NYC Chefs Reinvent the Classic Chopped Cheese Sandwich

The humble bodega staple undergoes a 'culinary explosion' as a new generation of New York chefs put fresh spins on the iconic sandwich.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The chopped cheese, a classic New York sandwich made with ground beef, American cheese, peppers, and onions, is being reinvented by a new generation of NYC chefs. Restaurants, food trucks, and pop-ups are experimenting with the base ingredients, presentation, and service of the chopped cheese, creating innovative variations that range from fusion flavors to premium wagyu beef versions.

Why it matters

The chopped cheese is a quintessential New York food, with roots in the city's bodegas and working-class neighborhoods. As a new wave of chefs put their own spin on this iconic sandwich, it highlights the ongoing evolution of New York's culinary landscape and the ability of classic dishes to inspire creativity and experimentation.

The details

Kelvin Murphy, a 'bodega baby' whose family owned bodegas in Queens, says the chopped cheese has 'really blown up in the last five' years, with chefs at restaurants, food trucks, and pop-ups putting fresh takes on the sandwich. Variations include the 'Good Mawning' (a mash-up of a chopped cheese and a bacon, egg, and cheese), the 'Down the Block' (topped with bacon, onion rings, and barbecue sauce), and the 'El Dominicano' (with an extra layer of fried Dominican cheese and salami). Other innovative versions feature fusion flavors like the Chapli Kabob Chopped Cheese at Nishaan, which combines Pakistani spices with the American classic, and the wagyu chopped cheese at Shmackwich, which elevates the sandwich with premium ingredients.

  • The chopped cheese has become more popular in the last 15 years, with a major surge in the past 5 years.

The players

Kelvin Murphy

A self-proclaimed 'bodega baby' whose grandfather, mother, and father worked in and owned bodegas in Queens.

Bodega City

A restaurant and food truck that serves an entire menu of chopped cheese variations.

Nishaan

A Manhattan restaurant that offers a Chapli Kabob Chopped Cheese, fusing Pakistani flavors with the American classic.

Shmackwich

A pop-up that serves a premium wagyu chopped cheese, elevating the sandwich with high-quality ingredients.

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What they’re saying

“When I was working at my dad's bodega, the chopped cheese wasn't a thing. I think I really started hearing about the chopped cheese and it being sold out of the bodegas probably the last maybe 15 years, and they've really blown up in the last five.”

— Kelvin Murphy, Self-proclaimed 'bodega baby' (Bronx Times)

The takeaway

The reinvention of the chopped cheese sandwich by New York chefs showcases the city's ongoing culinary evolution, as classic dishes are reinterpreted and elevated to appeal to a new generation of diners seeking unique and innovative flavors.