Thank you for the suggestions. I just left contracts in Memphis and Little Rock, so I'm more cautious than most, I'd say. I will be trying those places out for sure.

Thank you for your suggestions! I just left contracts in Memphis and Little Rock, so this isn't my first encounter with rough places, but it's good to know what the area is like according to locals before I get there.

Don't worry T, I have been here forever and had never heard of one until this post! haha

I'm not staying permanently. It will only be a few months.

I know what you mean. i never would have found it if someone didn't take me there. and. if you do! there's also the Past Antiques which is in a neat little mall/plaza up the street. there's other stuff to see and shop in there too. there's a giant dinosaur.

Could be not on their online menu or maybe they'll just make it if you ask.

Next time I go to Fox Farm I'll check it out if I remember. Otherwise, I'll probably never go to Salem lol

I’m almost positive I’ve seen it there before but i guess i could be wrong. Either way you can’t go wrong with any sandwich from there.

there's a deli in Salem CT that's worth the trip if you're mobile. they call it cheeseburger grinder or sub I think. it's right next to Two Sisters trading post which is a fun second hand/antique-y store if you're into that kind of thing.

I've been to Ray and Mikes before and they're great but I didn't know they do a chopped cheese. I looked at their menu just now and I don't see it.

It’s so good. The lady friend and I split them, they’re huge.

They really do not chop the cheese here. Maybe zois I guess

It’s worth it. It’s one dude that runs the place and he is a really nice guy. It is a few bucks more but I’m fine with it. Ray N Mikes in Hamden is also a top notch place to get a chopped cheese or any kind of sub.

Thanks for the explanation! I had not ever heard of this. You're the best!!

Small world, I actually just drove by there and that's what spurred the post as I was thinking that I had never eaten there and then my ADD brain made a couple jumps to chopped cheeses and how I hadn't had one in a while.

EDIT: Just looked at their website. Although everything looks and sounds amazing, unless the fucker weighs 4lbs, I can't rationalize $15 for a sub.

This isn’t the place for a chipped cheese

it's a new york city sandwich invented by yemeni bodega owners in upper manhattan. kind of a cross between a cheeseburger and a cheesesteak. it's blown up quite a bit in recent years and you can get hipster versions all over the country.

Why? Would you move there?

i don't know how many deli's/bodegas around here make a cheap, ny-style chopped cheese, but you can get a really good (though slightly more expensive) version from munchies on state street. highly recommended.

Newbie to CT/N England: what is chopped cheese?

Welcome. People commented on the neighborhood accurately… For dive bars, agreed on Three Sheets. Westville has a couple- one is New West. Less dive but very local and also non-commercialized: the Cannon, and Dangles

Er, kinda wish you checked with us before committing to that area if concerned about safety. Not the worst area, but far from good.

As far as your car, you can do some things to dissuade thieves. First, get wheel locks. While not foolproof, it helps. Gorilla is one brand that’s common. Secondly, I know it’s old school, but get The Club. And lastly, never leave anything of value inside.

Not a great area. But it’s busy by the supermarket and by the intersection with Kimberly Ave., which is good. It will likely be pretty desolate at night, should be better during the day. Motor vehicle thefts are pretty common throughout New Haven, as well as catalytic converter thefts. Might depend on the make/model of your car.

Latest New Haven crime stats by neighborhood (Compstat):

https://www.newhavenct.gov/government/departments-divisions/new-haven-police-department/compstat-reports/-folder-329

Lambert St. is located in Hill South district (the greater neighborhood is called The Hill). According to the latest report, gunshots were heard on Button St., close to Lambert, and Hurlburt St. a few blocks away from Lambert. There were a couple robberies in the district and 1 car stolen from a nearby garage (by Ikea, on the outskirts of the district). These reports are compiled every week or two.

Just stay alert, don’t wear headphones while you’re walking, and lock your car. I think you’ll be fine if you take basic precautions. Most violent crime isn’t aimed at random individuals, so likely people will just leave you alone.

As for bars: a lot of the old dives are sadly gone, but Three Sheets is fun.

Eta: if you like live music, check out Cafe Nine, it’s pretty divey. We have a lot of music coming through, bigger acts at College Street Music Hall. The Yale art museums are really good and free. Try New Haven style “apizza” at Sally’s, Modern, or Frank Pepe’s. Lots of good restaurants. East Rock, Wooster Square, and Westville are fun neighborhoods to check out. Edgerton Park is very pretty and quiet, has a cool greenhouse that’s nice to visit in the winter. East Rock Park is popular for hiking. Take a train to NYC, the commuter rail is called MetroNorth and it brings you to Grand Central in 2 hours.

I'm sure you'll be fine

Deff not the best. Not the worst either. Just be vigilant at night. You’ll be fine