Pepper Bacon Roast Beef

Pepper. Bacon. Roast Beef. Separate in my mind until a recent deli counter prowl. Is this an under-the-radar item or is it just me? The above Pepper Bacon Roast Beef Sandwich is accompanied by Muenster, lettuce, tomato, a little salt&pepper, and an impromptu horseradish/cider vinegar mayo, on French bread. 

Frankford Hall Flop

Frankford Hall is a faux-German Biergarten in Fishtown. Of course I know it's not going to be 'authentic' but it was almost laughable. Well, not everything: bad service was pretty true to form. The Bratwurst presentation was pathetic. See above. This small pork sausage was marginal at best, presumably just rolled around on a griddle for a few minutes, nowhere near an open flame. Same with the bun. A soft, doughy, buttered white hotdog bun you would find in a roadside diner or the discount rack at Thriftway. The Sauerkraut may have taken the cake for worst component, though. Bucket slop in a sour acid bath. 

Listen, I love griddled meats and simple hotdog buns, but not in this context. And I hate to sound like an asshole, but maybe eating true wurst mit brot in Germany spoiled me. Frankford Hall's pails in comparison to the cheapest and most questionable joints I stumbled upon over there. Plus, I really don't want to pay $6 for something I know can be easily made much better on my hibachi. It may be cool to hang with a big group outside over some Victory Pils, but eating and/or sitting inside the massive faux-SoHo warehouse is a no-go, especially amongst a crowd of screaming semi-professional Jenga players celebrating a 21st birthday. (Although I'm sure that's not a nightly occurrence.) I'm not on board with the metric beer menu gimmick, either. .5L is only 16.9 fluid ounces, merely an ounce over a typical pint. Not worth the up-charge. Not fooling anybody. And I'm just plain stumped by $4.50 12-oz Lager bottles. 

I'd love to see this spot done right. But until then, there are myriad better-tasting, more affordable, and more authentic restaurant/bars within a block or two. With all due respect to Stephen Starr, Frankford Hall is caught in limbo. Or maybe just awkward adolescence. It is only a year old. And while there is certainly potential for this place, right now Frankford Hall misses the mark. 

Frankford & Girard

http://www.frankfordhall.com/

Johnny Brenda's

Johnny Brenda's = classic spot to grab a couple beersss and a couple bitesss. They offer brunch on the weekends and you may also be able to catch a sweet show upstairs. Twin Shadow played last year for $12. ('H-Word' alert, I know) But hey, a good deal and a good time. And BTW, they have gooood burgers, dude. I will discuss this with you briefly right now. 

The Cheeseburger is simply one of the best around. No frills, nothing extreme, just a very well-executed take on the American classic. Take away the bun, replace it with an English Muffin, throw Eggs Benedict on top and you got yourself the brunch-time bombshell, Eggs Benedict Burger. My burger was unfortunately served well past the medium rare that I requested. However, my hangover didn't give a shit about that. I needed the EBB cure ASAP. I'd recommend classing it up and using a knife-and-fork. Had my faculties been at 100%, I may have realized this before my hands were completely covered in egg yolk. On the downside, it clocked in at $13. Buuuut you're basically getting 2 meals in one, so that tilts the CBA scale a little bit. French Fries and Home Fries served with each respectively. 

Good burgers, (mmmmostly) reasonable prices, weekend brunch, beersss, pool, DJ's, shows, chill atmosphere 70% of the time, rich Mahogany, iridescent table lights, dim overheads, lunch, dinner, last call, brunch shortly after last call, several reasons to head on down to JB's. 

Located at Frankford & Girard in Fishtown, Philly, USA

http://www.johnnybrendas.com/

Ida Mae's

 

Ida Mae's Irish Bruncherie is a cozy Fishtown favorite specializing in good ol' fashion breakfast, lunch, and brunch options that never disappoint. However, one sandwich does top my list: Ida's Melt. Here's the breakdown: 1) A layer of tuna or chunky chicken salad (I opt for chicken), which is mixed with a RICH mayo/Russian dressing combo laid a top marble rye toast. 2) Add layer of fresh sliced tomato. 3) Throw on some crispy, crispy bacon. 4) Cover with Swiss. 5) Toast it up and voila! The homemade chips on the side are always a treat too. Hearty, crunchy, simply seasoned, and just plain good. Comfort food at its best at Ida Mae's. 

