Cheeky Sandwiches is a New Orleans-style sandwich shop that doesn’t necessarily limit itself to New Orleans fare. Sure, there’s the Oyster and/or Shrimp Po’ Boy, served “dressed” (probably the most popular offering), and there’s the veggie mufaletta, a non-meat riff on the iconic big easy circular sandwich; But, there’s also Fried Chicken on a Biscuit (more generally Southern), Braised Short Rib on Challah, as well as a number of BKLYN Sliders..Oh, and breakfast sandwiches too.
What unites the tightly focused menu then, is not as much a regional perspective as it is a focus on quality and specificity. Each sandwich is constructed with a well thought out group of ingredients and paired with the perfect doughy vessel, whether challah, biscuit, flautta, or in the case of the po’boy, a long roll shipped in from John Gendusa Bakery in New Orleans.
It was certainly a tough call, but for my first Cheeky experience, I went with the Pork Loin, a marinated seared chop, topped with caramelized apples, onions and sweet and spicy mustard - on buttery, toasted challah. While the pork was surprisingly tender, the caramelized apples really set this sandwich apart, imparting a sweet, tart flavor that brightens the sandwich as a whole. Paired with the mustard, the flavors are bold, you might even say they’re a little cheeky.