Hello November 3rd!

Happy National Sandwich Day, my fellow sandwich lovers!  In light of this holiday (celebrated nationwide if course), chefs from Chez Henri and Roxy’s grilled cheese truck plan to duel it out with a traditional sandwich-off: American grilled cheese vs. well.. Cuban Cubans.  I attempted to make a reservation (on Monday!) at this battle of the sandwich geniuses, but Chez Henri had no reservation availability.  Apparently the demand for a sandwich duel is high, and we can only hope that other restaurants follow suit.  In my professional opinion, Roxy doesn’t stand a chance.  Spread, you ask?  31-3.  (Check out my post on Chez Henri’s Cubans here - http://sandwich-hands.blogspot.com/2011/04/sharing-is-caring.html)

If you're like me and terrible at planning ahead, I suggest cuddling up with your favorite sandwich tonight.  Personally, I'm going with my old favorite, the Spicy Soppressata from Monica’s!  (Monica’s post on how to order - http://sandwich-hands.blogspot.com/2011/04/hey-baby-what-kind-of-cheese-do-you.html)

Happy sandwich snacking to all!  xo

Late Night at Katz's

Apologies for the brief hiatus, Boston is running out of sandwich places I have yet to try!  This is one of the reasons I decided to leave town for the weekend (that and to see my lovely friends of course).

Rude, jam-packed and full of activity, naturally this famous sandwich shop is in the heart of NYC.  Located on the Lower East Side and open 7 days a week, and late night on Fridays and Saturdays for the young at heart, Katz’s is a historic staple of NYC and a food haven to lunch-on-the-go business men (and women!) and drunken college kids alike.  As this was my first time ever stepping foot in Katz’s Deli, Steve suggested that we try the pastrami on rye.  We waited in line, and when our turn came, questions were barked at us and we answered hurriedly.   Confused and unsure that we had even ordered, we grabbed a table and wondered how we would know when our food was ready. 



Lauren enjoying her pastrami on rye

Taking in the NYC crowd at 2 AM on Saturday night, we watched hipsters, club goers and fashionistas walk in and out of the massive shop.  With a median age of 25, the shop allowed us to comfortably slouch in the diner chairs while we texted our friends on our iPhones and complained about the service to each other.  Finally someone behind the sandwich counter yelled something in our direction, and we followed Steve to pick up our sandwiches.  Huge portions of pastrami were abstractly layered upon each other, and sandwiched between thin slices of rye bread.  And that was the pastrami on rye.  At first I was a little bewildered that the famous pastrami on rye was literally just pastrami on rye (no condiments or toppings), but after taking my first bite, the pastrami spoke for itself.  Juicy and fresh, the meat was prepared perfectly, and I did enjoy every bite of my half sandwich (I luckily split my sandwich with Lauren which was a great call).  Not going to lie though, I did need a condiment (I love condiments, what can I say), and there was a tall, plastic bottle of Dijon mustard that I happily applied and reapplied to my sandwich.  Next time, I will try the Reuben with Pastrami, and I also read (after the fact) that you can order a half sandwich.  Good to know.  All in all, I enjoyed the sandwich, but it could have used a little something (maybe Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing?).  Check out Katz’s though, you’ll fall in love with pastrami all over again.  I should also mention that the pastrami on rye cost us $15.75!  Welcome to NYC.

Late night at Katz's Deli

Follow the Silk Road!

You know those cartoon characters whose eyes bug out when a pretty lady walks by?  And their round eyeballs make a sound effect that sounds something like “boing boing”?   That’s how I felt when I took my first bite of Silk Road’s jerk chicken sandwich.  The BBQ geniuses start out by grilling and marinating spicy jerk chicken.  The tender pieces of chicken are artistically stuffed into a hot dog roll and then drizzled with tangy, fiery BBQ sauce.  To cool the spice, the perfectly lathered chicken is topped by juicy, handmade cole slaw, and OH MY GOD, the bold flavors mingle together and tickle each of your taste buds.

Silk Road is usually down in the financial district during the week, but you can check it out at the SoWa Market on Sundays too! 

Muffu-WHAT?

It's just as much fun to say as it is to eat.  As the signature sandwich in New Orleans, it was no doubt that I dragged Anoli to the place where it all started - Central Grocery.  A quaint Italian specialty store in the famous French quarter that has been serving up muffulettas to locals and tourists alike since the early 1900s.

The original muffuletta is made up of layers of Italian meats - capicola, salami, pepperoni and ham - and cheeses - provolone and emmentaler - which are then topped with a unique marinated olive salad mix.  The mix consists of mainly olives, with chunks of celery and carrots.  The bread is perhaps the most famous part of the sandwich - an oversized, round Sicilian sesame loaf, somewhat flattened.  A whole sandwich is enormous and could feed between 2 and 4 people.  Luckily Central Grocery sells half sizes as well, which for a hungry person is more than enough.  The sandwich is delicious and is a must-try for all visitors to New Orleans. 

Johnny's Po'boy's Muffuletta!

Now, I could not go to New Orleans and just try the original muffuletta.  I asked around to research where the locals thought the best muffuletta could be found.  Although Central Grocery won by a landslide, Johnny's Po'boys came up a few times.  Johnny's is another sandwich shop in the French Quarter, just around the corner from CG.  I was surprised to see that the half sandwich I ordered was larger than CG's!  After taking a couple bites and truly contemplating which flavors I appreciated more, I'm sticking with CG.  The problem with Johnny's is that the garlic in the olive salad is just so overpowering that it takes away from the basic concepts of the sandwich, i.e. the meat and the olives!  In short, go to Central Grocery - the founder of the incredibly flavorful Italian sandwich.

