Field Trip: Hansen’s Manhattan Deli

Talk about stepping outside your comfort zone. Walked down to Hansen’s to have lunch. Had to talk to people, had to walk through the light and the noise. And I am hungry. Honor the hunger. Feed it. Is that how it works for everything? Honor the grief. Feed it. Can’t say I haven’t been doing that.

So noisy in here. Everyone is spilling over, voices and elbows. My eyes sting. I found a little half booth near the front. Anxiety is present, but it’s manageable. Mostly struggling to listen for my name over the din of conversation.

I’m not sure what the hell I’m eating. I put my faith in the special of the day. The innards are familiar, folded ham, some cheese, pepperoni, words and names my eyes slide across without gaining traction before the brain decided to make the situation simple and take the special of the day.

No, it was what spread across the top that I wasn’t familiar with, something green, stewed to wilting, dusted with a spicy seasoning. The sandwich acquired depth; the under part soft, delicate, creamy and almost sweet while biting through the top was bold and robust. The greens were super soft and tender, too tender to be the grape leaves I suspected them to be at the beginning.

I stopped by the counter on the way out to ask them. They were fried bell peppers, and the seasoning was a custom blend. They were absolutely amazing.