A new street-style sandwich concept is preparing to debut in Bergen County.

The Chapped Cheese is set to open in Hackensack at 163B Main Street, with a grand opening scheduled for April 4th.

The concept offers a South Asian twist on the classic New York chopped cheese sandwich.

Instead of traditional ground beef, the sandwiches feature chapli-style meat—seasoned with ingredients like coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, green chilies, onions, and tomatoes—then smashed and chopped on the griddle. The result is a sandwich with crispy edges and a bold, spiced flavor profile that sets it apart from the traditional version.

At its core, the concept blends a well-known NYC comfort food with the flavors of South Asian street cuisine, served fresh off the flat top and it’s “100% halal”.

Ownership includes local entrepreneur Basit Ahmed, alongside partners Harris Khan and Basel Aljawhary—all three are directly involved in the kitchen, developing recipes and overseeing preparation in-house.

Operating as an independent concept, Chapped Cheese is focused on building its own identity around the chapli-inspired sandwich.

The Chapped Cheese
163B Main Street
Hackensack, NJ

[photo source: The Chapped Cheese]