Located at Norris & Tulip Streets in Fishtown

(Philadelphia, PA, USA!)

http://idamaes.com/

Fishtown Market

Small Italian Hoagies for $2.85. And they're goood! 

Nuff said.

Located at the crux of Norris & Memphis in... Fishtown
(Philadelphia, PA, USA)

Mother's Day Special: Lansky's Knishwich

This Mother's Day weekend, my Mom and I found ourselves in The Big Schityyy (cue Transatlantic accent) visiting my reclusive and unfortunately ailing Aunt Pat, who lives on the Upper West Side. She has lived there forever, in the same apartment she shared with my late Uncle Ray. He, an artist, and she, a curator, built a cozy bohemian world together from 1940 to 1991, when he passed. Then, that world became an island. We set out to make up for lost time and catch a glimpse of the past, a glimpse of what New York used to be. But first we needed to eat some lunch.

While in the neighborhood, I felt obliged and eager to visit Lansky's Old World Deli, located on Columbus between 70th and 71st. The classic Jewish deli was packed out the door with a bustling brunch crowd, but it was only a ten minute wait. We were walked to the back room which reminded me of an after hours lounge where Ol' Blue Eyes should strike up a tune. The efficient busser dropped off complimentary banana bread at our table. I gotta tell ya, the bottom was burnt to shit, but the top was outstanding. Who needs muffin bottoms, anyway? A rich yet airy whipped strawberry butter masked the charring. Nice way to kick things off. I was pumped about the Yelp Check-in deal: a-glass-a-Bud for $1. However, I learned they start pouring at 4:00pm and we arrived at 2:00. Instead, our server hooked up a brunch-time Bloody Mary for said $1. It ended up free of charge. Thank you, __________! And by the way, Lansky's offers a Bottomless Liquid Brunch, I repeat Bottomless Liquid Brunch on weekends. Do it. Do it.

I perused the extensive menu for a while and was tempted to "Hit The Jackpot," which is, in short, a little bit of everything from behind the counter weighing in around 4lbs. Lick your plate clean, win a t-shirt. Too much for today. I opted for the specialty "Knishwich." When in Rome. Sweet Baby Jesu...Yahweh! Look at that thing! (above) A classic potato knish serves as the "bread" -  cut it in half and absolutely smothered, open-face style. On one side, a hefty heap of melt-in-your mouth corned beef; on the other, incredibly savory pastrami. Both sides covered with coleslaw, Russian dressing and blanketed in Muenster. Served hot, melty, and delicious. A Kosher Dill would have been perfect on the side, but that didn't occur to me until I was already done. I was too swept up in the Knishwich whirlwind to remember. It was quite an archaeological excavation carving through this beautiful mass. A textural thrill-ride. A rewarding journey. Happy Mother's Day, Ma! Love ya


Lansky's Old World Deli
235 Columbus Avenue
NY, NY 10023
http://lanskysnyc.com/

Happy 250th!

This Sunday, May 13th 2012, which also happened to be Mother's Day, marked the 250th anniversary of The Sandwich! Mother's Day Sandwich Adventure post in progress. For now enjoy this article: http://now.msn.com/living/0514-sandwich-250-anniversary.aspx and go make your mom a sandwich!

Liberty Choice Space Hoagie

Under the El between Norris and Berks lies a shiny new Super Bodega, Liberty Choice, a very welcomed addition to the neighborhood. Opens early, closes late, and is a convenient life saver. Grabbed a Turkey Hoagie there today. Was pretty good. Honey Roasted Turkey, classic American cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, saltpepperoregano, standard issue.

