Columbiyum is back again with another review! This week we had to visit Merguez and Frites, an Algerian (الجزائرية) 🇩🇿 restaurant located in Astoria. This marked our second time we've been here! Last time, after trying out the Kofta (ground beef), Kibda (liver), and Merguez (fresh sausage) sandwiches, we decided to get the merguez again. In fact, the merguez sandwich is what the restaurant is known for! At around 10$ per sandwich, the price is pretty reasonable — way cheaper than the average meal plan!

The sandwich consists of four merguez (مرقاز) sausages, usually made with lamb or beef mixed with cumin, chili/harissa, sumac, fennel, and garlic. The sandwich is filled with a good amount of french fries, and two different sauces–with one being a seasoned spicy mayonnaise, and the other being a garlic-filled sauce, similar to pesto, that left a tingly feeling on the tongue — all compacted into a foot-long baguette. No offense intended, but Chef Mike's doesn't come close!

In our opinion, this has to be one of the best sandwiches in the city. The surrounding neighborhood also possesses a much more welcoming energy in comparison to Manhattan — mostly residential and super friendly. Visit Merguez and Frites soon and get to know your city even better! صحيتو ❤️ and we'll be back soon!

Directions: Take the 1 to Times Square and transfer to the Uptown/Queens bound N or W. Take the N/W to 30 Av, then exit and walk down 30th Ave in the direction of the 32nd St signs. Take a left on Steinway and a right on 25th Ave and you'll be there!

Things to pay attention to on the way: Make sure to check out Nick Cave's 'Soundsuit' installation at the Times Square station!

Pictured: Kibda, Kofta, and Merguez sandwiches.