What I did not learn in kindergarten…

According to Robert Fulgram, the first thing that you learn in kindergarten is to “share everything”.  Like many people, I consider a willingness to share to be  good thing, and for the most part, I do share.  I frequently offer bits of my latest food discovery to friends and family.  Hanco’s pork chop sandwich in Brooklyn has put a blemish on my formerly spotless record.

Since I do not live near Hanco’s, I make it a point to stop by whenever I am in the area, typically on the way to somewhere else.   Unfortunately, I may have someone else in the car. Before I call in my order ahead of time, I inform my passenger of the quick stop, and ask if he/she would be interested in a pork chop sandwich.  I receive a polite “no, thanks”  and a quizzical look.  Apparently, many fast food places have given the pork chop sandwich a bad reputation.  I  then call ahead with my order for one sandwich.  I pull up outside Hanco’s, pick up the sandwich and get back in the car.  This is where the trouble begins….

I have to take a bite before pulling off.  The car quickly fills with the mouthwatering aroma of the delicious Vietnamese sandwich.  It is impossible to ignore.  My passenger invariably  comments that the sandwich was not what they anticipated, and stares longingly at my food.  Of course, I have to offer a bite at this point.  It would be  rude not.  Unfortunately, that  single bite always turns into half of my sandwich.  I do not consider myself to be a greedy person, but if I wanted half of a sandwich, I would not have ordered a whole sandwich.

Hanco’s pork chop sandwich is a variation of a traditional Vietnamese banh mi -  ground pork, ham, and pâté on a toasted baguette with cucumbers, carrots, and daikon radish.  Bánh mì is popular in many areas of the country, but not as well known in Brooklyn.  I first stumbled into Hanco’s for the bubble tea, but left with a passion for bánh mì.  It must be tried at least once.   There are chicken and vegetarian versions, so there is a bánh mì for everyone.  ** CAUTION – Spicy means SPICY! **

I no longer ask passengers about their sandwich inclinations.  I just mention a quick stop, and automatically order 2 sandwiches.  I figure that if they are not interested, I will have another sandwich for later.  Of course this has never happened, but there is always a chance it might.

Hanco’s

85 Bergen St. (Smith-Hoyt Sts.), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn  718-858-6818

350 Seventh Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn  718-499-8081

If you have a suggestion for bánh mì in NYC, please share.  Thanks!bánh mì