But, what really struck me was the monstrous plastic box that my hoagie was housed in. I don't need my sandwich to be prepared for launch and endure unknown atmospheric pressures while ricocheting asteroids off of its outer shell. I just need to walk it a few blocks down the street or up to LC's balcony seating section (which actually exists) and eat it. The oversized bubble allows too much room for shifting contents. Plus not getting a secure paper wrap on there means you're basically fighting an open-face battle when you don't expect to be. A little deli paper goes a long way. It would surely save them some dough to drop their NASA products and go green. But I digress, a good sandwich and a great new establishment. Choose Liberty!
1947 N Front St
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Aperitivo/ROMA

Aperitivo at Freni e Frizioni in Trastevere was life-changing. In short: an all-you-can-eat Happy Hour buffet of glorious Italian pastas, breads, appetizers, and the like, included in the price of one adult beverage (starts around 19:00). Depending on your drink taste, spend between 6 and 8 Euro. Locals are naturally respectful of boundaries such as portion control and limiting to seconds (if that); and treat aperetivo as what it sounds like -- a round of appetizers before dinner. Nnnnot so much the case for a group of starving American artists. This was dinner. Beyond dinner. One of my favorite Roman dining experiences, if not #1. The perfect marriage of quality and quantity. Experienced several aperitivos, but Freni e Frizioni was the best.

Via del Politeama, 4  00153 Rome, Italy

Not sure what's up with their website but check it out: http://freniefrizioni.com/ 

FOODLAND Super Market

Is there any debate over the following statement?
Nothing is better during a long work day than a hearty sandwich.
Nope, it's a fact.

After a long morning shift of moving a sculpture studio in Germantown, PA (Northwest outta Philly proper, pass through Nicetown, and there you are), my colleagues and I spotted this landmark across the street. FOODLAND Super Market. Beautiful hand-painted sign. Curious about what they sell in this mysterious land, we trekked over in hope to find something to eat, preferably a monster sandwich.

Yup, full deli counter. We were in business. Italian Hoagies ordered right up w/ Provolone, Lettuce, Tomato, Hots, Pickles, Mayo, Oil/Vinegar, Salt Pepper Oregano combo, hold the onions for today. After watching Sandwich Man write a mere "$3.50" on the deli paper, we were fired up! Toss in a bag'a Herr's Kettle Cooked Sour Cream & Onion and an Arizona Green Tea all for $5.50 and you got a steal. Plopped right down on our loading dock and dug in. Nice solid everyday hoagie. Forgot the hots, but hey, we're all human. Vital fuel to finish out the afternoon shift. Forgot the address and couldn't find any trace of it online. But I swear FOODLAND Super Market was not a figment of my imagination.

History Lesson

"The Inventor"

John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, PC, FRS (13 November 1718 – 30 April 1792)^[1] was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, Edward Montagu, 3rd Earl of Sandwich, as the Earl of Sandwich in 1729, at the age of ten. During his life he held various military and political offices, including Postmaster General, First Lord of the Admiralty and Secretary of State for the Northern Department, but is perhaps best known for the claim that he was the eponymous inventor of the sandwich. 

The sandwich

The modern sandwich is named after Lord Sandwich, yet the exact circumstances of its invention and original use are still the subject of debate. A rumour in a contemporary travel book called Tour to London by Pierre Jean Grosley formed the popular myth that bread and meat sustained Lord Sandwich at the gambling table.^[20] A very conversant gambler, Montagu did not take the time to have a meal during his long hours playing at the card table. Consequently, he would ask his servants to bring him slices of meat between two slices of bread; a habit well known among his gambling friends. Because Lord Montagu was the Earl of Sandwich others began to order "the same as Sandwich!" - the ‘sandwich’ was born. ^[21] The sober alternative is provided by Sandwich's biographer, N. A. M. Rodger, who suggests Sandwich's commitments to the navy, to politics and the arts mean the first sandwich was more likely to have been consumed at his work desk.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Montagu,_4th_Earl_of_Sandwich#The_sandwich

A Very Brown Breakfast

What better way to spend a slow dreary morning than with your loved one over a breakfast sandwich?

Two fried Jumbo Eggs (huge, could have used one), a healthy heap of Caramelized Onions, and thinly sliced Extra Sharp Cheddar on 7-grain Wheat Toast. Plus a side of fried Red Russets with some salt and Cracked Pepper. Complimented of course by a French press of the world's best coffee and what I like to call "Life Juice," Cafe Bustelo.

