Sept. 7, 2011:  An erudite article about sandwiches in Wikipedia carries just thirteen pictures, from the lowly peanut butter and jelly sandwich to the epicurean croque-monsieur (French ham and cheese).

Bronxville sandwich artists are far more creative.  Not for them the ordinary BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato).  Instead, they display a literary galaxy in their creations, as a sampling from Park Place Bagels and Lange's Delicatessen demonstrates.

At Park Place Bagels, the favorite is the Bad Boy (chicken, bacon, Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise).  Yankee Wrap features grilled chicken and mesclun.  In a neighborly gesture, patrons are offered The Scarsdale--turkey breast with roasted peppers.  Wild Buffalo consists of buffalo strips, melted Muenster, and blue cheese.

To honor the French tribute to bravery, sample the Cordon Bleu (chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese).  The Philly offers roast beef, sautéed onions, and melted cheese.  Cheese, lettuce, and honey mustard poetically conjure up the Alpine Lace.  And for customers accustomed to rough stuff, there is the Godfather--roast beef, bacon, and Muenster cheese on a toasted garlic roll.

Around the corner at Lange's, geographical offerings loom large:  Sweet Alabama--smoked ham, melted cheddar cheese, apple, and honey mustard on seven-grain toast; Kalamazoo--hot roast beef, melted cheddar cheese, tomato, and avocado spread on a roll; and New Orleans--grilled chicken, melted pepper jack cheese, leafy lettuce, and barbecue sauce on a roll.

There are Western themes, too:  Tombstone--hot roast beef, melted white American cheese, leafy lettuce, and garlic mayo on a roll; Lone Ranger--hot brisket of beef, leafy lettuce, tomato, and Dijon horseradish sauce on rye bread; and Bonanza--hot chicken cutlet, melted havarti cheese, avocado spread, and chipolata sauce on rye.

For the Irish palate there are:  Leprechaun--hot corned beef, coleslaw, leafy lettuce, and Russian dressing on pumpernickel bread; Shamrock--hot corned beef, melted Muenster cheese, sliced pickle, and honey mustard on rye bread; and Jimmy Dee--Sausalito turkey, melted Muenster cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted garlic roll.

Naming the sandwich galaxy appears to be a group endeavor, according to one of the countermen, Big John.  "And we keep a Webster's Dictionary handy," he notes.

Pictured here:  Sign listing sandwiches at Lange's Deli.

Photo by A. Warner