This joint sounds as if it should be a photo studio for infants–you know the ones with the fake background with swans or a sunset where the kid sits with a football or magic wand propped against his pudgy arm? Despite the misleading name (and its scary, superfluous exclamation point), this cheery little sandwich shop really hits the spot. Compared to the other places on ninth avenue that consider throwing a rug on the wall or painting over the stain in the acoustic tiling improving the ambiance, it feels as if somebody actually put some time into making this place not only fun and casual, but also clean and classy with its Beatlesque, yellow submarine decor. The menu is pretty basic, mostly filled with comfort food type sandwiches, including grilled cheese, tuna melts, and the portabella mushroom and mozzarella sandwich that I ordered. I generally like something that clucks or gobbles on my sandwich, but this one was big and tasty enough to satiate my hunger and leave me totally satisfied. As an added little touch, they throw a few goldfish crackers on the plate (just to drive home the cheese theme). Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference, and in the case of Say Cheese!, they seem to have the formula down. [MF]
649 9th Ave.
212/265-8840