New York City: Peanut Butter & Co. Sandwich Shop

Elisa:

I don’t go crazy over Peanut Butter. Nutella’s the best. But this experience has changed me entirely… No don’t get me wrong, Nutella’s still my favorite, but Peanut Butter is as good 🙂

Do you remember the times when you would have a PB&J Sandwich in your lunchbox? Do you remember the times when you would have Peanut Butter Cookies (even though your mother told you only to have one, but you would have a handful because it’s just so addictive) dipped into a glass of milk? Do you remember the times when, for health reasons, you would have carrot/celery sticks dipped into a jar of thick, creamy Peanut Butter?

Here’s some Food Facts & Trivia:

1. Americans eat about 700 million pounds of Peanut Butter each year.
2. Peanut Butter accounts for over half of U.S. peanut production.

Peanut Butter. What else is there to say? It’s an addiction.

So how would a shop with a menu primarily consisting of Peanut Butter Sandwiches and other items made with Peanut Butter sound like? Amazing? Divine? No, it’s heaven.

Walk down the streets of Greenwich Village, turn the corner, and you see a pretty bright blue canopy with a big “Peanut Butter & Co.” You walk in – unwaveringly – and are greeted with wooden tables and sentimental peanut-related posters on the bright yellow walls. You sit, and study the menu which inspires childhood nostalgia and modern Peanut Butter twists. There’s Classic PB Sandwiches, there’s Gourmet PB Sandwiches, there’s Other Homestyle Fare (but just stick to the PBs), and there’s PB desserts and drinks. And when you’ve fully digested what’s offered, you’ll agonize over the stress of choosing just one sandwich – or as many as you can take.

Fluffernutter Shake

Fluffernutter Shake ($5.25): peanut butter & Marshmallow Fluff. This is everything a good milkshake should be – thick, smooth and creamy, with distinct flavors of both peanut butter and marshmallow, yet not overly sweet. But have a friend to share this with you; it’s thick, and rich.

PB&J of the Week

For a sandwich, you could stick to the Classic ones – ones which would bring you back to the times you were a cute little child. You have a choice of either the Smooth Operator or Crunch Time, or add 50cents for flavoured Peanut Butters. But why not try a few Gourmet ones? Just for the experience. Don’t worry, you’ll still have a choice of Bakery White, Whole Wheat or Vegan Black bread. Crusts will still be cut off for you, and all sandwiches are served homestyle with a side of Potato Chips and Carrot Sticks – just like Mom used to make. So every week, there’s a new take on American’s favorite sandwich. PB&J of the Week ($7): Crunch Time and Pumpkin Butter. This is as incredible as it can get. There were actually pieces of pumpkin among the gooey, overflowing Peanut Butter! The crunchy peanut and the mellow pumpkin on a nicely toasted warm Whole Wheat Bread was amaaaaaazing. There were only 2 carrot sticks though … I’m sure they can do better than that.

The Heat Is On Sandwich

If the PB&J of the Week is as incredible as it can get, The Heat is On Sandwich ($7.25) was as mind-blowing as it can get. Spicy peanut butter and chilled grilled chicken, with a little bit of pineapple jam. Like a Thai satay – only better. It might sound a little strange at first, but trust them! Take a bite, and you’ll nod your head and say “hmmm, this is interesting, it actually works!” The sweet pineapple jam, the spicy, very spicy, peanut butter and the moist succulent chicken, it really did remind me of satay! You take another bite, and another, and another … and you’ll forget how spicy it actually is even though you’re already crying. Because it’s that good, that mind-blowing.

When you’ve finished your meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack etc.), you’ll take handfuls of napkins and wipe your hands and mouth again and again, then sit back and relax, telling yourself, “Wow, that was great.” But the problem is, when you think back of what you just indulged in, you wouldn’t want to return to the boring madness outside. But you must leave. Otherwise, how can you come back?

Lee Zalben is a genius. What’s more, Peanut Butter & Co.’s 10 varieties of all-natural peanut butter – Smooth Operator, Crunch Time, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, White Chocolate Wonderful, Dark Chocolate Dreams, The Heat Is On, Mighty Maple, The Bee’s Knees, Old Fashioned Smooth, and Old Fashioned Crunchy – are made fresh from a special blend of U.S. grown non-GMO peanuts chosen for their taste, texture and natural sweetness. Certified Kosher by Orthodox Union and Vegan by Vegan Action (The Bee’s Knees is vegetarian!), Peanut Butter & Co.’s peanut butter contains no cholesterol, no trans-fat, no hydrogenated oils, no dairy products, no refined sugars, and is gluten free. Additionally, all varieties of peanut butter are packaged in recyclable plastic jars! Today, Peanut Butter & Co.’s peanut butter are available in over 10,000 supermarkets and specialty retailers in U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Asia.

It’s as simple as it can get. It’s easy, a little expensive though, but just plain fun! Yes, you could make yourself a Peanut Butter Sandwich at home. But why not take a trip down this memory lane, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just once in a while … Trust me, it’ll do you good. One regret I have: Not trying their desserts. Peanut Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter Parfait, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Peanut Butter Brownie Blast Sundae… I’m crying now T.T

“Whether you’re a college student looking for a quick PB&J in between classes, a Greenwich Village resident dropping by for a slice of our famous Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie in the afternoon, an Upper East Sider picking up some peanut butter cookies to much on while shopping in SoHo, or a visitor from out of town who wants to try our Death by Peanut Butter Sundae, we look forward to serving you!” – Peanut Butter & Co. Sandwich Shop

Peanut Butter & Co. Sandwich Shop
240 Sullivan Street
New York, NY 10012
(btw. West 3rd and Bleecker)
Tel: 212 677 3995
http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/sandwichshop

Ps. I sincerely apologize if these pictures do not give peanut butter the full justice and craze they deserve. Each sandwich was overflowing with rich, thick peanut butter, so much peanut butter that it was just oozing from every inch and side of the sandwich. Yum