By Michelle Gross
Smooth, crunchy, with crusts or without? These are a few of the choices you will have to make when ordering a sandwich at Peanut Butter and Co. Located in Greenwich Village, Peanut Butter and Co. brings out the child in everyone.
Peanut Butter and Co. opened its doors in December of 1998. Founder, Lee Zalben is a peanut butter lover. He personally came up with the menu of sandwiches, desserts and the six varieties of peanut butter that Peanut Butter and Co. offer.
This tiny storefront restaurant, not far from New York University, has seven tables and a lunchroom atmosphere. The walls are decorated with peanut butter memorabilia, all a part of Zalben’s personal collection. The menu puts a creative twist on the original lunchtime favorite, the peanut butter sandwich. Peanut Butter and Co. offers six types of peanut butter; smooth, crunchy, cinnamon raisin swirl, white chocolate, dark chocolate and spicy.
All of Peanut Butter and Co. sandwiches are served with carrot sticks and potato chips, just like a bag lunch from mom. The classic kid who doesn’t want to stray far from the original he was brought up on can choose either crunchy or smooth peanut butter on whole wheat or white bread and pair it with strawberry or grape jelly; the crust is optional.
For those looking for something different, try either the “Cinnamon Raisin Swirl” sandwich or the “Dark Chocolate Dream”. The “Cinnamon Raisin Swirl” pairs Peanut Butter and Co.’s cinnamon raisin peanut butter with green apples and vanilla cream cheese. The sweetness of the peanut butter combines well with the tart taste of apple. The “Dark Chocolate Dream” sandwich combines the dark chocolate peanut butter with cherry jam and coconut. This is a sandwich for someone with a sweet tooth. Other menu options include the classic Fluffernutter sandwich, which is Fluff and peanut butter, Ants on a log, which is celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins and “The Elvis”. “The Elvis” is a sandwich that pays tribute to one of the King’s favorite meals- a grilled peanut butter, honey, banana and bacon sandwich.
Not a fan of peanut butter; not to worry. Peanut Butter and Co. offers a menu of lunchtime favorites without peanut butter as well. These include tuna fish or chicken salad sandwiches, grilled cheese and bologna and cheese, among others. What kiddie lunch would be complete without a glass of milk? One can have his choice of skim, whole, soy, lactose, or chocolate. Peanut Butter and Co. offers other beverages as well, all of which can be washed down with a twisty sippy straw.
Last, but not least, the desserts. Peanut Butter and Co. has everything from peanut butter tiramisu to a take on the chocolate original, “Death by Peanut Butter.” In the mood for a comforting snack? Opt for the peanut butter cookies and a hot chocolate. The cookies have the right amount of crunch without being too hard. The combination will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
Apparently everyone wants to return to the days of their youth. Business men in suits to parents with their children to college students can be found either dining in or taking out from Peanut Butter and Co. Who wouldn’t want to go back to the days of peanut butter, sippy straws and recess?
Peanut Butter and Co. is located at 240 Sullivan Street Greenwich Village NY, between Bleecker and West 3rd Street. 212-677-3995.