Category Archives: Sandwiches

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub

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**** (4 stars)

Sometimes you just want a grilled cheese sandwich. And when you do, you’re not looking for health food. That’s a good thing, because mine was perfect–which is to say redolent with the butter the bread was grilled in. Yum.

And since we’re binging, I have to say that the fires are the best in Evanston–and I’m including Five Guys (yuck) and Edzo’s (meh) in that assessment. They’re my favorite kind, battered and fried to a crispy outside crunch, yes fluffy in the middle, and perfectly seasoned.

Sandwich, fries and a drink for $8. What’s not to like? My waistline is just glad the place isn’t any closer to home.

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
622 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 868-8686
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cheesies-pub-and-grub-evanston

Delbe’s Corner

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***** (5 stars)

Wow, I’d eat here even if the food wasn’t good. This was a fantastic service experience, the kind that is rare these days. It’s not that anything exceptional occurred. That’s what was so fantastic. It’s just that I can anticipate the same exact level of service on my next visit, because it’s clear that the culture here is to hire nice people who are engaged in what they do, and serving their customers.

I was greeted when I walked in, chatted with as I ordered, met with a friendly smile when my food was delivered, and thanked for my business when I left. And none of it was because the young man behind the counter had been told he had to do that. It’s because he wanted to make sure he had happy customers. This sounds basic, but it happens so rarely, in such an honest fashion, that it really stands out.

Oh, and yes, the sunrise breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel was delicious. Pretty good coffee, too.

Delbe’s Corner
1100 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 424-1006
http://www.yelp.com/biz/delbes-corner-evanston

Au Bon Pain

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*** (3 stars)

This is one of the better places to grab something to take on a plane with you. The sandwiches are made to order (if you’re willing to wait in a fairly sluggish line) and the ingredients are fresh, especially the breads. If you’re in a hurry, the prepackaged sandwiches in the front case are actually quite decent. It certainly beats a bag of peanuts.

Au Bon Pain
9202 Jeff Fuqua Blvd
Orlando, FL 32827
(407) 825-7851
http://www.yelp.com/biz/au-bon-pain-orlando-2

Hot Krust Panini Kitchen

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**** (4 stars)

Hot Krust serves a sandwich that’s a bit different than anything else in town. Technically, it’s a panini, since it’s pressed between flat hot plates. But unlike other paninis, it’s on a sort of crusty hamburger bun rather than sliced bread. The result is that there’s a… well, hot crust on the outside. Since I like crusty bread, this suits me well. In fact, my favorite item here is a hamburger rather than a sandwich. The meat is good quality, and I particularly liked the barbecue sauce used on one version.

Other options are philly cheesesteak type beef, chicken and tuna. There are about a dozen offerings, but they are essentially all the same sandwich with slightly different ingredients. You also have your choice between white and multi grain buns.

The sandwiches are HUGE, so you may want to share. They are available in combos (if you’re really hungry) that include a drink, waffle fries (sweet or regular), chips or soup. I’m not much of a soup person, but the tomato soup I tried was the best thing they served, velvety and full of great flavors. Combo pricing is around $10, very reasonable for the huge amount of food.

There are also a nice variety of salads that I didn’t get to try. In addition to soft drinks they offer some interesting beers and wine.

Hot Krust is hampered by the same poor location as its predecessor, a NY bakery. The spot is between Whole Foods and Pei Wei, on a blind curve with no curb parking, set back fifteen feet from the surrounding buildings, making the already fairly illegible sign nearly invisible. But there’s plenty of parking in the Whole Foods lot.

The owner and staff are very friendly, and there is both indoor and very pleasant outdoor seating. If you’re in the mood for a sandwich with a different twist I recommend it.

Hot Krust Panini Kitchen
8015 Turkey Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 355-7768
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hot-krust-panini-kitchen-orlando

TooJay’s

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** (2 stars)

This place has the most annoying front of house personnel in the city. The restaurant may be half empty, but they’ll keep you standing there for ten minutes while they act officious. This is not the description of a single experience, it’s the description of every experience I’ve had during ten years, every time someone has dragged me to this place. The food is fine, but I’m so annoyed by the time I’m seated that I can never enjoy it. Orlando has very few delis. But we could get by with one less.

TooJay’s
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 355-0340
http://www.yelp.com/biz/toojays-orlando-4

Which Wich

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**** (4 stars)

A great and fun concept! Pick a form (1 of ten) pick a sandwich from it (1 of 5) pick what goes onto it (many choices).  Then enjoy your personalized creation. My favorite is to turn the whole thing into a salad, which is generous and healthy, and can contain some pretty weird ingredients. A unique concept.

Which Wich
7800 Dr Phillips Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 903-1942
http://www.yelp.com/biz/which-wich-orlando

Yellow Dog Eats

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***** (5 stars)

This is a wonderfully funky hangout that the locals fill every day at lunch for the best sandwiches you can get in Central Florida–and perhaps anywhere.

The pulled pork is a favorite, but nothing here is that simple. Add applewood smoked bacon, a hint of raspberry sauce, some of the house-made and bottled mustard BBQ sauces… superb.

But my personal favorite is the Kitty Cat Nap salad, Organic greens, raspberry vinaigrette, and the most amazing heap of exotic tuna–filled with craisins, nuts, and Chinese five spice.

Owner Fish Morgan circulates and makes everyone feel at home. Well, at home with a wacky brother, anyway!

Parking is behind the place through a narrow drive on the left, or across the street. Eat out back, in the charming patio.

Yellow Dog is hard to find, but packed every day. That says it all.

Yellow Dog Eats
1236 Hempel Ave
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 296-0609
http://www.yelp.com/biz/yellow-dog-eats-windermere-2