Better Being Underground
“My friend and I shared the Nuyorican and the Fu Man Chew — both were explosions of flavor and very creative!”
“My favorite is the Slumdog Millionaire: curried chicken w/ spinach, cilantro, mint and red onion on pressed garlic nann.”
“This place is an amazing lunch spot that you would walk by and never know it was there.”
Better Being Underground
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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This place has the BEST SANDWICHES. Its a small, badass little underground shop on a cute West Village street. Very tiny. Menu slightly different each day but so many options and staples. The guy i super friendly. Only open for Lunch weekdays – wish it was weekends too! Cash only. St. Lukes, Newyorican and their crinkle cookies are to die for!
As a New Yorker, I spend enough time underground. But if there's something other than a subway or a speakeasy to get me subterranean, it's sandwiches.
And really, the argument can be made that Better Being Underground is somewhat of an "all of the above" combination. It sports an organic-looking, subway-style sign (MTA Helvetica and all) atop the descending stairwell entrance. And while signage may technically disqualify BBU as some sort of speakeasy, the fact that it's in a basement on an otherwise residential West Village side street certainly adds an off-limits allure. But lastly, and most literally, well, this place sells sandwiches. Pretty darn good sandwiches.
Now, these sammies change daily, so I suggest starting with a good website perusal to see what's on tap. I've had my fill here and sampled a good amount of the menu (no shame, people), so I'm willing to put my money on the Slumdog Millionaire (Tandoori Chicken, Spinach, Red Onion, Curry Mayo, Naan) and the St. Luke (Fried Buttermilk Battered Murray's Chicken, Pickles, Brioche Bun with Chipotle or Rosemary Horseradish) as my two favorites. The latter seems to be the one constant – I've never seen it missing from the rotating menu – suggesting this is their signature sandwich. I can also never decide between the chipotle or rosemary horseradish, so I order both and the combo is worth it (though chipotle may have the edge with its spiciness; ask me again tomorrow). In any event, it's always nice to see a spot be so liberal with their sauces (::cough:: McDonald's ::cough::).
The space is industrial kitchen-stark and awfully tight, with a controlled chaos vibe (impossible to know who's ordered and who hasn't without asking), so claustrophobes and the socially anxious (a two-for-one if you're both!) need not apply. Still, as some subway-speakeasy-sandwich shop hybrid, its uniqueness is off the charts, and unapologetically New York. And what's also unapologetically New York are the prices, naturally (not to mention, it's cash only) – so this is typically a Treat Yo Self Friday kind of lunch for me. You start eating $12 sandwiches on a Monday and your week just spirals out of control, trust me on this one, guys. Wild, I know.
I swung by here today for the first time after hearing about it through a friend. It was almost 2 PM so the spot wasn't so crowded. I like the lay out, it's down a flight of stairs in a basement. Simple and to the point. I ordered a vegetarian based sandwich with squash, kale and some other goodies inside (honestly forgot the name). It was the perfect portable lunch to eat in the neighboring park and was quite delicious.
With a can of Perrier and the included chips it was over $14.00. Certainly not a cheap lunch. My other quips were: 1) The sandwiches are somewhat pre-made so I couldn't take the chipotle mayo off. 2) They barely had any potato chip selection or healthier sides (baked lays anyone)
I would consider returning again if I was in the area or knew somebody visiting with a real sandwich craving at lunch time. I can certainly see it fill up on a busy day since it's so small.
This review is for their pop-up shop at Pier 60 (Hudson River Park/Chelsea Piers). I have ridden by here a number of times and today I decided to stop. There are about a dozen small shops here, and Better Being by the water seemed to have the most interesting selection. I wanted the St. Luke but they were sold out so I went with the Nuyorican. Spicy! But very nice. I noticed it is $1.00 more than what is advertised at the regular shop, but filling and no small bag of chips but better than those tiny ones some other shops offer. There are plenty of picnic tables so you can watch the runners, bikers, & skateboarders on the Greenway or check out the Hudson River.
I have been stalking this place for a while online, checking out their daily food porn pics, and what finally got me in the door was The Po Girl sandwich (Fried Shrimp, Thai Chili Aioli, Green Papaya Salad, Coconut Toasted Potato Bun $11.99). Sandwich size was around 4 and a half inches in length and it was served on baguette bread, I guess they ran out of the potato bun (I picked the sandwich up around 1:30 PM). The fried shrimps were small in size but tasty, and the aioli was good but tasted more like a remoulade than a Thai Chili aioli. The sandwich included a bag of chips and a 1/4 of A Half Sour Pickle. I love half sour pickles, so no complaints there.
At $13 including tax, I just wasn't blown away. I can think of two other sandwiches in my work-hood that run $13 and do blow me away, one of which is ginormus and not 4 and a half inches. Come to think of it, no girl likes anything that is 4 and a half inches! I also wanted to try the Peanut butter rice crispy treat, but I did not have enough CASH; which brings me to my last gripe, have I mentioned I hate CASH ONLY!
I will definitely give BBUG and another shot before I write them off, because the sandwich was good, just not amazing. Sadly, the $13 sandwich market in Soho/South Village is very competitive.
Loved my sandwich here! When I arrived at this location, I thought the entrance was sketchy since you had to go down this staircase. It almost made it feel more exclusive like you had to know about the place. However, once you're inside, it seemed fine. I had the za'atar sandwich which was a Moroccan BBQ pulled chicken and thought it was really delicious!! It also came with chips or an apple. I'd love to come back and try this place again. This is a great to-go lunch spot in the area.
My Nuyorican ($9.99) was fresh, unique (roasted plantain), and satisfying but it needed something to tie together, more Peppercorn Mayo? The white meat chicken was not dry and the romaine lettuce have a nice crunch to the sandwich wrapped in a soft pita bread. The sandwich may appears small but it was a solid lunch but not a four star.
The open hours are limited, 12-3pm, so naturally, it's busy so call for pick up and place your order. Oh! one more thing, some items will be sold out if you order late.
The Quick: Incredible (yet expensive) sandwiches for lunch, out of the ordinary and completely satisfying. Try to get your hands on a menu before going or show up before the lunch crowd. Everything is fast paced — don't be that indecisive guy everyone hates. The staff is very friendly. They sometimes run out of the more popular options. Only open for lunch. That's all.