Ever since I first heard about the opening of Salt Hanks, it was near the very top of my must-visit list. Having grown up outside the US, I didn’t discover the magic of a French Dip sandwich until moving here—and I had certainly never been to a shop dedicated entirely to perfecting it! So, naturally, I was so excited to finally check it out.
Reservations and Vibe at Salt Hanks
Getting a table was surprisingly seamless. They accept reservations via OpenTable, which makes planning so much easier. Even for a weekend lunch, securing a spot was simple.
Located right in the heart of the West Village at 280 Bleecker Street, the space itself is hip, cozy, and cute. From the moment we walked in, the staff was friendly and sweet, immediately making us feel welcome.
The Food: Crisp, Savory & Perfectly Balanced
My friend and I weren’t sure we could each finish a full sandwich, so we decided to share one along with a few sides.
- French Dip Sandwich ($34.00): Thinly shaved prime rib from Pat LaFrieda, provolone cheese, seven-hour caramelized onions, and horseradish-chive aioli served on a Frenchette Bakery baguette, accompanied by a rich au jus for dipping.
- Crispy Fries ($6.00): Delicately cut matchstick-style French fries (resembling potato straws)—perfectly crispy and ideal for dipping.
- Smashed Cucumber Salad ($8.00): Refreshing smashed cucumbers tossed in a rich sesame dressing with a kick of chili crisp.
Hands down, this was the best Salt Hanks French Dip experience I have ever had. The sandwich was everything you could want: tender, flavorful beef paired with the crunch of the Frenchette baguette and sweet caramelized onions. However, the real star was the au jus—it had such a deep, rich flavor that I found myself dipping every single bite (and even dipping the crispy matchstick fries!). The Asian-influenced smashed cucumber salad was the perfect bright, crisp counterpoint to the richness of the sandwich.
A Peek Behind the Scenes & Culinary Inspiration
While Henry Hargreaves (the creator behind Salt Hanks) wasn’t there during our visit, Chef Daniel took such wonderful care of us. He was so kind and happy to share his passion, even giving us a quick look inside the kitchen and explaining how they prepare their signature sandwich!
If you want to see Chef Daniel in action, check out this fun feature video: Salt Hanks on YouTube.
Seeing their process and tasting that ultra-tender, deeply umami beef immediately got my own chef brain spinning! It actually inspired me to start planning my own high-end twist on a steak sandwich at home. I’m thinking of taking the tenderloin steak from my Perfect Beef Tenderloin Steak with Savory Koji Sauce recipe, slicing it thin, and pairing it with a rich koji-infused reduction for dipping. (If you haven’t tried making that koji sauce yet, the deep umami notes would be absolute magic on a crusty baguette!)
The Perfect West Village Afternoon
Because Salt Hanks sits in such a prime West Village location on Bleecker Street, it’s ideal for a scenic post-lunch stroll through the neighborhood. After finishing our meal, my friend and I walked over to Bar Pisellino just down the street to round out the afternoon with a refreshing Aperol Spritz.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit—next time, I definitely want to try their coleslaw!
Visitor Information
- Restaurant: Salt Hanks
- Address: 280 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
- Reservations: Available via OpenTable
- Website: salthanks.com
