Spreads is just what Murray Hill needed. It’s a creative sandwich shop a step above the likes of Potbelly that has different ingredients throwing you for a loop such as tortilla chips in a turkey sandy, pretzel rolls, a coconut “bacon” BLT, a crunchy grilled cheese with asparagus and black truffle spread, etc. The vegetable sides are fresh and full of flavor only costing $5 a pop for a great portion and healthy snack. My favorite sandwich is the Turkey which comes with Avocado, Monterey Jack, Spinach, Aleppo Pickled Roasted Peppers, Spicy Chipotle Aioli, Tortilla Chips on a toasted Ciabatta. While Ciabatta is probably my least favorite bread, their homemade recipe is softer than most and not too thick or overpowering for the sandwich. You can really taste each ingredient with every bite, and the roasted peppers are awesome. I loved the crunch of the tortilla chips surprisingly. The Schnitzel is with Dark Meat Chicken, the same roasted red peppers, Roasted Garlic Aioli, Kale Slaw and is pretty saucy and standard.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad: Kale Slaw, Quinoa Salad, Marinated Brussels Sprouts, House Greens
Banana Nutella Sandwich
I’d skip the Nutella Sandwich which sounds incredible with Organic Peanut Butter, Hazelnut Chocolate Nutella, Banana, Caramelized Puffed Rice on Grilled Pressed Challah. I think the nutella and thicker bread are too intense as I couldn’t really taste the peanut butter or puffed rice. The Roasted Butternut Squash Salad blew me away that I lost concentration on the sandwiches. It reminds me a bit of Hu Kitchen’s flavors. The squash is cooked perfectly making it soft and sweet, and the brussels sprouts are some of the best I’ve had. They are sweet and made with honey and balsamic vinegar which is probably the best combination for this vegetable. You can order this squash or brussels sprouts as a side as well. It’s a pretty big salad and filling, so a perfect lunch option.
Truffled Grilled Cheese
There are six options of brightly colorful cold press fresh squeezed juices. The Gold, which is orange, is made with carrot, cucumber, apple, lime and ginger. It’s sweet and goes down easy. The line can get a bit long during lunch time but nothing unusual. You walk in, order from the menus and daily specials listed on the walls and then wait until they call your number. The red stools against the windows make great seats for looking out and enjoying yourself if you decide to dine in. Overall, Spreads is a wonderful sandwich and upscale salad shop and is definitely on my top list of lunch places in this neighborhood. Smell ya later Subway lovers.