Sanwits in the East Village
Sanwits is a Filipino sandwich shop that opened in May 2026 at 149 1st Avenue in the East Village, in the small space that previously held Rowdy Rooster. It comes from chef Eric Valdez and the Unapologetic Foods group – the team behind Naks, Semma, and Dhamaka – as a bid to introduce New Yorkers to Filipino flavors through the familiar format of a sandwich.
The short menu runs to a handful of sandwiches that do not hold back on flavor, from a lechon dip with pork asado and pork jus to a fried-chicken bagoong on a brioche bun and a ribeye caldereta in spicy beef stew sauce. It is a compact, evening-only counter spot, so expect a quick, punchy meal rather than a sit-down dinner.
What to Expect
There is no happy hour at Sanwits. It is a quick-service sandwich shop open Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, focused entirely on its Filipino sandwich lineup rather than a bar. If you are after a deal, this is not a discount-window spot – the value is in the food itself.
The Room
A small, casual order-at-the-counter sandwich shop with limited seating, tucked into a compact East Village storefront on First Avenue.
Who Sanwits Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Quick dinner | A short menu of bold Filipino sandwiches for a fast evening bite. |
| Filipino food first-timers | An approachable entry point to Filipino flavors via the sandwich format. |
| Solo grab-and-go | Order-at-the-counter service makes it easy for one. |
| Team-behind-Naks fans | From the Unapologetic Foods and Naks crew, worth a trip for followers of the group. |
More NYC Happy Hours
Setsugekka · East Village
Setsugekka is a serene Japanese matcha teahouse on East 7th Street in the East Village, where you can sit at the bar or on a tatami mat and…
Superiority Burger · East Village
Superiority Burger is chef Brooks Headley’s cult vegetarian restaurant, now settled into a roomy vintage-diner space at 119 Avenue A after…
Beauty Bar · East Village
Beauty Bar is a beloved East Village institution set inside a preserved 1960s beauty salon, complete with vintage hood dryers and salon…
Sanwits FAQ
Does Sanwits have a happy hour?
No. Sanwits is a quick-service Filipino sandwich shop, not a bar, so there is no happy hour or drink deal.
Where is Sanwits?
It is at 149 1st Avenue in the East Village, between 9th and 10th Streets, near the 1st Avenue L and Astor Place 6 trains.
What are Sanwits’ hours?
Sanwits is open Wednesday through Sunday, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and closed Monday and Tuesday.
Who is behind Sanwits?
Chef Eric Valdez and the Unapologetic Foods group, the team behind Naks, Semma, and Dhamaka.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Sanwits before visiting for a specific deal.