THE CROSBY CONNECTION: "TRUE NEW YORK CITY APPEAL"
  by egolds  
written: 06 August 2001
last time there: August 2001
My first visit to The Crosby Connection came by way of an early afternoon craving for espresso. The neighborhood lunch nook had always intrigued me, so I stopped by for a quick pick me up. Twenty minutes later I returned to work with a banana, a mango, a new friend named Joe, and oh yes…the espresso, curiously served in a plastic-to-go-soup-container. The espresso was at least a double shot, if not more and the fruit was free of charge, as was Joe's story about the car crashing into the Swatch Watch store down the block. This is surely a familiar experience to anyone who has visited the crack-in-the-wall, take out window sandwich shop, and an experience that has kept me coming back for more.
Since my first visit I have returned on numerous occasions, and have indulged in more than just espresso and fruit. Besides the many freebies, Joe, the owner, chef, and counterperson of The Crosby Connection, dishes out some killer sandwiches and interesting surprise daily specials. The last sandwich I had there was the aged prosciutto di parma hero, served on crusty 7 grain bread and layered with fresh smoked mozzarella, tangy sundried tomatoes, red and yellow sweet peppers, mixed spring greens, and balsamic vinegar and green vegan oil. As if the hulking sandwich wasn't enough, Joe just happened to be serving barbecued chicken that day, and he insisted that I try a piece to tell him what I think. Grilled on a hibachi, sitting on the sidewalk in front of the tiny store, the piquant, caramel colored chicken was tender and juicy on the inside and perfectly charred on the outside. "To dry?" Joe asked. "No," I replied with my mouth full, "Delicious Joe." I washed the barbecued chicken down with a glass of home brewed iced-tea; you pour it yourself at the makeshift beverage counter. When I went to pay, Joe threw in a banana and another glass of iced-tea, not bad for $6. On other visits I have tried the creamy tuna melt on flavorful semolina bread and the veggie sandwich, chock-full of grilled vegetables and fresh melted mozzarella on a hard Italian roll. None of the sandwiches are over $6, and every one is guaranteed to satisfy, and made to order (you can create your own if you'd like). Several small tables are available on the sidewalk, and if you choose to sit down, Joe will bring your order over to you when it's ready. I prefer to stand by the counter and watch Joe in action. The miniature kitchen is just big enough for one person to work in, but Joe moves gracefully around the cramped quarters, cooking up those delectable sandwiches, telling his stories as he cooks, and keeping The Crosby Connection a special place to visit.
(PS…On my most recent visit Joe told me he plans on offering a Fall Dinner Menu filled with just-heat-em-n'-eat-em meals…)
Pros: great cheap food free stuff make a friend true NYC
Cons: small menu limited hours (for the time being)
Details: On the corner of Bleecker and Crosby Streets 212-677-8444
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