Sandwich-Hands' Egg-cellent Adventure!

Wow, you're still reading this? Even after that outrageously cheesy title? Ok I'll try to make this worth it. After being thoroughly disappointed that Mr.Bartley's was closed on Sundays (and obviously didn't check the website before going there), my friends and I headed to Garden at the Cellar. Div, Jess and Kate were all in a burger mood, but I had heard so much about the egg sandwich (and after rave reviews from the waitress), I had to see what all the fuss was about. When the egg sandwich arrived, it looked like a piece of art; the skillet eggs were slightly protruding from the perfectly toasted bun, which was displayed affectionately aside a heaping pile of shoestring rosemary truffle fries. Lifting the top bun was like a pirate finding treasure in an underground cave. Excitedly, I took a long lingering glance at the fresh avocado slices, the melted cheddar cheese dripping toward the plate and the long, crispy applewood-smoked bacon strips with slightly burnt edges (just the way I like it). When the fatty avocado slices mixed with a garlicky-mayo spread on the slightly sweet brioche roll, the flavors that came together after that first bite were inconceivable. Let's just say I think I made my poor hungover stomach's day. I love breakfast sandwiches (usually sausage, egg and cheese on an english muffin from Theo's Cozy Corner on Salem Street is my go-to), but this glorified breakfast sandwich is in its own league. My only one suggestion would be to cook the eggs over-easy, I prefer my eggs more on the runny side. (Not so runny that it drips to my clothes, but enough so that the yolk can thoroughly soak into my sandwich.) The hard yolk ended up sliding out of my sandwich, and I was too busy micro-managing my avocado slices, ensuring they stay packed into my sandwich, to worry about the yolk. Definitely not a date sandwich, I went through a lot of napkins and had to re-fix my sandwich multiple times. Proven fact though: the messier the better.

The No Napkin Burger

While we’re talking burgers here, steer clear of 5Napkin Burger (small NY chain that just opened next to the Pru). I have received several contradicting reviews, but my experience was horrendous. Our burgers took almost an hour to arrive, and when we finally had them in front of us, they were cold, brittle and tasteless. Not a single drop of burger juice ever shed onto my plate. Div, who usually uses a fork and knife (yes, totally weird, but we still like her), ate this burger with her hands! Sorry 5N, there's so much better out there. I'm just not ready to give you another chance.

“Extra points for the big pickle”

Ev pointed out as I choked back my burger in an attempt to shout “that’s what she said”. After taking my first bite of Porter’s award-winning burger, I quickly recognized that the pickle on the side was not Porter’s only surprise. Although no R.F. O’Sullivan’s, Porter’s burger far outshines any other burger around the Garden. Chatting about Sandwich-Hands with Pat the bartender and the sweet couple sitting next to us, everyone seemed to agree that Porter’s is the bar to go to for dinner before a game. The sourdough bun could have been toasted, but it is easily forgotten after you taste the juices this burger has to offer. The best part? The proportion of burger to bun. It should be 50-50 to absorb all the juices and to make each bite equally delightful. Luckily, that’s exactly what you get here. You have the option of several different cheeses and toppings (although there are several varieties on the menu also). I went with smoked Gouda and mushrooms piled high with crisp lettuce, tomato and onions. (Although, I find it nearly impossible to hold on to the tomatoes.) The burgers come with the most incredible shoestring fries (much better than R.F.’s potato wedge fries). Go with the honey mustard sauce as a condiment for your fries, you won’t be disappointed.

Sharing is Caring

WARNING: This is not your typical deli sandwich.

Chez Henri is an upscale French bistro (with a chic Cuban twist), and (IMPORTANT NOTE) you can only order their famous Cubano sandwich at the bar. This is huge. The first time I went to Chez Henri, we got seated in the restaurant. All I wanted was the Cubano and I was highly disappointed when I wasn’t allowed to order it. (Admittedly it was really hard to stay mad at our total babe of a waiter; he looked like one of those ancient Greek warriors with wild, sun-kissed locks blowing in the wind. Where was that wind coming from anyways??)

Take two. Kate and I rocked up to the secluded bar on a Sunday night. Nervously flipping through the bar menu, we finally saw what we had excitedly been talking about all weekend – Pressed Cuban Sandwich, choice of traditional slow roasted pork or roasted vegetables with cheese. I had read a few reviews, so I was curious about the vegetarian Cuban. Very decisively (if you know me, that is an extreme rare occurrence), we ordered one of each to share. I can’t begin to describe the intensity and flavors that mixed together to create these sandwiches. Unexpectedly, I prefer the vegetarian. The marinated vegetables with the perfectly melted gruyere cheese made this sandwich incomparable to any other. Kate favors the traditional Cuban, so go with a friend and share! Each sandwich comes with a side of plaintain chips and salsa which is a really nice touch. Order the mojito, or if you’re more into beer, the Pretty Things went great with my Cuban.

10 Things I Hate About You

Dear 21A's Sliders,

10. I hate that you go straight to my hips
9. I hate when your juices run down my hands and drip to my clothes
8. I hate your stupid little pickles that fit inside those mini buns perfectly
7. I hate that exquisite crunch you have when I place those crispy onion rings right on top of the burger
6. I hate that I can eat you all up in just a few bites
5. I hate that Russian dressing you come with that makes you delectably creamy
4. I hate that no other slider will ever compare to you
3. I hate that you’re so damn adorable; I sometimes think you might be too cute to eat
2. I hate that I usually need to share you with my friends
1. And most of all I hate that I never want to put you down. You are the perfect little composite of a mouth-watering burger that I would order over the real 21st burger any day of the week.

Bites and Kisses XO

Hey baby, what kind of cheese do you want?

Stepping into Monica's Mercato, I am enveloped by the aromas of Italy, and greeted by the babes behind the counter almost immediately. Normally I cringe at the mere thought of a pet name, but you can't help but smile when these sandwich cuties call you "baby" or "sweetie". Featuring Italian specialties like buratta, handmade pasta and imported jars of Nutella, this quaint shop (fits about 6 customers max) surprisingly has a large selection of meats and cheeses.. And my favorite cold cut sandwich in the entire city. Although you can't go wrong with their Italian sub, my favorite sandwich is made of spicy soppresata, lettuce, basil, extra hot peppers, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a cheese of their choice. You pick your own bread, there are several options including sub rolls, round loaves and onion foccacia bread, which is baked fresh that day at Monica's Trattoria down the street. Pick up a sandwich with a bottle of wine and a jar of mixed olives, and you have the most incredible picnic.

Dancing Tastebuds

What makes a great sandwich? The bread? The fillings? The condiments? My passion for sandwiches transcends theses questions as I review sandwiches all over the city of Boston (and maybe even beyond). Debating the name of this blog, as well as what kinds of sandwiches will be reviewed, my friends and I pondered the best sandwiches in Boston at R.F. O'Sullivan's today. Consequently, it only seems right to start off with the best burgers in town. Although Mr. Bartley's is next on our list, R.F. O'Sullivan's burger is number 1 in my mind. Biting into this burger (I ordered the Blackjack), the juices ran down my hands, cheese dripped down from the back of the crispy bun and my tastebuds danced around the creole spices in which my perfect burger was coated. Having been to several burger joints in the city, R.F.'s is at the top of my list for now. Although the R.F. burger hits the spot of pure delight, this blog certainly does not discriminate and is dedicated to the perfection of all kinds of sandwiches. Next posts will involve Chacarero, Volle Nolle, All Star Sandwich Cafe, Cutty's, and Chez Henri.. just to nibble on a few ;)