The #1 Muffuletta - Central Grocery's

My Ultimate Sandwich Haven

Where the magic happens - M&P's miniature kitchen

Although I have lived in Boston for nearly five years, it wasn't until this past warm, rainy Saturday that I realized Boston has a neighborhood called Bay Village.  Sandwiched between Back Bay and the Theater District, in the heart of Boston, Bay Village shies away from the rest of the city, offering gas lamps, brownstone buildings and, the main draw: Mike & Patty's neighborhood sandwich shop.  Locking up my bike across the street, I glanced in the direction of Mike & Patty's, only identifiable by the long line protruding from a nondescript door.  The picture to the left is actually taken from the farthest corner of the shop.  There are only eight chairs for those dining in, thus forcing Bostonians to hang around outside, salivating over the sweet aromas lingering in the air.

As our turn came quickly, I had barely twenty seconds to decide on a sandwich.  If you know me, I need about ten minutes longer to make a decision.  The first sandwich description that met my eyes was the torta, displayed confidently at the top of the menu offering pork, chicken or a vegetarian option.  The vegetarian option sounded deliciously unique with sweet potatoes and poblano peppers, but I carnivorously went for the pork.  Next to the sandwich menu though, there is an additional menu dedicated to breakfast, served all day.  Mouth watering delights resonate from the menu, such as the grilled banana sandwich, the breakfast torta and the bacon and egg, fancy. 

Although the innovative menu items have lingering traces of the former Mike and Patty duo, Mike has played an integral role in the menu creation, relying only on employees Jen Galatis and Steph Basiliere, along with a few special friends and customers, for feedback.  As sole owner for nearly a year now, Mike confirmed that his professional break-up with Patty was an amicable one.  “If she was Farro Salad with Marcona Almonds, Arugula and Vin Santo, I was Chili Dog.  With a locavore slant,” he elegantly explains.  The two are former employees of the South End Formaggio, although with opposing geographical interests.  Describing his cuisine as North American, Mike delves into the pieces of his life that have crafted the menu.  To start, he is Canadian and represents his home base with Peameal Bacon, ketchup chips and specials like tourtiere and butter tarts.  He has lived in Boston for half of his life which explains the American influence, leaving only Mexico, a place he called home for six months in his early twenties.  “I always wanted to include Mexican and Tex-Mex and Southwestern, and to do so with respect for those much different traditions, but without feeling like I needed to be beholden to notions of authenticity,” Mike elaborates.

A resident of the South End, Keith Bachyrycz has been a patron of Mike & Patty’s for two years.  His beloved sandwich is the Bacon and Egg, Fancy, and he even orders breakfast sandwiches to bring to work for his whole team to enjoy.  Alan Inacio, one of Keith’s co-workers, favors the same sandwich, with turkey chorizo.  Alan exclaims, “The bacon egg, fancy is everything the Egg McMuffin can never be.  Fresh ingredients, made to order, high end quality in every bite.”

"Get in my belly!"

Sipping my freshly squeezed orange juice, I allowed myself to get lost in the ambiance of the petite shop.  Mike, with the help of three young women (who looked to be in their early 20s), worked diligently in the miniature open air kitchen as top 40s hits played on a hidden radio.  Watching in awe and anticipation as they carved out ripe avocados, hand mixed cole slaw and sliced open fresh rolls of bread, it was clear to see that this place was authentic.  Specials cheerfully shouted from paper plates displayed throughout the shop, while assorted hot sauces lined a nearby shelf.  My friend Jess and I planted ourselves at two bar stools by the window, within arms reach of the hot sauces.

Nearing the slurping stage of my orange juice, my name was called out and I quickly jumped up to grab my sandwich.  Captivated by bright, juicy jicama slaw, I politely waited for Jess to get her sandwich as barbequed pulled pork gushed from the edges of the fresh, plump sesame roll in front of me.  Bright green avocado slices playfully nestled among pieces of pork, creamy goat cheese, and a smooth refritos spread.  The soft bread roll was lovingly left closed on one end for easy eating.  The first bite left me feeling giddy with sheer excitement, thinking this is everything a sandwich should be.  The owner, wearing a chef's hat, eagerly looked over at us, capturing our first reactions. 

Between massive mouthfuls, Jess and I shouted over to each other proclaiming words of praise for the flavorsome masterpieces.  In a messy fit of passion, I ate every last piece on my plate.  Blissfully leaving the sandwich shop feeling completely satisfied, I reminisced about my sandwich experience the whole ride home, dreamily wondering when I'll find my way back to Bay Village.

Dear Sandwich King,

Although your made up words seem a bit tacky, you make up for it with your sandwich skills.  If I come to Chicago, can you make me that Greek gyro?

Yours Truly,

Sandwich-Hands

Lobster Roll Challenge

(Above: Lobster roll from B&G)

The weather got burning hot here in Boston, and I found myself craving the quintessential summertime sandwich – the lobster roll!  Greedily, I asked friends and family members to take part in a challenge around Boston to determine which restaurant hot spot serves up the best roll.  Let’s take a quick history lesson for our friends outside of New England (and even those inside that still don’t know the difference between a Maine and Connecticut lobster roll!).

Feelings have been hurt and friendships torn apart as a result of the Connecticut vs. Maine lobster roll debate.  Maine (or New England) lobster rolls are predominately made with a chilled lobster “salad”, lightly coated with mayonnaise, while the Connecticut lobster roll is filled with lobster tossed with hot butter.  Both are served on a hot, buttered hot dog roll and usually served with a side of fries (this is America after all).

Ashima enjoying her favorite lobster roll!

That being said, my friend Cat from London took part in the ultimate lobster roll competition between B&G Oysters and Neptune Oysters.  Having never had a lobster roll before in her life, it was determined that she would be the unbiased human specimen we needed.  Completely biased, I wanted to like Neptune Oyster, it being in my neighborhood and always having a line out the door.  The restaurant has received numerous awards for the best lobster rolls in the city.  Ashima, on the other hand, has given Barbara Lynch’s B&G soaring reviews and stubbornly believes they deserve recognition for the best lobster roll.  Happily accepting the challenge, we checked out both restaurants.  Neptune actually has both the Maine and Connecticut rolls, so Cat and I were able to order both and share.  I may be partial to the Maine lobster roll (again not sure if there’s a biased there being from New England), but Cat decided that they are both truly satisfying in their own way.  She noted that Maine lobster rolls were paired best with a picnic or at an outdoor sporting game, while the Connecticut roll would be perfect on a midsummer night’s eve.

