Goodbye, classic slices. Hello, $1 serrano ham sandwiches.The Spanish fast-food chain 100 Montaditos is preparing to open its first New York location this summer in the current home of Pizza Box, which has sold slices on Bleecker Street since 1957.
Selling 100 varieties of the Spanish mini-sandwiches known as montaditos — priced between $1 and $3 — the chain is set to open at 176 Bleecker St. near Sullivan Street in mid-July, exclusive New York franchise owner Brian Crawford told DNAinfo.com New York on Tuesday.
The southern Spain-based chain will offer an ultra-low-cost "Spanish culinary experience," said Crawford, who is a former executive chef at Dean & DeLuca.
"It's affordable elegance with charcuterie and jamon at a reasonable price," he said.
Sandwich stuffings include chorizo, Spanish omelet, Iberico cheese and fried calamari. Patatas bravas ($3), French fries ($2.50) and mini-cups of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream ($2) are also on the menu.
The festive fast food joint also wants to serve cheap drinks, with sangria, tinto de verano and multiple bottled beers available for $3 to $5 each, and just $2 every Wednesday.
Crawford asked Community Board 2 on Tuesday night to support a beer and wine license transfer from Pizza Box, but board members instructed him to first discuss the restaurant's plans with local block associations.
Lease documents provided to CB2 show the 900-square-foot space with an additional 900-square-foot back garden was rented for $19,500 per month with 3-percent annual increases over the course of its 10-year lease.
Management of Pizza Box — which the pie-focused website Slice ranked one of Manhattan's top five pizza joints — was not immediately available Wednesday to comment on when the restaurant will close.
Fans can anticipate additional 100 Montaditos locations in the Big Apple, as the the chain has 20 locations in the works for New York City, Crawford said.
