I've been writing about sandwiches in NYC for 14+ years. Here are 9 that no tourist should miss.

NYC is full of amazing sandwich shops worth visiting.Ted Berg

• I'm a native New Yorker who's been living in NYC since 2005 and writing about sandwiches since 2009.
• Some delis stick to the classics, like Katz's Delicatessen's tender pastrami sandwich.

Before I moved to New York City in 2005, I worked in a deli in my hometown of Long Island, New York. Although the job wasn't always easy, I took pride in the idea that I was serving up delicious sandwiches.

I started writing about sandwiches in 2009, and the bulk of my exploration, by far, has been within the boundaries of NYC. Since then, I've put together a list of New York sandwiches I think every tourist should try.

Beloved New York sandwiches — namely hot dogs, chopped cheeses, and traditional egg sandwiches — don't appear on this list. But that's not because I don't love them, they're just widely available at spots all over the city.

When I'm looking for a unique sandwich, I trust my instincts and look for new places that stand out with innovative ingredients, fun environments, and surprising combinations.