(Above: Beautiful lobster chunks in B&G's roll!)

Without further ado, Cat and I both agreed that B&G’s lobster roll is superior.  In their lobster roll, colossal pieces of succulent lobster are lightly coated in a tart mayonnaise - the best part is that you can’t even see the mayonnaise!  Intense lobster flavors aren’t masked my globs of mayonnaise as they usually are, and each bite is a bite of lobster roll heaven.   Shout-out to Ash for introducing me to the perfect lobster roll!

The Burger KING?

Often proclaimed for having the best burgers in the Boston area, Mr. Bartley's even received the title of "best burgers in America" from the Boston Globe (I'm sure there is no bias).  No doubt that this is one historical landmark (open since 1960), lounging smack in the middle of Harvard Square with massive lines jutting from the door just about every day.  I was a little skeptical at first because the place is entirely too touristy.  As you wait in line, a hostess gives you menus and comes back to take your order so that when you do eventually get seated, your burgers arrive not too long after.

Although the line was long, it moved quickly and within 20 minutes, Cat, Jess and I were seated.  Beverages were immediately set down in front of us, along with the s'mores frappe we ordered to share.  The frappe was incredibly comforting; fresh chocolate ice cream, graham crackers and whipped cream cycloned together to create a classic milkshake.  As waiters shouted over to chefs and school kids laughed in a corner, I observed the condiment selection at our table.  Ketchup and mustard, the standards, were available in plastic tubes, along with little buckets of toppings: sliced sandwich pickles, thick white onions, and a hot pepper jelly.

Our three burgers arrived swiftly, and I excitedly bit into my juicy burger topped with sauerkraut and Russian dressing.  Sizzling with moistness, the burger was anything but neat, and I indulged in the flavors and juices composed in each bite.  Admittedly, I may like the standard burger at Mr. Bartley’s more (than the beloved R.F.), but the bun, which was a bit soggy, is far superior at R.F.  As a complete package, R.F.’s BlackJack, slathered with Cajun spices, is still #1 in my eyes, but wow.  Mr. Bartley’s did not fail to impress me.

Additional photos taken inside and outside (note line out the door!!)

DuckFAT!

After a whitewater-rafting-drinking extravaganza weekend in central Maine, our crew of eight decided to find a sandwich shop in Portland, Maine’s largest city.  Extensive Google research led us to Duckfat, a quaint restaurant downtown boasting “the best fries on this side of the pond”. 

Proving its popularity, the sandwich shop had about an hour wait.  Thanks to our friend John’s tenacity, we actually waited, lingering down by Portland’s harbor to kill time.  Passing many restaurants, bars and shops, we crossed tiny, cobblestone streets back to Duckfat.  Luckily, and some might even say fated, eight seats patiently waited for us outside.  Excitedly, we skimmed the menu and quickly ordered two large cones of the hand cut Belgian fries with various dipping sauces – truffle ketchup, garlic aioli, Thai chili mayo and Raye’s sweet and spicy mustard.  The waiter recommended a house made Sunburst soda, a citrus blend with anise and tarragon spices, which was crisp and refreshing.  I couldn’t have been happier with the soda and I might even attempt to make it at home.

Our long awaited Paninis finally arrived in front of us.  Tim and I split the Spicy Italian and the Special (house made chicken and pork sausage, onions and peppers with a sweet and spicy mustard house made mustard spread).  Even after trying some of the other mouth-watering choices (Cal ordered the house made meatloaf and Kate had the B.G.T., bacon, goat cheese and tomatoes), the Spicy Italian was the clear winner in my mind.  Fresh slices of salami, capicola and provolone were nestled between two condiments: on top, a dark green, pesto aioli, and on the bottom, a bright red, hot pepper relish.  Vinegar, basil and hot pepper flavors screamed out of the hot, crispy Panini bread.  Every ingredient was made in-house, which made it extra special.  Looking around at our friends, it was clear that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed their meals.  We were so satisfied, we didn’t have room left to order the milkshakes, churros or beignets, but I hear they are just as delicious.  If Duckfat doesn’t come to Boston anytime soon (I’m not holding my breath), I will definitely be making a trip to Portland again. 

Just Falafs

I can't lie; I didn't come up with that title all by myself. There's actually a falafel place in London, right in Covent Garden, called Just Falafs, and every time I eat a falafel, I think about the clever shop name.

As Boston is not the most culturally diverse city, it is not surprising that good falafels are hard to find. I've tried a few Mediterranean places in Boston and was actually shocked that some restaurants serve falafel plates and not pita sandwiches. These places include Steve's Greek Restaurant on Newbury (if you go here, you must try their saganaki - amazing!), and Oleana, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in Inman with an incredible falafel plate. Black Seed Café & Grill on Tremont isn't bad, a bit unconventional as they use banana peppers... And the only condiment available for the pita is tahini sauce. What, no hot sauce? How can you eat a falafel with no hot sauce?

My desperate search for the falafel continued. Proudly claiming to be of half Lebanese descent, my friend Jess took Div and I to a lesser known Middle Eastern restaurant called Café Jaffa, on Gloucester St. between Boylston and Newbury. With a selection of worldly beers, the restaurant provided the three of us with seats in a dark corner to peruse the section labeled "Middle Eastern Sandwiches". Tempted to order the falafel, the waitress actually recommended the Schwarma Combo, which is chicken and some kind of lamb/beef mixture. The sandwich was made-to-order, and it came out on a heaping plate with lettuce, tomatoes, tahini sauce and extra hot sauce on the side. The sandwich was clearly fresh, but even I had a difficult time eating it. I looked over at Div, and chuckled when she didn't even bother to try picking this one up with her hands. About half way into it, I had to switch too, which sort of takes away the concept of a sandwich. The ingredients mixed with the condiments were delicious, but I'm sure the falafel would have been just as difficult to eat.

