Hungry Bear

Go with the Greedy Bear.  And even if you don’t, the adorable man behind the counter will insist.  And you will find it impossible to say no.

With a charming smile he will tell you your burger will be ready in 8 minutes. Your stomach will grumble.  In soothing tones, tell your stomach to shut up.

When the thick slab of beef sizzles into a lovely dark shade of burnt umber, the burger artist will add a healthy slice of Comte cheese that he melts perfectly with a blow torch.  Yes, this is serious business.  Next comes a generous portion of bacon, and…wait for it…yes, ANOTHER slice of Comte cheese.  Back to it with the blow torch!  Finally, the burger is delicately placed into a supple-looking potato bun with crunchy lettuce and a plump tomato slice.  The burger monstrosity is crowned with 3 massive onion rings, and then drizzled in homemade bacon jam which may or may not be made of crack (ok fine, it's not made of crack).  I remember precariously taking the burger from this burger genius' hands.  As I gently pressed down on the top bun to close my burger, my hand sunk into the bun and some juices trickled out from the sides.

After one bite of this burger, there is no way you can put it down.  This is it.  There's no turning back.  Your stomach is finally in its happy place.  All is right with the world again.

Old Street – Red Market – Burger Bear

Bahn Mi-Oh My

Here we are in Hoi An, a cute little beach town and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Equally exciting, it's also home to Con's absolute favorite bahn mi sandwich in Vietnam! Intrigued to see how this favorite differs from the last bahn mi I had in Hue, Rachel and I ventured out into the hectic streets with hungry bellies. After passing shoe shop after shoe shop, and attempting to ignore the aggressive saleswomen, we finally landed upon Bahn Mi Phuong, a sidewalk stand selling cold drinks, meats, breads and, of course, the Vietnamese staple, bahn mi sandwiches. Chatting with a couple Americans and an Aussie, who had read about this stand on various food blogs and magazines, we excitedly awaited our turn. Ordering 2 sandwiches, we asked for everything on it, wondering what that actually meant. Minutes later, beautifully constructed bahn mis were handed to us overflowing with meats, eggs and vegetables. With huge grins on our faces and an inability to wait another minute to find a more sanitary eating spot, we immediately sat down at the dirty sidewalk table, pulling up two tiny red, plastic stools. As I examined my bahn mi, I noticed succulent pieces of chopped pork, what looked like minced pork with sautéed onions, mayonnaise (the lady behind the counter did have to clarify though), fresh garlic chunks, scrambled eggs, scallions, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and cilantro. Adding some spicy sauce from a generic bottle behind the counter, I eagerly went for my first bite. Between massive unladylike mouthfuls, Rachel and I grunted a few "oh my god"s and "mmm"s, making loud crunchy sounds when biting into the freshly baked baguette. The couple living in Indonesia watched as we quickly enjoyed the flavorsome masterpieces. This truly is street food at its finest.

Day 3: Halong Bay via Junk

Early rising for a long filled travel day to Halong Bay! The 4 hour bus ride was entertaining in itself, the highlight being a hot bowl of phö at a rest stop and many times wondering if the driver was trying to commit suicide by driving directly into oncoming traffic. Halong Bay, although unfortunately rainy, was gorgeously breathtaking with large limestone karst budding greenery. A few other boats sprinkled the horizon as we all speechlessly took in the scenery from our deck. At Halong Bay, we explored the dark secrets of a nearby cave and then hit the bay with kayaks in the rain! Best of all, food of course. Breakfast, lunch and dinner was fresh aboard our boat consisting of seafood (calamari, prawn and sea bass) and meats (chicken, pork, beef) in a lime, salt and pepper dressing. Ginger, lemongrass and mint adorned almost every dish. Everything was prepared beautifully and we happily ate our delicious Vietnamese food whilst chattering away about the day.

Day 2: The Streets

Day 2, I awoke fresh and well rested until my eyes landed on something scuttling near my bed. Cautiously I lifted my head from the pillow only to spot the largest cockroach I have ever seen. I let out a silent scream and quickly weighed my options. If I called a maintenance man now, who knows how far the creature will get!? Thinking quickly, I leapt for a bottle of water and karate chopped the insect as a high pitched girly shriek came out of my mouth. I ran out of my room to breakfast knowing he would not be the last little bugger I see on my vacation! I spent the day exploring Hanoi's old town, meandering down side streets and purchasing a couple paintings related to the city's street life. If you told me the easiest way to cross the road was to just close your eyes and run, I would believe you. Motor bikes and scooters own the small narrow streets of Hanoi, and they sure don't make it easy for those walking on foot. I've only managed to find one tiny bahn mi shop, but there were only 2 foreigners at the shop, and I was skeptical. The phö shops are packed, so I popped into an authentic Vietnamese place, Quán Bia Minh, for a fresh bowl outside in 90 degree weather with a fan that refused to blow on me. Finally at 6 pm, I met my G Adventures tour group and our team bonded over dinner and drinks. Drinks led us to a youth hostel which provided free shots and a bar crawl! I now feel like I'm 20 again.

