Jeanne Muchnick's Best Thing I Ate: NYC-inspired sandwich at Eastchester restaurant

From the minute they open their doors to closing, it's always bustling at Mason Sandwich Co. in Eastchester. That's because Chef/Owner Lou Brindley is all about quality. He's also all about consistency and being creative with his offerings. The almost 8-year-old fast casual sandwich shop, which he owns with his brother George, is open seven days a week. They make ordering efficient with their kiosk system and their mobile app "Mason Eats" (in the Apple and Google Playstore).

Anything you get here is a winner but I'm a fan — and have been since they opened — of the "53rd & 6th," a NYC cart-style chicken sandwich featuring white yogurt sauce, harissa, lettuce, tomato and onion. It's basically an elevated version of a longtime street food favorite but done with really good bread and the perfect marriage of flavors. No surprise — It's the Best Thing I Ate This Week.

It is, though, a tough call between this and the Chickwich, buttermilk-fried? chicken drizzled with spicy maple and a house pickle. Plus how can you resist the Mason Burger, two four-ounce house blend patties, with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and Bridley's special sauce with fries. Again, a gourmet interpretation of a beloved fave, in this case a Big Mac, which wows your tastebuds, blending nostalgia with a more modern touch.

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Taking items you're familiar with and adding a chef's touch is a theme here. Case in point: the Chipotle Chicken Bowl with pulled chicken, sour cream, crispy tortilla, Oaxaca cheese, avocado, lettuce, brown rice and beans. He also does a killer perfectly crispy eggplant sandwich with Oaxaca cheese, avocado, roasted tomato and Chipotle sauce on sesame seed bread.

There are salads here as well and, naturally, I'm also a fan. My go-to (and another Best Thing I Ate This Week" cause there's no way I could come here and just order one thing!) is the Kale and Quinoawith marinated kale, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumbers, feta, red onion and a house Greek dressing I wish they'd bottle and sell.

If you're a salad lover as I am, you'll find more creative options at The Prince next door, which the brothers opened in 2021.

If you go

Address: 33 Mill Road, Eastchester, 914-776-2766, masonsandwiches.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Good to know: There's also beer.

Where I should eat next?

Have a recommendation on where you think is best? Email me at [email protected]. You'll also find my foodie adventures on Instagram at jeannemuchnick and via my free lohud food newsletter.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Muchnick's Best Thing I Ate: NYC-inspired sandwich in Eastchester NY