Continuing, my friends Ashima and Neel live in the South End next to a charming café called "Pita", or at least that's what it says on the bright red awning. On their website, they refer to themselves as South End Pita, but I could really care less. What matters is that their pita "roll-ups" are incredibly satisfying at only $5 a sam(mich)!! The restaurant delivers, but you can dine in too. The café is quaint and cozy, serving both beer and wine. The ingredients are fresh and the owner is a sweetheart. He'll make your sandwich just the way you want it and if you want extra hot sauce, he'll give you a huge bowl of it with a smile! (He stopped smirking when he saw me finish every last drop.) I've tried both the falafel and the chicken schwarma, and although they are both fantastic, I must say that the chicken schwarma is out-of-this-world good. The fresh bread is stuffed with tomatoes, cucumbers, tahini sauce and a spicy garlic red sauce. Seasoned chicken breast is cooked slowly on an authentic vertical rotisserie, and then thinly sliced. The pita is rolled up very tightly, and pressed in some kind of glorified Panini-maker. The roll-up is cut in half and couldn't be easier to eat, even though it's gushing with condiments. Feel free to sub the schwarma for falafel, you won't be disappointed. Dine in, have a glass of wine and pretend you're on a Turkish Island, or perhaps in Egypt, where the falafel is thought to be first invented.

Ula-la!

Sweet Potato Sandwich (2011)

Director: Ula Café

Awards: Herbivore-approved


Cast:
Sweet Potatoes (lead)
Avocado
Monterey Jack
Bell Peppers
Red onions
Sprouts
White Bread

Storyline:
In this epic tale of ravenous delight, roasted Sweet Potatoes are slathered in a yogurt-tahini-poppy sauce and stuffed between two slices of fresh White Bread. Thinly sliced Red Onions meet chunky Avocado slices as they get sheltered between special guests Monterrey Jack and red Bell Peppers. Finally, the audience is captivated by the truly palpable tension that continues to grow between Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes. This ultra-smart-mouthed creation is a must-see (and must-try!).

Quotes:
“Mmmmm…”

DIY Gourmet Sandwich

Inspired by the “Bangin’ Blueberry” pesto (Pestos with Panache by Lauren) that I picked up at the SoWa market, I made a sandwich from one of their recipes for dinner. Living in the North End, picking up ingredients isn’t exactly convenient. I took my bike out, and started filling my basket with a baguette, a few slices of fresh asiago cheese and 1/8 pound of pancetta from Monica’s Trattoria on Salem St. I ran over to Going Bananas down the street to pick up some arugula before heading home with my supplies.

Although the recipe calls for a Panini maker, who really has one of those? I preheated my toaster oven, and waited a long 5 minutes until the bread looked perfectly toasted, with bits of sizzling asiago cheese seeping out from the edges. Before putting my dinner on a plate and bringing it to the table, as any chef, I had to take a bite to make sure the ingredients combined properly. The sweet, but tart blueberry pesto perfectly coupled with the bitterness of the arugula and the saltiness of the pancetta. The asiago cheese added sophistication to this incredibly easy-to-make sandwich. I recommend getting a fresh loaf of bread because the bread can make or break a sandwich. The pesto actually comes in five other flavors: fabulous fig and gorgonzola, decadent dark chocolate and ancho chile, pumpkin chipotle, prosciutto and smoked almond, and succulent strawberry. Although a huge fig fan, the blueberry pesto was by far my favorite. With a slight tart flavor, the blueberry pesto makes an excellent condiment not only for sandwiches, but also for pasta, pancakes and pizza!

Backpacker's Delight

Backpacking through Eastern Europe, Jara and Roy aimed to spend as little as possible by packing this light sandwich in their bag for many quick lunches and dinners. The ingredients are quite simple:

- 2 slices of whole wheat bread
- tomato slices
- cheddar cheese (Are those Kraft singles? J&R, how did you manage to find those?)
- crushed potato chips (Personally I would opt for salt & vinegar, but I can't be sure what kind this adventurous couple used!)


When Anoli and I traveled through the Baltics, we certainly were not saavy enough to grab leftovers from our all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets. Our lunches often consisted of a fresh baguette with whichever kind of berry jam we could find. And a bottle of wine. Sandwich, you ask? Of course. If you get the opportunity to travel out there, our favorite food was cold beetroot soup. I know what you're thinking, but don't judge a soup by it's name...it was honestly fantastic.

Flashback Pizza

Walking into a bustling 1980's-era pizza shop, with Neil Sedaka's "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" cranking on the jukebox, my dad and I felt like we had somehow been transported in time to the days of hoop earrings, ripped jeans and pay phones. The bar at Santarpio's in East Boston (Eastie? Do people call it that?) subtly reminded me of my parents' basement only with hardwood floors, brighter lights and one of those plastic neon-blue Pepsi-Cola clocks. Attempting to take in the ambiance, I snapped back to reality as a man at the grill shouted "How many? How many?" over and over again. I looked at my dad, and we silently agreed to sit at the bar...was the grill guy asking how many people? Or how many skewers of meat we wanted? A question for next time perhaps.

Carl the bartender introduced himself almost immediately. The warm, friendly faces around us made me wish the millennium had never happened. People were so friendly in the 90's. I hear you could leave your front door unlocked at all times and no one would even think to rob you. Anyways, my dad and I skimmed through the short menu as Carl told us a little about the place. Apparently Santarpio's opened in 1903, and the same family has been managing the business since. The menu has never changed and probably never will. Boxing paraphernalia hang from the walls along with a Labatt Blue light-up sign. Families and friends of all ages yell back and forth to each other across tables and a line started to form out the door. "Rainy Tuesdays bring a lot of business", I commented to Carl. A local next to us replied, "So do Sunny Saturdays, and Snowy Thursdays". Looks like Santarpios isn't the hidden gem I thought it was, but it's definitely worth the hike.

