This Viral $34 French Dip In NYC Has People Waiting In Hour-Long Lines, So I Tried It

"When recipe developer and content creator Henry Laporte opened Salt Hank's in the West Village last summer, he didn't do so quietly. He set out to become, in his words, "the new sandwich king of New York City", snatching the crown from Bradley Cooper and his Philly cheesesteak throne at Danny and Coop's that had an equally exciting opening across town earlier in the year."

"The restaurant went viral on a few fronts, most notably for the length of the lines that formed at opening, the small size of the menu (two items: a French dip sandwich and a side of fries), and the high cost of those two menu items. Customers reported nearly hour-long lines stretching down Bleecker Street, and for most of the summer, my social media feeds were filled with pictures of the oozy French dip."

"The sandwich itself is gluttonous. Tucked inside a baguette from the New York-based bakery and restaurant, Frenchette, you'll find shaved prime rib from Pat LaFrieda, seven-hour caramelized onions, melty provolone cheese, and a biting horseradish aioli, served with a side of herby au jus for dipping. The fries are extremely thin and crispy - even calling them fries feels generous."

Salt Hank's opened in the West Village with notable fanfare and long lines, driven in part by Henry Laporte's large TikTok following. The menu launched with only two items: a French dip sandwich and a side of fries, both priced at a premium. The French dip features shaved prime rib from Pat LaFrieda, seven-hour caramelized onions, melty provolone, and a biting horseradish aioli on a Frenchette baguette, served with a herby au jus. The fries are extremely thin and crispy. The sandwich delivers intense umami, rich flavor, and satisfying texture, with the baguette softened but still intact. The offering generated widespread social media attention and long lines.

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