Peanut Butter & Co. Sandwich Shop

When my buddy Peter in Westchester mailed me a jar of dark chocolate dreams from Peanut Butter & Co. five years ago, I was hooked and was eager to try their other flavors of peanut butter. This brand of peanut butter cannot be found in Honolulu where I reside and though they can be purchased online, I usually pick up a jar or two at Whole Foods when I visit Manhattan.

For this year's trip back to the city, I was determined to make a stop at their NYC Sandwich Shop. It's a quaint, cute shop where one can grab a quick bite to eat. Its popularity no doubt is built on their reputation of flavored peanut butters and our recollections of enjoying a homemade peanut butter sandwich in our youth.

Most of the sandwiches run about $7 to $8 on your choice of bread and include a side of potato chips and carrot sticks. Some classic sandwiches include the Elvis ($7.50, grilled peanut butter sandwich, stuffed with bananas and honey) and the Cookie Dough Surprise ($6.75, peanut butter on one side and velvetty vanilla cream cheese on the other, stuffed with chocolate chips). I opted for something with one of my favorite foods: bacon. The Peanut Butter BLT ($7.00) is prepared with toasted bread and fresh cut bacon. Rather than the creamy texture of mayonnaise, the peanut butter gives the sandwich a heartier flavor. Naturally any peanut butter sandwich requires a drink and paired it with a bottle of Martinelli's apple juice.

Among their jars of peanut butter, I have tried the Dark Chocolate Dreams, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, White Chocolate Wonderful and The Heat is On. The latter is best used as a dipping peanut butter with crackers or vegetable sticks. The other make are better for sandwiches or for those you love to eat peanut butter out of a jar.

Visit ilovepeanutbutter.com for more info and to shop online. The Sandwich Shop is located at 240 Sullivan Street in New York City between 3rd and Bleecker just south of Washington Square Park. Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri & Sat 11am-10pm. Click HERE to view their shop menu.