Dad and I ended up ordering the steak tip skewers and a half garlic, half mushrooms, onions and hot peppers pizza. Carl told us that the garlic pizza was his favorite, and he did not steer us wrong. As the hot, steaming pizza appeared in front of us, it looked like an artistic masterpiece. Chunks of tomato sauce crept out from a generous layer of melted, sizzling cheese. The dough had been tossed to perfection, the underside coated in cornmeal to prevent the cheese from melting into the crust to cause emancipated disappointment. My dad and I grabbed a couple slices of the garlic pizza. As if we were in a race, we housed the entire first slice in what felt like just a few bites. Having an out-of-body experience, my ghost-self was telling me to stop eating so quickly. "Your mouth is burning, let the pizza cool down!" It was worth it though. Santarpio's was definitely the best pizza I've had in New England. Probably ever, if you don't include Chicago-style pizza, which is in a league of its own.

Some of you may be wondering why I'm writing about pizza in a sandwich blog. You may even be surprised to hear that I like food outside of the sandwich realm. Here are my random thoughts on pizza in relation to sandwiches:

Pizza - an American staple food, almost as popular as the sandwich. I do think there can be pizza sandwiches when they are in the form of pizza bagels or English Muffin pizzas. How could one differentiate between a slice or pie of pizza and an open-faced sandwich though? Couldn't a slice or pie of pizza in essence BE an open-faced sandwich? And then on the topic of open-faced sandwiches, can these really be called sandwiches? The jury's still out on this one, but my initial thought is no. But why not? Why can’t everything eventually branch off from the sandwich kingdom? i.e. Burritos, pitas, wraps. I’ve participated in extensive debates on this topic with friends and strangers alike, and it seems like the answer isn’t as clear as many would like it to be.

America's Street Food

Overly excited by Boston’s compliance with the latest nationwide food truck craze, Ev, Kate and I headed to the SoWa market off Harrison Ave. Among the food trucks were Bon Me featuring Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, Silk Road BBQ, Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese and the Clover truck (usually parked by South Station). Lazily snacking on Grillo’s famous pickles (try the spicy!), we struggled to decide on a truck when a woman walked by with the most attractive looking stuffed pita. Eagerly, we asked her what she was eating, and she pointed in the direction of the Clover truck. The chickpea fritter sandwich was as delicious as it looked. Crispy chickpea fritters (which you could call falafels) were gently coaxed by smooth hummus, confidently topped with fresh pickles, tomatoes and lettuce. The crown of the pita is stuffed with bright purple cabbage, carrots and a drizzle of tahini sauce. Together, the ingredients create a vibrant, lively meal that almost looks too artistic to eat. During our intimate engagement with our sandwiches, several food enthusiasts stopped by to ask us what we were eating...it actually looks (and tastes) THAT good.

It's the Little Things

I've made it perfectly clear how I feel about 21A's sliders (check out http://sandwich-hands.blogspot.com/2011/04/10-things-i-hate-about-you.html if you haven't already!), but I recently had the opportunity to try two extraordinary sliders in the most unexpected places. One was at East Meets Northeast in Inman Square. This tapas-inspired modern Chinese restaurant has a rare find on its menu - a pork belly slider. It's hidden under the "breads" section of their menu and reminded us of BBQ pork buns you would get at dim sum…only better. The bread is actually a steamed bun, extremely soft to the touch. It is cut in half and filled with crispy pork belly, daikon and a sweet bean paste. The slider literally melts in your mouth and has the most intense flavors. We couldn't stop at just one, and neither will you.


Next up on our tribute to all things small: sliders at Island Creek Oyster Bar. Not your standard beef sliders, these crispy sliders are made of Island Creek Oysters, lime and chili aioli, sandwiched in a brioche roll. After a few glasses of champagne on a gorgeous, sunny Saturday afternoon, these sliders were exactly what we needed. Ev, Kate, Div and I were silent for a good 5 minutes as we tried to take the smallest bites possible to prevent the flavors from ever ending. Alas, they did, and we were sad to see them go so quickly. I could have easily put down a few more of these. ICOB, we will be back.

The Accidental Discovery

All signs pointed in one direction, we just couldn't see it yet.

It was Saturday night. The time was approximately 11:30 PM when I stood perplexed with Matt and John, trying to think of a place to get some decent food. Laughing and joking as we reminisced about college for most of the night, we all realized we had completely skipped dinner. We asked a bartender at the Barking Crab for suggestions, but his response was that it would be tough to find a kitchen that stays open after 11. (Seriously Boston, what do you have to say for yourself?) A cartoon light bulb went off in my head as I excitedly told Matt and John about the Friendly Toast in Kendall Square. This eclectic, hipster joint serves breakfast all day long until 1 am (along with sandwiches, salads and burritos!).

As fate would have it, there was a sign on the door revealing that the Friendly Toast was closed due to a water outage. Gutted, we wandered over to the Cambridge Brewing Company to see if any locals could give us some direction. The bartender, in an extremely decisive fashion, advised us to go to Hungry Mother down the street.

Timidly we walked into what appeared to be someone's living room. The adorable restaurant was filled with 20- and 30-somethings drinking beer and eating late night snacks. After we put in our beer order, we perused the extremely short menu (literally consisting of 5 items). We asked the waiter for his opinion, and he told us to order the Carolina BBQ pulled pork sandwich.

To the right is a creepy picture of Matt and John with their sandwiches - mostly creepy because of the dark hue cast over the photo (thanks to my vintage iPhone that doesn't have a flash). Also a little creepy because Matt looks like he might lean over and take a bite out of the camera. As you can see, we were all really happy when the sandwiches appeared in front of us. And why wouldn't we be? Flawlessly BBQed, tender pieces of pulled pork were topped with crunchy cole slaw and slathered between two slices of homemade white sandwich bread. Sweet and salty flavors tangled together to satisfy a countless number of taste buds, while a heaping pile of fried onion strings complemented the sandwich perfectly. At 12:30 AM, this sandwich was exactly what we had all been craving.

