small bites: a roast pork sandwich at Chino’s

Back in 2005, New York magazine named this palm-sized concoction one of the best new sandwiches of the year. Three years later and off the radar, it’s still incredibly good. They mound a generous amount of delicate roast pork onto a seasoned and toasted steamed bun and garnish it with mild kimchi, cilantro and a creamy, house-made mustard sauce that makes it complete (and arguably worth the whopping $9 price tag).

The better deal is at lunch, when Chino's offers two small plates for $12. You can get the same-sized sandwich plus something else. But even if you can’t get there for a weekday lunch, this sandwich is kind of worth it (if you are of smallish figure with a non–bear-like appetite). I was surprised to find that while I wasn’t full after eating it, I wasn’t at all hungry three hours later. (Four hours later was a different story).

Chino’s is at 173 Third Avenue, between 16th and 17th Streets.

Comments

[izzy's mama]

Hey, glad to see you that you have returned, especially since it is the season to be eating less. Those sandwiches sound luscious. If only I could just take a few bites.

[Julie]

Hi there! I hope to be blogging more, as indeed it's getting warmer and there's good produce out there. I feel I eat so much better when I blog, as I at least make the attempt to cook.