The East Harlem bodega widely credited with inventing the chopped cheese
Blue Sky Deli, known to locals as Hajji’s, is the East Harlem corner store many credit as the birthplace of the chopped cheese. It sits at 1st Avenue and 110th Street, across from Jefferson Park and ringed by housing. The sandwich — chopped beef griddled with onions and spices, blanketed in melted American, and pressed on a hero with lettuce, tomato, and condiments — has drawn everyone from local regulars to national food press.
This is a working bodega, not a restaurant: order at the grill, grab a drink from the case, and go. It’s cash-friendly and open around the clock, so it works as much for a 3am craving as a lunch run. Cam’ron filmed a video here, and outlets from the New York Times to First We Feast have made the pilgrimage.
What to Expect
As a bodega, Blue Sky Deli has no happy hour and no bar. What it has is a griddle running 24 hours a day and a chopped cheese that regularly lands on best-in-the-city lists for around $6. Come for the sandwich, not a drink special.
The Room
A no-frills corner bodega: grill in back, snack and drink shelves up front, a couple of people working the flat-top. You order at the counter and eat on the move — this is a grab-and-go landmark, not a sit-down room.
Who Blue Sky Deli Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Chopped cheese run | It’s the spot many call the original, still turning out the sandwich for about $6. |
| Late-night bite | The 24-hour grill means a hot chopped cheese whenever the craving hits. |
| Food pilgrimage | National press and rap-video fame make it a bucket-list stop for NYC eats. |
| Quick lunch | A fast, cheap, filling sandwich in East Harlem with no wait for a table. |
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Blue Sky Deli FAQ
Does Blue Sky Deli have a happy hour?
No. It’s a 24-hour East Harlem bodega with no bar; the draw is its roughly $6 chopped cheese served all day and night.
Is Blue Sky Deli really where the chopped cheese was invented?
It’s widely credited as the birthplace, known locally as Hajji’s, and is frequently cited as making one of the best chopped cheeses in the city.
Where is Blue Sky Deli?
It’s at 2135 First Avenue at 110th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan, across from Jefferson Park.
What are its hours?
It operates as a 24-hour bodega, seven days a week.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Blue Sky Deli before visiting for a specific deal.