We could have skipped dessert which was really talked up by our waiter. Sugar hungry, we ended up ordering some kind of honeycomb panna cotta. The panna cotta had a strange carbonated taste to it, and the over-salted honeycomb stuck in the crevices of our teeth. Regardless of dessert, Hungry Mother was a great, accidental find! The restaurant has a full dinner menu during regular hours too. Based on their late night pulled pork sandwich, I can't wait to see what else Hungry Mother has to offer.

I've been Rabe'd!

After my college roommate Kate introduced me to Taylor, a DC-based sandwich shop, I have been on a quest to find a comparable sandwich in Boston. Preferably one with sharp provolone and sautéed broccoli rabe. I knew this would be a difficult mission. Taylor’s run by a couple hipster babes that travel all the way to Philadelphia, every morning, to pick up loaves of bread. They mean business.

On my expedition, I managed to find one almost comparable sandwich – which is a better compliment than it seems. To start off, Nick Varano’s Famous Deli, in the North End, has a few sandwich options with broccoli rabe. I usually mash Joe Dimaggio’s and Don Deluises’s signatures to create a sandwich with fresh breaded chicken cutlet, broccoli rabe and sharp provolone on ciabatta. Admittedly, it is pretty satisfying and usually my go-to on account of availability and proximity. The shop is cheesy and touristy, but, unlike many sandwich places in Boston, it is actually open on weekday nights. (One of my complaints to the city of Boston, right after the no happy hour law.)

Nick Varano’s isn’t the one though.

One day a few months ago, Kate, Ev and I were out seeking adventures in Brookline when we came across a sandwich shop called Cutty’s. Unfortunately we showed up a little late, and they had already run out of their slow-roasted pork, only available on Saturdays. I went for the “spuckie”, fennel salami, hot capicola, mortadella, hand-pulled mozzarella, and olive-carrot salad – all craftily placed in a fresh loaf of ciabatta (bread made my Iggy’s). The sandwich is toasted and delicious. The olive-carrot salad is unique and adds a subtle, crunchy bite to the flavorsome sandwich. It’s a creative twist to the traditional Italian.

Fast-forward to this past weekend, when I showed up at Cutty’s doorstep once more. Intrigued that they only sell the slow-roasted pork on Saturdays, Div and I split the pork rabe (photo to the right) and the pork fennel. The rabe is sautéed and placed on top sharp provolone while the fennel is pickled and topped with roasted garlic. Both specials come on a sesame seed roll, but only the rabe is served hot. To curtail any suspense, I’ll tell you straight up that the rabe is truly the superior sandwich. The sautéed broccoli rabe seeps garlic and olive oil into the hard, crusty roll, and the sharp provolone melts right into the perfectly roasted pork. I have no idea why this delightful sandwich is only available on Saturdays, but I’ll definitely be back for more. Well done, Cutty’s.

California Love

As an east coast girl, leisurely lunches, skateboards and shirtless men were practically supernatural phenomena to me. Yet, I now feel like an explorer who has just discovered uncharted territory - San Diego. Ponce de Leon should have searched for the fountain of youth in San Diego, year 2011. Maybe Doc Brown would have let him use his DeLorean DMC-12.

Not only does San Diego have surfer babes, perfect 75 degree weather and the best zoo in the country, it also has far superior sandwiches. Even though Care was getting married in 24 hours, she picked me up from the airport and we went straight to a little sandwich shop close to Pacific Beach. I can't even remember the name of it; it was definitely a woman's name. Betty's or Veronica's. Maybe I'm just thinking of the Archie's. Regardless, it was a standard sandwich shop, little tables with umbrellas outside. I ordered an 8" with capicola, ham, salami and pepperoni (not the healthiest choice), hot peppers, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, mayo and "special sauce" (thousand island?). The sandwich was toasted and served on a paper plate. We sat outside and as the California breeze played with our hair, we happily munched on our delicious sandwiches. I don't know if it was the bread, the meat, or my vacation mind that made that sandwich taste so good, but I swear, that was one of the best sandwiches I have ever had.

I should also give a shout out to the Sweet & Savory Café on Mission Boulevard. I got a couple sandwiches from here - the Brie, filled with oven roasted turkey, thinly sliced granny smith apples, imported brie cheese and a tangy cranberry mayo, and the Tri-Tip, coffee spice rubbed tri-tip, roma tomatoes, mixed greens, smoked gouda cheese and a roasted garlic mayo. Both sandwiches were fantastic, I even heard a few people in the café talking up the garlic mayo. The breakfast sandwiches looked really good too, unfortunately I just didn't have enough time to try one. I loved this place though. Grab a sandwich, walk out to the boardwalk, find a bench and watch the skateboarders cruise by you. It's a good life, but I do enjoy faster-paced Boston.

Lastly was the Bare Back Grill. Jill drove in from LA, and we ventured out to Pacific Beach for a good burger. Some new friends from the wedding raved about the Bare Back Grill and their New Zealand style burgers, so we decided to give it a shot. We both ordered the Kiwilango, recommended to us by our beautiful waiter (he could have told us to order scorpion tongue and we probably would have). The burger was made with 100% organic beef, blue cheese crumbles, fresh diced jalapenos (not the pickled kind!), lettuce, tomato, red onions, hot sauce, aioli and BBG sauce. And finally topped with crushed tortilla chips. I'm not sure what exactly the BBG sauce was made of, but it tasted a lot like a tangy BBQ sauce. The burger was outstanding, not quite up to R.F. O's standard, but still incredibly satisfying.

Oh San Diego, I’ll miss you. But I did get back to Boston just in time for lobster roll season.