The result was a very brown (see above), delicous, food-coma inducing breakfast... and a magnificent little morning :) Yes, Bon Iver provided the soundtrack. Nap time commencing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo6lKQYVUBU

Grilled Chicken Sandwich at Silk City

Don't judge a book by it's cover. Or rather, don't judge this sandwich by it's name: The simply-titled Grilled Chicken Sandwich at Silk City. Snoozefest, right? NOT. This sandwich is exciting as hell. Grilled Chicken lays the foundation, but the extras make this sandwich tick. Salty Prosciutto, sharp Provolone, spicy-ass Long Hots, and creamy Basil/Pesto Mayo grace the grilled chicken on a hearty artisan roll. All on one sandwich? You better believe it, buddy. Could be a total clusterfuck, but it works. This intriguing flavor amalgam creates a uniquely layered experience. And those hots do pack a punch. Lightly seasoned French Fries are a plus. Wash it all down with a Kenzinger for sure. And sit in the Beer Garden!
Located at 5th and Spring Garden

DiNiC's at Reading Terminal

I'm embarrassed to say I first became aware of Tommy DiNiC's Roast Pork and Beef after watching a Man V Food episode set here in Philly. I immediately jumped out from under the rock I had been living under for 2 years, hopped on the El and stormed into Reading Terminal Market on mission. And so was the rest of town. The line wrapped around DiNiC's five or ten times, snaked throughout Reading Terminal another ten or fifteen more, and out the door and back again. Or so it seemed. In short, this place was fucking packed.

Didn't need to look at the menu while I waited. Knew exactly what I wanted from watching homeboy eat one on TV: Slow Roast Pork with Broccoli Rabe and Sharp Provolone. While waiting in line, I overheard the manager explain to another customer that there has been a major influx of customers since appearing on the Travel Channel. He was excited, however, jokingly stated that only men must watch Man V Food since there now seems to be a lopsided male-to-female customer ratio. The line proceeded relatively quickly for the size of the crowd (about 15 minutes). An efficient cashier/expediter was crucial to the process. Not quite a Soup Nazi, but needless to say, he got the job done. Sandwich in hand, I undertook the arduous task of finding a lunch rush seat and it was finally game time.

First bite. One word: BUTTER. This sandwich quite literally melted in my mouth. Such perfectly roasted pork, bathed in its own glorious juices for who knows how long. Natural and true flavor. Soaking right into that fresh soft roll. Due to the soak factor, I recommend immediate consumption. The broccoli rabe was Garlic-sauteed to perfection. Added a slight bitterness and crunch, setting up a nice textural contrast to the pork. The thinly sliced provolone lined the roll, beautifully melted, and added a savory richness to complete this exquisitely tasteful sandwich. 5 Stars. Expect a crowd, so leave ample time. "Well worth the wait" is a complete understatement.

DiNiC's at Reading Terminal Market is located at 11th and Arch Streets, Center City, Philadelphia.
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/merchants/view/56

Duck Reuben at Green Eggs Cafe

Duck Reuben. Two words I love, but never used together until today. Once I saw it on the menu, I had no choice. House cured Mallard Pastrami? Didn't even know it existed. But sure enough, that lil Mallard was sliced and served in a way I'd never seen before. Very interesting. The duck didn't lose a step in the pastrami process. A mixed cabbage slaw was also a nice touch, but the roasted tomato aoli got a little lost in the mix. The marble rye was decent, but not quite toasted enough. Gotta go all-or-nothing. This mistake made the swiss cheese feel like a mere afterthought, not a warm blanket that tenderly holds the sandwich together. Pretttyyy good sandwich and a decent spot, but I wasn't blown away. Curious about the Pork Italiano. Night club playlist at noon was also an interesting DJ choice. Sorry no pic at the moment. May your mind's eye guide you.
Located on 2nd between Fairmount and Brown in Northern Liberties, Philly.
http://greeneggscafe.com/

Yumtown, USA, Philadelphia

Being a proud carnivore, I don't always go vegetarian. But when I do, I go to Yumtown, USA, the best new food truck in Philadelphia. The vegetarian Edgar Allen Potato is utterly unique yet classically hearty. Tender sauteed sweet potatoes are graced with tempeh, cheddar, (black bean) hummus, assorted greens, onions, and sriracha in an artisan roll culminating in an unfamiliar and exciting culinary experience.

