POV: it’s 9 a.m. and you just finished your second workout class of the day. Barry’s and then pilates? Piece of cake!
Ugh, if you didn’t work so hard for Em Rata-esque abs, you totally would devour a piece of cake right now
You settle for a hearty bagel from Zucker’s, home to your favorite breakfast sandwich in NYC.
You’re obviously getting whole wheat- it is still technically hot girl summer after all.
See Also: The Fanciest Toast In NYC, From Truffle Ricotta To Wagyu
After waiting in an astronomically long line, you’re ravenous and ready to dig in.
You wrap your hands around the hot, buttery dough, anxiously awaiting what’s to come.
As you pull apart the dough, a flood of ooey-gooey cheese emerges like Moses parting the Red Sea.
It is a pretty biblical experience, after all.
Keep reading for the strongest cheese pulls in the game.
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Multiple Locations/Website
If you’re looking for the craziest cheese pull in NYC, you can definitely find it at Milano Market. Not only does this family-owned sandwich shop serve some of the best Italian eats in NYC, but they also create highly instagrammable dishes perfect for your feed. I mean, whose mouth doesn’t water looking at this?! Made with your choice of breaded chicken or eggplant, melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, and creamy vodka sauce, the Triple “S” is sure to satisfy all your cheese cravings.
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509 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan/Website
If you’re craving Southern food, but can’t afford a flight to Nashville or Charleston, Jacob’s Pickles has got you covered! This Upper East Side eatery is famous for its authentic atmosphere and comfort food essentials like biscuits and fried chicken. And yes, while all of that is delicious, we’re in it for the poutine. French fries smothered in brown gravy, heaping loads of cheese, and a hollandaise drizzle? Please name something more mouthwatering, we’ll wait.
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35-05 Broadway, Manhattan/Website
You’re deathly hungover and all you’re craving is Brooklyn Bagel’s Bacon Egg and Cheese. You can never go wrong with a BEC, but Brooklyn Bagel just hits different. Or as the cool kids are saying these days, “it slaps.” Does anybody say dank anymore? The moment you bite into this culinary masterpiece, the cheese coats your mouth with intoxicatingly buttery and salty flavors. Hmmm.
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Multiple Locations/Website
It would be sacrilegious to not include grilled cheese on a list of the best cheese pulls in NYC. And speaking of moral wrongdoings, if you haven’t tried Schnipper's yet, what are you doing?! Run don’t walk to this hamburger-focused eatery that happens to serve our favorite grilled cheese in the city. Made with four different types of melted cheese and served on crispy grilled sourdough, this dish is perfect any meal of the day.
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645 2nd Ave,Manhattan/Website
Pictures usually don’t do food justice, but this photo from Montagu’s Gusto is very much an exception. We’re literally salivating while writing this. The cheesy chicken cutlet sandwich with avocado is an off-the-menu secret, but have we ever led you astray? The crispiness of the chicken pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the avocado and the saltiness of the cheese, creating an oasis of flavors that quite literally explodes in your mouth.
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1590 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website
Many go to this old-fashioned bar for tequila sodas and vodka crans, but we’re obviously here for the food. The Penrose’s insanely addictive Mac & Cheese is prepared with the triple threat of cheese: Gruyere, Cheddar, and Monterrey Jack, and then topped off with scallions, breadcrumbs, and the option of applewood smoked bacon. If you’re true foodies like us, you know everything is better with slabs of greasy bacon.
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190 A Duane St, Manhattan/Website
When it comes to arancini—deep-fried rice balls of otherworldly deliciousness—the cheesier, the better. And can we take a moment of silence for this pull, please?! We’ve literally never seen anything like it. Made with creamy parmesan risotto and mozzarella, this dish belongs in the cheese hall of fame. The way the cheese melts is like a never-ending tower of fondue, creamy and decadent in all the right ways.
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142 W 49th St, Manhattan/Website
A haven for pasta fanatics alike, this no-frills eatery serves some of the best baked ziti in all of New York City. And obviously, the best part of any baked ziti dish is the cheese. This dreamy dish is prepared with loads of Al-dente pasta, and tossed with heavenly ricotta, pecorino romano, and fresh mozzarella. Afterward, it’s topped with Pasta Lover’s special tomato sauce and then baked with a thick coating of mozzarella. In the words of Chandler Bing, could it BE any better?
From hungover morning bagels, to date night favorites, we’ve rounded up the craziest cheese pulls in all of Manhattan.
Photography by: Courtesy Melissa Rosner