/ˈbʌnmiː/

Looking past the suspicious exterior of the Super 88 (now known as Hong Kong Supermarket), the food court exudes eclectic charm and authentic Asian cuisine. Brightly colored chairs, haphazardly-placed tables and energetic college students create a lively environment centered around fresh, cheap Asian food. Walking around the bustling food court, you’ll find stands featuring fare from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Korea and India. Especially popular is the bubble tea shop called Lollicup. Although all the food looked amazing (including the pho and the noodles!), Div and I weren’t there for anything but the renowned banh mi from Pho Viet. We walked up to the stand for the third time in the last month, but this time we asked for our pre-ordered spicy pork banh mis. (A bit smarter this time, Div and I called ahead to order our Vietnamese sandwiches – highly recommended. The banh mis sold out at about 7 PM.)

Thinly sliced, marinated pork was grilled, stuffed into a soft, crusty baguette, and then topped with pickled vegetables. The carrots and cucumbers were cut lengthwise and garnished with sprigs of cilantro to give the banh mi the freshest flavor. The mystery sauce – resembling sweet, salty and spicy flavors – seeped into every corner of my sandwich and literally made my mouth water.

The best part? You get all this for just $3.50. The price can’t be beat, and although you have to travel all the way to Allston for it, you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to ask for your banh mi extra-spicy!

BEEF. It’s what’s for Dinner.

Literally, but let’s start at the beginning of the night. After venturing out to Allston to finally try Pho Viet’s banh mi, we were extremely disappointed when the woman behind the counter told us they were all out of sandwiches. This is the SECOND time this has happened to me. I promised Div I would give them one more chance, but come on, Tuesday night at 7 PM and you’re out of banh mi? Trying to think of sandwich places close by, we drove by Michael’s Deli (an Anthony Bourdain hot spot), only to find that it closes at 5:30 on weekdays.

I remembered a few friends telling me about the Brookline Spa, so we decided to check it out. Expecting a fancy, pretentious sub shop, we were pleasantly surprised by the casual, college-style deli. Although the other five customers in the shop were all dressed in gym clothes, this didn’t deter us from grabbing a six pack of Long Trail and skipping over the healthy options (salads, wraps and a section called “healthy choice sandwiches”). One board displayed a list of top 25 sandwiches, so we ended up choosing the Reuben and the Rajin Cajun.

Normally, I’d say it’s difficult to compare a hot sandwich with a cold one. In this case, I can easily say that the Reuben is miles better than the Rajin. The Reuben is served hot on marble rye bread with grilled corn beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and swiss cheese. The flavors come together pretty nicely, the sauerkraut and melted swiss cheese standing out in front of the other ingredients. The Rajin Cajun is served cold on a nondescript sub roll with seasoned roast beef, pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Oddly enough, the tomatoes are chopped into cubes instead of slices and placed right on top of the sub. Although a condiment lover, I was disappointed that the horseradish mustard overpowered the entire sandwich. Div pointed out that if you tried the roast beef by itself, you could taste the Cajun spice in which it had been seasoned. Unfortunately in the sandwich, the mustard completely took over all other flavors. Overall the sandwiches didn’t live up to their hype, but they were enjoyable nonetheless…especially with our Long Trails. I’m still intrigued to try the other 23 sandwiches on the Spa’s top 25 list, so if you have one that you live by, let me know.

Babes in Burgerland

After reading my 10 Things I Hate About You blog on 21A's sliders, my friends admitted that they had never even tried them. Appalled, I met them at 21A after work for sliders and beers. Here are some truly extraordinary (and preposterous) photos of them enjoying their first bites.

Busted!

Sandwich-eater spotted on the train to NYC!

Comfortably sitting on the train to NYC, Div and I heard a forceful crunch before the train had even left the station. Looking around anxiously, I knew I had heard that crunch before. It sounded just like a bite does when your teeth hit a crackly baguette filled with crisp lettuce formed around juicy tomato slices. I wish I knew what kind of sandwich he was eating. This led to a new game - "What kind of sandwich guy is he?". My guess was prosciutto and mozzarella, while Div's was tuna salad. (Her speculation was a bit skewed because she caught him watching Real Housewives on his laptop. Busted again!) Between inventing lines to the movies our fellow passengers were watching on their laptops, and the sandwich game, we were entertained for hours.

In the Heat of the Moment

Isn’t this a fantastic photograph? You can actually see the moment when Neel reached his peak of full intimacy with Benny. Oh come on, Neel is happily married (to a woman), and I’m referring to the Benny, Parish Café’s chicken banh mi (actually Ken Oringer’s innovation), served on a hard baguette with assorted vegetables and mint-coriander mayonnaise. The sandwich is paired with spicy purple cabbage slaw topped with tomatoes, fresh mint, Thai basil and cracked peanuts. The sandwich is delicious to say the least, but I do prefer their pulled pork with a papaya salad on side. I usually scoop up the delicious papaya salad, mingled with mint and peanuts, and throw it right on top of the pulled pork. The flavors are outrageous and the pork literally melts in your mouth. I'm actually craving one right now. Maybe with a frosty Corona to cure my post-Cinco de Mayo hangover.

I’ve tried the Mexican Meatball Sub also (Rattlesnake Bar and Grill), one day during my meatball obsession, and it was just okay. The menu makes it sound amazing – cilantro infused Mexican meatball sandwich with a chipotle and jalapeno au jus, pepper jack cheese, red onions, lettuce and tomatoes on a toasted baguette. Don’t be fooled. You’re definitely better off trying something else on the menu.

Parish Café is such a creative idea for a restaurant, featuring gourmet sandwiches created by chefs around Boston (and the Greater Boston area) - almost makes you wish you had the idea first!

And the vote is in..

http://www.isawrapasandwich.com

Sandwich Soirée

All glammed up in heels, pearls and lace, Kate and I voyaged over to the Beehive for dinner before an out-of-the-ordinary-fancy-dress fundraiser soirée. Sitting at the buzzing bar, we perused the menu for something that would thoroughly soak up large quantities of alcohol. The short rib grilled cheese sandwich caught our eyes almost immediately.

