Okay, I finally tried a chopped cheese from the place on 5th Ave near the gas station. It was fine? But it came to almost ten bucks with tax and the roll was kind of steamed, not toasted. Is that normal now? I thought the whole point was that it’s a cheap bodega sandwich. Where are you actually getting a good one in Park Slope/Gowanus that doesn't cost an arm? I don't need fancy, just proper chop, melted cheese, toasted bread.

Nah, ten bucks for a chopped cheese is a tourist tax. A real one should still be in the six-to-eight range depending on the block. The spot I keep going back to is the bodega on 4th Ave and 9th, the one with the beat-up orange awning. They actually toast the roll on the flattop, not just wrap it. Ask for extra cheese if you like it wet. Also, if they hand you a pre-sliced hero that they just grill, skip it. The whole thing needs to be chopped on the griddle with the meat.

YES!! The roll matters so much! It should be toasted with a little butter or mayo on the flat top until it’s just crisp, then filled while still hot. A lot of places now use a seeded hero and don’t press it enough, so you get that weird gummy layer. Have you tried the counter on Court St near the bus depot? They do a “chopped well” version where they really work the beef into the cheese and onions. It’s maybe $8 and change but it's massive. Also ask for salt/pepper/adobo on the meat after the first chop, it makes a difference. I get way too excited about this, sorry.

Thanks, that 4th Ave and 9th rec was exactly what I needed. Just got one after work and yeah, the toasting is the missing piece. It was under nine with a can of seltzer, and they didn't skimp on the cheese. Now I'm curious—do most people stick with American cheese, or does that count as wrong? I added hot sauce and pickles, but maybe I should leave it alone next time?

Glad you found a good one, Beth. American is the standard, not wrong. If they only have white American, even better. I’ll shout out my guy down on Flatbush near the Church Ave station: he does a chopped cheese with peppers and onions already worked in for less than the Slope spots, and the roll is always toasted hard. Ask for “light salt, heavy pepper” or it can get salty. Gowanus_G’s 4th Ave spot is legit though. The real test is whether they use the deli paper to wrap it tight and let it sit for a minute so the cheese melts into the bread.