Astoria's Beloved 'Sandwich King' Charlie Gordon Dies At 60

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Astoria sandwich king Charlie Gordon, who spent more than three decades behind the counter as the "Charlie" of Sal, Kris & Charlie's Deli, died Friday. He was 60.

Gordon had run the sandwich joint since 1987, when he became the shop's third owner and renamed it after legendary counterman Sal, his wife Kris and himself, according to a New York Times feature published last year.

The store's motto is "everyday is a holiday," after Gordon's go-to saying.

Christened the "sandwich king of Astoria" by his customers, Gordon served up generously stuffed heroes and rolls that were easy on the wallet, though maybe not the waistline.

He was best known for inventing The Bomb, a hero which, for $9.50 plus tax, comes "fully loaded" with Italian and American cold cuts, American and provolone cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, hot peppers and sweet peppers, topped with mayonnaise and vinegar.

It was a happy accident, dreamed up for a customer who told him to make whatever he wanted, the Times reported.

"People from everywhere come to get it," his son, John Gordon, told Patch.

The shop at 33-12 23rd Ave. built its reputation on cold cuts, and Charlie Gordon built his on kindness, generosity and humor.

"When customers would ask for hot stuff he would say, 'We don't even have heat in the store,'" John Gordon said.

The deli will be closed through Thursday, according to a Facebook post.

To honor Gordon's memory, the family suggests making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The funeral is Thursday at St. Catherine and St. George's Church in Astoria, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. He will be buried at St. Michael's Cemetery in East Elmhurst.