When the massive sandwich appeared in front of us, I had never been happier to share. Sizzling melted cheese trickled out of two thick slabs of soft, toasted brioche, and together they sandwiched an alluring portion of juicy, barbequed pulled beef. Sliced horizontally, even half of this superhero-equivalent sandwich was enough for a meal! Accompanied by mouth-watering cole slaw and pickles, the whole dinner was sinfully satisfying. Although the Bohemian décor and live jazz music create an eclectic, funky vibe, the grilled cheese was really what stole my heart.. ok fine, and the cute French babe crafting our drinks behind the bar!

The Earl

Arguing between Sbarro’s and the Earl of Sandwich at Logan Airport’s international terminal, I watch as a girl marches past her boyfriend toward Sbarro’s. Not so subtly, her boyfriend exclaims that the Earl’s is rumored to have amazing sandwiches. She shrugs, and simply states that she is not in the mood for a sandwich. I stare on in disbelief, as my heart fills with empathy. That poor sandwich-lover is not going to get the opportunity today to try Earl’s self-acclaimed "world's greatest hot sandwich”. Slightly in awe that the couple couldn’t just opt for different meals, I stand in Earl’s long line eagerly anticipating one of his famous hot sandwiches.

Scoping out the variety of options, I finally settled on the Caribbean Jerk Chicken to get me in island-vacation mode. Keeping my standards low, I bit into the hot, toasty baguette, lightly filled with chicken bits, banana peppers and “jerk sauce”. The filling can be most precisely defined as more of a spread, but regardless, the sandwich was…not bad. I wouldn’t cause a scene and run through security without a flight ticket to get my hands on one, but it was far better than any other options available near my gate (which were Master Wok, Starbucks and Sbarro’s). Although lacking some classics like lettuce, tomatoes and cheese, the banana peppers mixed with the jerk sauce gave the otherwise bland chicken a surprising kick.

I won’t be bowing down to you any time soon, Great Earl, but I may give your other sandwiches a shot next time.

Sandwiches with a Smile

After living in the North End for nearly five years, it wasn’t until six months ago that I really took notice to Volle Nolle. Next to the most popular restaurant in the North End, Giacomo’s, Volle Nolle is almost hidden from the standard human eye. Shying away with its humble chocolate-colored awning, Volle Nolle is quite possibly North End’s secret local hangout. Quickly becoming my favorite Saturday pastime, I am greeted by Torri the owner and my friendly North End neighbors as soon I walk through the door. Only open Monday through Saturday, from 11 AM to 4 PM, Torri sure knows how to draw a crowd. Business owners, restaurant workers and locals alike come to Volle Nolle for its delicious sandwiches and renowned chocolate chip cookies. I’ve tried four sandwiches so far – the Cubano, Portobello, Chicken Milanese, and Grilled Ham and Cheese – and I have yet to be disappointed. The Cubano, my favorite, comes on a grilled sweet French roll, and is stuffed with juicy pulled pork, black forest ham, salami, melted swiss cheese, spicy mayo, mustard, cumin and thinly sliced pickles. The sandwich is served hot, accompanied by a large bottle of Sriracha, so you can drizzle as much as you like to give your sandwich just the right amount of spice. Torri’s sandwiches are perfectly complemented with tiny, flavorful cornichons, and if you’re lucky you may even get a free chocolate chip cookie. The Portobello is a close second, with roasted Portobello mushrooms crusted with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, baby spinach, fresh basil and basil mayonnaise.

The Chicken Milanese was a real surprise. Thinking I was ordering your average fried chicken sandwich, I was mistaken. The fried chicken breast is crusted with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, similar to the Portobello, and topped with green leaf lettuce and lemon mayonnaise on grilled French white bread. The chicken is tender and moist, and so completely flavorful. As for the last sandwich I have tried, Torri likes to call it the “adult ham and cheese” – and there really aren’t any other words that more perfectly describe this sandwich. The swiss cheese and black forest ham are flawlessly paired with caramelized onions, frisee lettuce and mustard on grilled French white bread.

Although I have yet to try all of Torri’s sandwiches, I have no doubt that I will enjoy each and every one of them. Made with love and the freshest ingredients Boston has to offer, it's easy to see why Volle Nolle is the quintessential sandwich shoppe of the North End. Grab a seat in the window, order a sandwich and a chocolate chip cookie and strike up a conversation with the friendly stranger next to you.

The "Sandwich or Not?" Game

I played a game with my co-worker Colin today called "Sandwich or Not?". Really put the ol' noggin to the test. Let's put some definitions into play before we start.

sand*wich/'san?(d)wiCH/

Noun: An item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese, or other filling between them
Verb: Insert or squeeze (someone or something) between two other people or things, typically in a restricted space or so as to be uncomfortable
Sounds like: Sand-witch (Quite possibly a mythical creature made of sand who flies around on a broomstick. Or something I just made up that makes no sense.)

The "game" went something like this:
PB and J?
Obviously a sandwich.
Take out the J, just PB?
Hmmm.. PB sandwich, ok I'll take it.
Swap the PB for butter.
Butter sandwich? No way, that's basically two pieces of toast with butter.
Bagel with cream cheese?
Only if it's a bagel sandwich, i.e. has something else in there like meat or vegetables.
You just said two slices of bread with PB in the middle was a sandwich. HYPOCRITE!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, is it really important to put a definition on something as unpretentious and amiable as the sandwich? I would like to think not. And I hate being wrong, so let's just go with that. (Also, if anyone asks, a burger IS a sandwich.)

The Great Burger vs. Sandwich Debate of 2011

After a full-blown argument with my co-workers over whether a burger is actually considered a sandwich, I decided that our conundrum equates to a simple geometry lesson. Let's talk parallelograms. A square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square. We learned this in grade school, right? So then, why didn't our teachers also educate our peers on the sandwich dilemmas of our generation? I'll step in to clarify. A burger is a sandwich but a sandwich isn't a burger. Mind-blown. Lesson over. A burger IS a sandwich. Now we can all be friends again.