Edgar Allen would reign supreme if it weren't for The Joy, another Yumtown option and one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I can recall. The Joy produces nothing short of its namesake. The sweet and juicy pulled pork literally makes me salivate. Not to mention the buttery garlic aoili that seeps into the bed of crunchy red cabbage and artisan loaf. Sliced jalapenos top off the glorious sandwich. Grab a Mexican Coke while you're at it.

Intense flavors and surprising combinations place these two sandwiches on the top shelf. Their menu does rotate seasonally as these guys buy local and bring constant freshness. True sandwich artistry at Yumtown, USA. You can find them at 13th and Norris Streets (on Temple University campus) in Philly during weekday afternoons, Clark Park out West on Saturdays, and they cater!
http://www.yumtownusa.com/www.yumtownusa.com/home.html
photo credit: from official website

Paris

Gourmet Baguette (approx 3 x 24 inches, for scale): .89Euro.
Heft chunk of savory succulent brie or smoky gouda: 2Euro tops.
Fresh tomato/basil/olive spread: only 2Euro more.
Relational Aesthetic Sandwich-Making Performance at the Louvre: Priceless.

The cliche of lazily traipsing around the beautiful streets of Paris with baguette-in-hand is commonplace for a reason: It is fucking awesome. As the above formula states, my girlfriend and I could spend 5Euro per day and enjoy genuine Parisian cuisine wherever and whenever we wanted to. When the cost of fine, rich cheeses is comparable to that of (1) 'Kraft Single', you must take advantage. Bone ape tit.

ROMA/Italia

Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, ripe vine tomatoes, and savory artisan rolls laid the foundation for the myriad sauces and spreads that truly activated our Roman sandwiches. The key here lies in two words: Fresh ingredients, which are abundant in Rome for mere chump change. Two of our favorites were Barilla's Pesto alla Calabrese con Peperoni and Pesto alla Genovese con Basilico Fresco, both with NO preservatives. Pasta sauces you may ask? Absofuckinglutely. There is one rule in sandwich-making: what works. Whether in the mood for sweet and spicy Calabrese or the fresh summery Genovese, or both at the same time, spread these on your sandwich and it works like a Swiss clock. Simple, economic, and delicious. Win, win, win.

One Eyed Jack, Firenze

Well, we found it. The Philly dive bar of Florence: The One Eyed Jack. This place ruled. An at-home (American) watering hole fixated deep in the heart of Tuscany. To be honest, I didn't even check out the sandwich menu, but the Bier Du Boucaniere, or Buccaneer Beer on draft is a meal in itself. A delicious Triple Belgian Ale clocking in at 13%abv, served in a .5L pint glass. Pretty sure that's illegal in the US. And yes, that's me and some friends above enjoying our BB's under the watchful eye of Kurt Cobain. Located at: Piazza Nazario Sauro, 2  50124 Florence, Italy, off of Ponte Alla Carraia on the bank of the Arno River. 


And we're gonna ride, we're gonna ride
Ridin' like a One Eyed Jack of Diamonds 
With the devil close behind, we're gonna ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ3W_6ou0xI

Flashback: Doner Kebab

It is an honor to dedicate my first post on a sandwich blog to world famous Turkish delicacy, the Doner Kebab. These things sustained me for three months of essentially living off the land and squatting in a ramshackle attic during a three-month artist residency in Leipzig, Germany during the Summer of 2010. 3, maybe 4 euro a day is all you need to eat like a king. The process begins as the Doner Man elegantly slices that plump rotating cone of hot lamb into thin strips, which are then placed gently inside a warm, panini-pressed pita pocket. Fresh vegetables and power accents are then layered upon the succulent meat: lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, cabbage, olives, feta, halloumi and the like lay the foundation for the plethora of cooling and hot sauces that marry the ingredients in this sandwich together. But Buyer Beware: Not all Doner Kebabs are created alike and please, be weary of the chicken. Go with the classic lamb or falafel option. 

Welcome

My name is Ryan and I'm a sandwich enthusiast. I'd like to welcome you to a sandwich blog. I'm no expert. I'm no authority. But I am passionate about the art of the sandwich.