Perhaps it’s the spirit of Elvis haunting me, but for some reason I have been craving peanut butter sandwiches for the past few days. I happen to love peanut butter and eat it pretty regularly anyway, but occasionally I get the urge to splurge – and that’s when I head to Peanut Butter & Co.
Walking up West 3rd Street by Washington Square Park, I turn right onto Sullivan Street and just 
follow the scent of butter and bacon (what could be better than that?). I notice a retro-style little shop with a blue awning and big white block letters: "Peanut Butter & Co." I walked in and it smelled so good my stomach started rumbling. Inside they have little tables for dining, but to me it seems like more of a grab-it-and-go kind of place. I look above at the menu and am baffled by some of the sandwich combinations and peanut butters they offer – which are all natural and homemade by the way. There’s the most-popular "Elvis" sandwich: Their homemade PB, bananas, honey and bacon – yes bacon – on white bread, all grilled and gooey for your tasting pleasure (above). I’ve had this sandwich numerous times and it is to die for; the mix of savory bacon, warm peanut butter and sweet honey does a little dance in your mouth. They even make the classic "Fluffernutter" sandwich: Their homemade PB and lots of marshmallow fluff. Remember pre-K? So does Peanut Butter & Co., they make Ants on a Log! Celery sticks stuffed with your choice of homemade PB and topped with raisins. I am not a big fan of raw celery, but I was intrigued by all the different peanut butters they make, so I ordered the sampler which comes with a little bit of each one, apple slices, melba toast and carrots. The peanut butters they currently make are:
Smooth Operator – 100% natural PB; Crunch Time – PB with chopped nuts; Cinnamon Raisin Swirl (my personal fave) – PB blended with cinnamon and raisins; The Heat Is On – PB blended with fiery spices; White Chocolate Wonderful – PB blended with white chocolate; Dark Chocolate Dreams – PB blended with rich dark chocolate (my 2nd fave); The Bee’s Knees – PB blended with honey (3rd fave); and Mighty Maple – PB blended with maple syrup.
They even make sandwiches using these peanut butters, like the scrumptious "Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Sandwich": Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB stuffed with vanilla cream cheese and apple slices. YUM. The "Dark Chocolate Dreams Sandwich" is another must if you like coconut: it’s their dark chocolate PB and cherry jam stuffed with shredded coconut. Or how about one of my favorites? The "Peanut Butter Cup": Fresh ground PB and a thick layer of nutella – ask for it grilled – you will thank me.
Peanut Butter & Co. also makes regular homestyle fare like grilled cheese and tuna salad sandwiches, but I haven’t tried any of those because I love their PB so much. All of their sandwiches come with a bag of potato chips and carrot sticks too. And if that doesn’t bring back memories of sitting in the cafeteria in 3rd grade, maybe this will: you can even ask them to cut off the crusts for you. Aw, thanks mom!!
But wait! The truly best part is they package ALL of their homemade peanut butters for us to take home! You can buy them in their store, online, or at select grocery stores (I buy mine at Whole Foods or Food Emporium). Click these links if you want to order online, find a location, or click here for their homepage at ilovepeanutbutter.com.
Peanut Butter & Co.
240 Sullivan Street between Bleecker and West 3rd, 212-677-3995