Asian Ruby Hotel (a real hotel)

Views from my 9th floor hotel room!

Day 1: Hanoi

Between the wine and the long flights, I left the Hanoi Airport in a bit of a daze. Cars and scooters eagerly sped past me as I listened to the harmonious honks of passerby cars. Approaching the sleepy city just after 10 pm, only a few tall buildings still shone bright. When I finally arrived at my hotel, the Asian Ruby Hotel, I was relieved to confirm it wasn't an underground prostitution club (at least not visibly). No, it was in fact an adequately fine hotel, with AC in my room (read otherwise on Tripadvisor, one customer even complained that he had a dead rat hanging from his bathroom ceiling). Suffice it to say, expectations were low and happily exceeded. Fighting exhaustion, I chatted with the hotel receptionist and decided to venture out in search of an authentic Vietnamese bahn mi. Nearing midnight, the man at the front desk warned me from exploring too far, noting robberies on the quiet streets. After walking up and down a couple of the boisterous streets, I gave up on the bahn mi search and settled for the Kebab Haus. Casually ordering a no. 4 (Special Turkish durum) and a Tiger beer, I amused myself by quietly eavesdropping on 3 girls from the University of Calgary and 2 guys from Brooklyn debating Egyptian politics and the cheapest pubs in the area to get a beer. Oh to be 20 again. They drunkenly fought with the kind restaurant owner over 5 VND, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Briskly walking home clutching my bag, I was relieved I didn't venture too far. Apparently the receptionist was right, nothing good happens in Hanoi after midnight. The search for the bahn mi continues tomorrow!

Bahn Mi Attack

A week before leaving for foodie-nation Vietnam, I finally had the opportunity to try the infamous Jamie-approved short rib and Asian pear bahn mi at Myers + Chang. Was it what I expected? Absolutely not. Did Jamie completely talk this sandwich up to keep my expectations at an impossible level? Yes. Was it the most incredible bahn mi sandwich I've ever been graced by? OMG Yes. Watch out, Vietnam, I'm going to try really hard to find better, but I'm not sure it's possible. M+C's bahn mi comes with your typical pickled veggie fixins - carrots, hot peppers, daikon. The bread is toasted and hot, while the Asian pear compliments the juicy, flavorful, perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your mouth short rib. You can only get this sandwich at lunch, which is so unfortunate for all the good people of Boston.

The Great Sandwich Debate II

Montoya with JM's ice cream sandwich

The Great Sandwich Debate resurfaced at JM Curley’s last night as me and my co-workers sat around a cozy corner table snacking on mouth watering salmon sliders, crunchy fried pickles and hot, buttered cornbread.  Challenging my co-worker Montoya on whether a burrito is a sandwich, his beginning argument was that it isn’t.  We discussed tacos and burritos and their similarities to wraps, and by the end of the discussion, we were not only full and happily buzzed, but also equal opportunity sandwich aficionados.  In fact, at the end of the discussion, Montoya had convinced himself that a banana is a sandwich!

The charming gastropub resonates a contagious energetic, professional-meets-real-world vibe.  Although the bar is small and there is often a long wait for a table or bar seat, it’s worth it.  Carefully constructed, the unique food menu did not disappoint.  We enjoyed everything we ordered, and that’s saying a lot since we ordered nearly everything on the menu.  The burgers are delicious and perfectly juicy, but if I had to choose one item to jump in front of a moving train for, it would be the salmon sliders.  House cured salmon is paired with minty cream cheese, cucumber slaw and red onion jam, all sandwiched between a brioche roll.  The mini sandwich is cool to the taste, but the flavors hum together in perfect harmony.  Now one of my top 3 sliders of all time (in the ranks of 21A’s burger slider and Island Creek’s oyster slider), the salmon slider is unlike anything I’ve tried before.  I’m actually going back tonight for more!

THAT'S BALLSY

Chef Nirali (!)

HOLY HIATUS!  Boston just can't seem to keep up with my yearning for new sandwiches; luckily I have friends who can provide me with entertaining sandwich delights!  Shout out to Nirali for her seriously incredible meatball subs (and I swear I'm not just saying that).  Let me paint you a picture.

Fresh sub rolls from Bova's Bakery created a safe haven for Nirali's little balls of meat.  Thick enough to endure spoonfuls of vodka-based tomato sauce, the roll was split in the middle (New England hot dog style) and stuffed with perfectly rounded turkey meatballs.  All sauced up and topped with even more sauce, just the right amount of parmesan cheese was sprinkled evenly on top.  The first bite yielded a pleasant surprise as melted mozzarella cheese oozed out of the meatball’s nucleus.  As we savored each subsequent bite, we joked about opening a bar named “Balls” with a menu filled with unique variations of the traditional Italian meatball sub.  Sure, a chicken tikka masala meatball sub, a Vietnamese bahn mi meatball sub, and a Mexican taco meatball sub all sound enchanting.  Hopefully this isn’t my last post on Nirali’s balls.  Erm.. meatballs.  You know what I mean.

