An article in the current Esquire Magazine names what they think are The Best Sandwiches in America.
Unranked, unimpeachable, and incomplete, Esquire’s coast-to-coast list of the finest meals on sliced bread. No burgers allowed.” Two Seattle shops appear on the list, the Porchetta sandwich at Salumi (Batali’s place):
The daily fresh-pulled mozzarella runs out before the line of customers at Salumi, started by Armandino Batali (Mario’s dad). Don’t let the curing bats of fennel-studded finocchiona dangling from meat hooks distract: You want the porchetta — braised-until-melting pork shoulder with peppers, carrots, and onions on a stout roll to soak up the profligate juices. (309 Third Avenue South; 206-621-8772)
I have to agree with them on Salumi, and they include one I’m not familiar with, Paseo. They rave about their Cuban Meat Sandwich:
No place in Seattle could care less whether you come in than Paseo. The shoe-box shack has no sign, takes no credit. Has so few seats that devotees eat outside on the trunks of their cars. What keeps them returning? The milagro that is the Cuban meat sandwich: marinated, slow-cooked pork ganged into a baguette slathered with garlicky mayonnaise, then mounded again with cilantro, jalapeños, and fat O’s of caramelized onions. Seattle’s a long way from Cuba, but this sandwich erases every mile. (4225 Fremont Avenue North; 206-545-7440)
The biggest surprise for me, was The Reggie Deluxe, at Pine State Biscuits, Portland Oregon:
A hangover cure found only at Portland’s Farmers Market (for now): fried chicken, bacon, cheddar, gravy, and an over-easy egg on a cream-top buttermilk biscuit still hot from the outdoor oven. (South Park Blocks, SW Harrison and Montgomery; Saturdays)
After reading the article, I went and had a Reggie Deluxe. Somehow I’d miss Pine State Biscuits in the past. They were right… it’s great.
dietrich says
About Paseo: I lived in Frement area of Seattle about 7 years ago, and still daydream about their prawn sandwich. The bread was small baguette shape, but tougher. There was some aioli spread on there, and the prawns sauteed right there in front of you, and fantastically seasoned – juicy, salty and spicy.
Also, the reason they don’t need a sign is that you can smell the place for a good 5 block radius… and it draws you in.
one swell foop says
Sounds like breakfast tomorrow morning for me!
lilhuna says
Paseo also made a scallop sandwich (off the menu) that was To Die For. I agree with Dietrich about the sign – I lived exactly 5 blocks down and I swear I could smell it on days with a stiff breeze.
Funny, I have eaten a Pine Sate Biscuit, and it paled in comparison to the biscuits made by Nancye at Moxie RX . Moxie is the silver trailer on Mississippi Ave next to Fresh Pot, and is open seasonally. She is currently only open on the weekends, but if you’re smart, you’ll go and check her out. (although this is probably really stupid of me to share this – i know the busier she gets, the higher my chances of not getting a biscuit on Saturday).
dianemorgan says
I had the pleasure of eating breakfast at the newly opened Pine State Biscuits yesterday morning. I had no problem waiting a mere 10 minutes for fresh-from-the-oven biscuits for a delighful biscuit sandwich with egg, cheese, and bacon. With a cup of Stumptown coffee, I was content. These are masterful biscuits baked to a golden-topped crispness with a tender, light crumb inside. I’ll be heading back pronto. Be forewarned, there is no sign yet–3640 SE Belmont–and it’s tiny.