The price of this sandwich is no joke — it’s total baloney!
A New York City deli unveiled a sandwich named for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman on Friday, as the candidate promised to tackle the steep cost of lunch if elected.
“The Blakeman,” sold at Mario’s Meats & Gourmet Deli in Queens, features freshly roasted turkey, shredded lettuce, an oil-and-vinegar vinaigrette and spicy deli mustard piled onto a hero roll.
The sandwich currently sells for $15, but Blakeman said he would lower the price to $12 if voters elect him governor on November 3.
“When I become governor it’ll be $12,” he said at the deli. “Gotta make it affordable.”
Blakeman played up the sandwich-themed event as a way to “highlight how much more expensive it has become to operate a neighborhood deli and put a sandwich on the counter compared with five years ago when [Gov.] Kathy Hochul took office,” according to a press release from his campaign.
Joe Digangi, owner of the Flushing deli, said Blakeman’s focus on cutting costs resonates after a summer marked by punishing fuel bills.
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“My whole thing is with the prices of electric and gas. The summer was ridiculous for us. We were making money, yes, but it was going in one hand and out the other,” he said.
“So, he’s big on energy costs, big on trying to help us out with knocking out those energy costs… And I have a lot of refrigerators, a lot of air conditioners in here, so it’s just a constant, you know, $4,000, $5,000 bill every month,” he said.
Blakeman’s press release said small businesses such as delis are facing steep expenses for taxes, electricity, labor, insurance and rent — costs that “ultimately affect the prices customers see at the register.”
Addison Dick, a spokesperson for the New York State Democratic Party, countered that Blakeman should back up his criticism with action.
“New Yorkers know baloney when they see it – Blakeman still has no beef with Trump’s tariffs that are sending grocery prices skyrocketing and forcing New Yorkers to spend all their bread on basic necessities,” Dick said.
When asked why his namesake sandwich features turkey, Blakeman pointed to his wife.
“My wife wants me to eat healthy,” he said. “What can I tell ya? You gotta follow orders.”
— Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden