My usual bodega on Court St switched to a sweet roll and started doing the meat on a flat top with too much mayo. I don't need a panini, I need a chopped cheese. Where are you going that still does it right? Under fifteen, ideally under a tenner, in foil, not a box. Bonus if they don't ask if I want aioli.

Roll is everything. If the deli case has those hard rolls with the little cornmeal dust, you're okay. If they're using brioche, it's over. My spot on Flatbush near Church still gets it: they chop the cheese into the beef, toast the roll, and only add mayo if you say so. Peppers and onions standard. Under a tenner last I checked.

CobbleHill_C, what spot on Court St was it? I don't want to accidentally end up there. Uptown, 181st and St Nick has an old school spot that still wraps it tight in foil. No aioli in sight. The guy looks at you like you insulted his mother if you ask for anything fancy. That's my test.

Place near the Carroll St stop. I won't name it because maybe it was an off day, but they used to be solid. Now they do a brioche thing and stir ketchup into the meat too early. Flatbush_F, I'll make the trip to Church. WashHeights_W, does your 181st spot do it with the orange grease dripping down the foil? That's the level I need.

WashHeights_W, the insulted mother look is exactly right. If the guy doesn't roll his eyes when you say no mayo, I don't trust it. CobbleHill_C, if the ketchup goes in too early it turns into sloppy joe mix. Tell them easy on ketchup, heavy on the peppers. Same spot on Nostrand near the A/C? Not quite as good but open late.

Late night matters. The 181st spot closes early now, like 9 or 10. There's a bodega on 190th that does a chopped cheese after 11, but they charge extra for extra cheese and the roll is hit or miss. Still comes in under fifteen, but barely. Flatbush_F, late night around Flatbush still reliable?

Flatbush_F, you get it. Late night bodega choices fall off hard. I'm not trying to pay sit-down restaurant money for something I should be able to eat standing at the Q platform. WashHeights_W, do they use adobo at the 190th spot or just salt and pepper?

Adobo is good but too much makes it taste like a spice cabinet. While we're on the subject of getting squeezed by small stuff, this whole conversation reminds me of that earlier thread: Crosswalk ticket with bumper a few inches over the line — does a straight-on photo matter? Crosswalk ticket with bumper a few inches over the line — does a straight-on photo matter?. Everybody argued about whether an inch matters. Here an inch of roll or too much ketchup ruins the whole thing. My rule: foil tight enough to hold with one hand, wrap it twice.

Flatbush_F, yes. Double foil is the only way. If they put it in one of those clamshell containers, it steams and the bread gets gummy. Has anyone tried asking for turkey bacon on a chopped cheese? I know it's wrong, but late night sometimes that's what I want.

Turkey bacon on a chopped cheese is a cry for help, no offense. Keep it classic. I'll do extra peppers, no mayo, little ketchup, double foil. Only thing I'll maybe add is jalapeños if the bodega has the good pickled ones. You got a spot with fresh orange juice to go with it?

The OJ at most bodegas is just concentrate and half melted ice. Not worth it. Grab a pineapple Jarritos or a cold ginger ale instead. If you're near Church, the juice place two doors down does actual orange juice, but it'll cost you as much as the sandwich.

Pineapple soda with a chopped cheese is a top tier combo. The sweet cuts the grease. I'm also team jalapeños, but only the pickled ones. Fresh jalapeños on a chopped cheese are too raw. CobbleHill_C, if you find fresh squeezed OJ and a decent sandwich in the same block, tell me, because that's a unicorn.

Fair. I'm not chasing fresh OJ if it means missing the train. Plan is Flatbush_F's spot on Saturday, double foil, peppers, no mayo, pineapple soda if they have it. WashHeights_W, I'll report back. If it's not tight enough to eat one-handed on the platform, I'm holding you all personally responsible.