In this great city of ours, one could eat a different sandwich every day of the year—so that's what we'll do. Here's A Sandwich a Day, our daily look at sandwiches around New York. Got a sandwich we should check out? Let us know. —The Mgmt.

[Photograph: Robyn Lee]

How do you get a room full of Serious Eaters to do a unanimous happy dance around a sandwich? Layer on thick slabs of salty, crumbly white cheese, add some black beans, and top it all with a very generous helping of avocado. Then press it down until the bread turns crisp and hearty.

This is the secret to the Avocado and White Cheese torta ($8.25) at Cafe Habana, a weighty beast of a lunch in a neighborhood (Nolita) with too many overpriced dainty meals that try to impress but don't satisfy. Some other add-ins to the mix: a thin shmear of tangy chipotle mayo, some sharp slices of red onion, and a touch of sliced fresh chili; the less said about the wan tomato the better.

This isn't neat or sophisticated eating: think delightfully messy, two hands, and plenty of napkins. We dig that.

Cafe Habana

17 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012 (map)
212-625-2001
cafehabana.com

About the author: Max Falkowitz is the editor of Serious Eats: New York. You can follow him on Twitter at @maxfalkowitz.