches, Sandwell proves that a great sandwich can be just as satisfying as a fine dining meal. Maybe more so, if you bag a bag and take these to the park to enjoy some of the amazing weather we’ve been having. The Bawlmer Crab Roll, Hon is available for a limited time this summer. We highly recommend stopping by and grabbing one before they’re gone.
