Queens Tribune

36-12 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria
PHONE: (718) 726-6669
CUISINE: Italian, Sandwiches
HOURS: Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Sundays. Catering available 7 days a week.
PARKING: curbside
CREDIT CARDS: All Major
SPECIALS: All heros, wraps, and breadless sandwiches, $5.

It’s the Law & Order of Queens eateries, where sandwich names are ripped from the headlines just in time for lunch.
For the past 22 years, Buon Appetit Caterers in Astoria has been serving up a huge selection of specialty sandwiches and salads named for celebs, city agencies, New York sports teams and local hotspots, all for a price that would make any deli fan smile.

“If you want a ham and cheese sandwich, go to the supermarket,” said Buon Appetite owner John Morana.
On a recent visit, Morana showed off his newest dish – the Martha Stewart. Morana explained, “I just add a little avocado to the Riker’s Island sandwich, because that’s where she belongs.” The Riker’s Island sandwich, Morano explained, is grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and arugola with balsamic vinaigrette. “It’s a steal,” he said, noting that all sandwiches, except fish and veal, are just $5.

Another sandwich ripped from the headlines: the Janet Jackson sandwich, which includes roasted chicken breast on pumpernickel bread. There’s also a Titanic Hero, with smoked turkey and fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and vinegrette on garlic bread, and a Firemans Hero “FDNY” Hero, with smoked turkey, fried eggplant, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella and vinegarette dressing.

And even the borough’s most famous sandwich headquarters is not immune to the carbohydrate counting culture. Morana said all the sandwiches can be served as either a hero (lots of bread), a wrap (less bread), or on top of fresh greens, like a salad (no bread).

Prices are all $5, which attracts all kinds of clientele – including celebrities who are busy filming their television shows at nearby Silvercup Studios.

“Whoopi Goldberg, what does she order,” Morana asks aloud, before answering himself. “She takes a salad, with fresh mesclun greens, with avocado, artichokes, water chestnuts, grilled eggplant, and honey vinaigrette. And slices of brie,” he said.

Other trademark sandwiches include the Sophia Loren, with grilled honey dijon chicken and sweet peppers, and the Let’s Go Mets, with ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and red onions. Celebs including Tony Soprano, Robert DiNiro, John F. Kennedy, Steven Segal, Sammy Sosa, Frank Sinatra and Donnie Brasco also all have sandwiches named in their honor. The treats include everything from fried shrimp to hot pastrami to proscuitto to chicken cutlet to sausage and peppers.

But everybody is a celebrity with Morano. While ringing up an order of six potato crochets (75 cents), Morano counted, “1, 2, 3, 4, 5. And everyone gets one free.”

Morano, who said he runs his business like it is his kitchen, said every new customer gets a potato crochet free. Pickles with each sandwich are free as well.

The 22-year-old shop was renovated last year, and now offers seating near the window front, where customers can linger in the back-slapping, friendly atmosphere. “My house is your house,” said Morano, before he insisted we stay, for one more bite.