You Had Me at Pastrami

The clock had almost struck midnight on Friday night as I perused Eastern Standard’s extravagant dinner menu.  In serendipitous fashion, my eyes locked in on the House Made Pastrami sandwich.  Last call for food trembled through the sophisticated restauarant at the Hotel Commonwealth, and I eagerly ordered the sandwich. 

A slow smile appeared on my face as I gazed at the toasted pumpernickel bread and the thickness of the sandwich.  My first bite left my tongue tingling, the cole slaw was slightly pickled and the Dijon made the perfect spicy balance.  The pastrami gives SLG’s a good run for its money – the sandwich is served hot and toasty, and aside from SLGs chipotle mustard, I couldn’t find too much else that gave me preference to SLG.  The sandwich was accompanied by fresh potato chips and a side of pickled purple cabbage.  As we sat around the table munching on late night bites, we sipped our fancy cocktails and laughed about life.  Who said sandwiches don’t bring friends together?

Baggy Sweatpants and Subs

The likes of Anthony Bourdain, my co-worker's dad, and multiple Yelpers have given this dive sandwich shop two thumbs up.  When I heard about their steak and cheese with hots, I figured it was about time I hike out to Southie to see what the fuss is about. Cautiously entering Rondo’s, I examined the clientele and instantly felt over dressed.  My jeans and a t-shirt suddenly felt like I was wearing a ball gown to a Red Sox game.  To call the dress code casual would be an extreme overstatement.  Man boys hovered around tables rocking grey baggy sweatpants and backwards flat-brimmed caps.  A thick Boston drawl was prominently heard, and I realized I had never seen these guys in their natural habitat before.

Not making eye contact, Jess and I grabbed a table near the back of the shop.  Angelo, Jimmy or Harry behind the counter asked me if I wanted my hots cooked into my steak and cheese – sure, why not?  

Slowly unwrapping the paper from my sub, I wondered whether I’d be able to eat all of it.  I did.  And I savored every last bite.  The sandwich was steaming hot, and the American cheese was melted perfectly into the steak.  The cherry peppers were nice and spicy, giving this traditional American sub the extra kick it needed.  The steak was cooked to juicy faultlessness, and it was enveloped by a freshly baked, soft bread roll.  Though mainly silent through this sandwich eating experience, Jess and I looked up at each other and exchanged “mmm”s.  For the rest of the day, I couldn’t stop talking about this sub.  I guess there’s a reason why Anthony Bourdain has his own show.

Bocadillos: The Sandwich of Spain

Las Ventas is a quaint Spanish specialty shop located directly next to Estragon - and not surprisingly owned by the same chef.  Walking toward the large storefront, my eyes drift toward a sign placed gingerly adjacent to the entrance.  Boasting 12 different sandwiches and 4 different loaves, the sign is actually a poor excuse for an advertisement.

There are two other customers in the store, and when I leave, I leave it completely deserted.  The specialty shop is fairly bare, a large, plastic display case is filled with Spanish cheese and meats, and the woman behind the counter offers me a slice of their spicy chorizo.  My stomach rumbles as the lingering taste of spices clings to the back of my throat.  I decide to order three sandwiches: Las Ventas, Mallorca, and a jamon serrano special written haphazardly behind the cash register.

The aroma of hot meat and cheese rise from the bag as I hurriedly made my way to Nirali and Jamie's apartment for our lunch feast.  Excitedly, I present them with the bocadillos buffet!

Unwrapping all the sandwiches as if they were carefully wrapped Christmas presents, we placed the sandwiches in halves on plates to share.  I took my first bite of the Mallorca, a sandwich consisting of sobrasada, goat cheese, spring mix and a housemade aioli.  The sobrasada was cut thick, baring a similar quality to chorizo, and soaking up oils and juices that gushed out with each bite.  Sandwiched between a fresh multi-grain loaf, the goat cheese perfectly complemented the spiciness of the meat.

The next bite I took was of the ham serrano special made of two thickly cut slices of sourdough bread, thin slices of jamon serrano (a less salty prosciutto), manchego cheese and, my favorite, fig jam.  The sweetness of the jam mixed with the saltiness of the ham created a perfectly balanced sandwich.

Both sandwiches were delicious, if I had to choose between the two, I would go with the Mallorca.  I did save the best for last though.  The sandwich Las Ventas, named after the shop itself, is stuffed with traditional tortilla espanola (a Spanish dish consisting of a thick egg omelette and potatoes), carmelized cubanelle peppers, and of course, the store's famous aioli.  The woman behind the counter recommended sourdough bread for this sandwich, and we were not disappointed.  The potatoes and peppers were grilled and sauteed to the point where you could taste the brown grill lines in your sandwich.  That is the dream, isn't it?  The eggs were made light and fluffy and the sandwich was so satisfying, I was sad that I only got a few bites out of it.  My next trip to Las Ventas will definitely include the Las Ventas! 

ACTION SHOT, Jamie eating the Mallorca!

Food Truck Festivals Abound!

See if there's one near you - http://bostonherald.com/blogs/lifestyle/fork_lift/

The weather sure is getting warmer in Beantown.  Food trucks, where are you?

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!