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1 Columbia Deli & Grill
$ · Sandwiches

1290 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Sandwiches in Harlem

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

1 Columbia Deli & Grill 7.6
Morningside Heights
Vibes: Quick Bites Champions Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Late Night Legends Solo Dining Sanctuaries
1 Columbia Deli & Grill is a 24/7 corner deli near 123rd Street known for stacked paninis, hot heroes, and build-your-own sandwich trays. It’s used as a round-the-clock sandwich source for students, campus staff, and nearby residents looking for turkey clubs and chicken sandwiches at odd hours.
Must-Try Dishes: Turkey Panini, Spartan Superstar Sandwich, The King Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.3 Service: 7.4 Consistency: 7.6 Food Quality: 7.9 Atmosphere: 6.2 Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: 24-hour deli-grill where paninis and hero sandwiches are available any time of day.
Who should go: Night owls and students needing sandwiches beyond normal hours.
When to visit: Late nights or early mornings when other sandwich spots are closed.
What to order: Turkey panini, Spartan Superstar sandwich, The King chicken sandwich.
Insider tip: For groups, use their sandwich tray options to feed meetings or study sessions without over-ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be competitive near campus during evenings and late nights
Dress code: Very casual — campus wear, hoodies, and everyday clothes are standard
Noise level: Low to moderate — mostly grab-and-go traffic with short bursts of late-night activity
Weekend wait: Usually no real wait; brief line during late-night rush periods
Weekday lunch: Short counter line during class breaks, but moves quickly
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — customizable sandwiches, egg and cheese options, and veggie paninis
Vegan options: Limited — possible with veggie fillings on bread or wraps, but no dedicated vegan program
Gluten-free options: Limited — standard breads and rolls; ask about salads or protein-plus-veg builds instead
Best For
Better for: Late-night and off-hour sandwich runs, budget-friendly combos, and fast customizable orders when other spots are closed
Skip if: You want specialty bread options, curated ingredients, or a sit-down sandwich shop experience with ambiance