Bread Head - Manhattan Beach

I may not love the location, but I do love the story. A pair of new parents needed a work-life balance that their fine dining careers would have forced them to forgo, and their solution was sandwiches. 

Great bread, this thin and airy, beautifully crispy focaccia, so good the filling almost doesn't matter. 

Get the Combo Grinder but be sure to eat it fast. The dressing seeps into the bottom bread and soaks it through in minutes. The meats are  reminiscent of BCD's claim-to-fame Godmother in their tenderness and smooth texture, but I like their balance better. The salty salami, punchy hot coppa and smooth smoked ham just pop a little bit more, and the fixins are just enough to add some acid with the greens. 

I caught the newly released hot sandwiches, but I'm pretty meh about the Roast Pork & Broccoli Rabe. The bitter broccoli is far too forward, overpowering at tender super-savory, but much subtler pork. 

The Roast Beef suffers similarly, as two inches of bitter arugula hit tender, blander beef quite hard. I do love that mayo and the pop of fresh horseradish, but I feel I could have made this myself minus the bread. 

This little shop of fabulous focaccia has me quite conflicted. The focaccia is fantastic and its airy crumb and crunchilicious crisp is an undeniable draw, but the fillings fall rather flat. Sandwiches are often associated with comfort food and home cooking, but if I'm paying for someone else to make my sandwich, I'm looking for a taste of something I can't get from home. For me, Bread Head just misses the mark. The bread is an awesome start, but a bit more creativity, a bit more pop, a bit more focus on the filling could make them the best thing since sliced bread...and more than just sliced bread.

Eno Market & Pizzeria - Hotel del Coronado - Coronado, CA

A second visit to Hotel Del is better than the first. A few hundred dollars upgrades to a resort-facing patio complete with comfy chairs and cozy fire pit. Mental note to bring marshmallows and long sticks next time. 

Still no room service, but all the restaurants will let you order some takeout, though I suspect the food travels with varying levels of success. 

Eno remains the default due to online ordering, deli sandwiches, and food that is more portable by nature. 

None of the food will blow your mind or change your view on life, but quality ingredients are good enough for me. I'm digging this Grilled Stone Fruit Salad - I love charred sugar, and it's a filling, satisfying salad with good greens like bitter arugula and bright sorrel as well as meaty prosciutto and creamy stracciatella cheese. 

Did you like that salad? They put it on toast as well. The Seasonal Crostino has a fluffy focaccia spread with a seasonal jam, topped with a creamy goat cheese and everything else that's in the salad.

Hearth Baked Meatballs are super tender. Nice, juicy meat with a not-too-tangy marinara and wedges of focaccia for scooping up the sauce. 

The Napoli Verde is one of their many pizzas. The chewy crust is good, but I still just can't say I love their combinations. Jury's out on the peas but I love the lardons, and I can't say I complained while I ate it. 

The market also has a mortadella sandwich and a pretty good grilled cheese with tangy tomato bisque if you're looking for lighter or easier fare. 

After a second visit in under a year, I'm developing a fondness for Eno Pizzeria...probably because it remains one of few things you can try to eat in your hotel room and not hate too much. I think it'll be a lot longer before I come back to this hotel, but whenever I do, I won't be too mad about having to eat at Eno again. 

The Block - Portland, OR

Three sandwiches to choose from; simple, straightforward…and spectacular. 

Their Turkey & Brie is a perfect sandwich, with thick slices of roasted breast topped with slabs of gooey brie, a shower of sweet-as-honey mustard, and an aliquot of arugula. 

The Philly Cheesesteak is better than anything I ever ate in Philly. It’s a very generous serving for what they call a “small”. Chopped steak stays soft on the griddle, and sautéed mushrooms, onions, and peppers pile into a fluffy hoagie. 

Now THIS is what a sandwich should be. Small menu, big impression. 

Birdies - Los Angeles

Seizing a rare opportunity, I get to grab Birdies for lunch. 

The Birdies Original is just a fantastic sandwich. A fried slab of chicken breast is juicy and tender despite the thickness, topped with melted cheddar, pickles, and slaw. 

The original sandwich is strong, but the Nashville Hot Chicken is where it's at. Same glorious fry, and the medium hot has a satisfying spice-paste that burns but doesn't scorch. Same toppings, just a messy, sloppy, chef's kiss.

I got greedy and went for their biggest specialty donuts. Strawberry Shortcake is full of berries and cream, and the donut itself is just a fantastic-tasting fluff. Banana Cream Pie tastes just as pretty; instant love. 

They also gave me a free sample donut so I got to try sugar and icing with a hint of Pistachio while I waited for my food to cook. 

Coffee, donuts, chicken. Say no more, I'm there. And I'll be back too - that hot chicken is kicker, and those donuts are delectable. 

Aptos Trip Day 7 - Pretty Good Advice - Soquel, CA

I was given pretty good advice to check out this beautiful breakfast joint.

Mike's Good Morning Deluxe is a definite, immediate WOW. Chewy ciabatta carries a patty of crispy potato, a hearty fried egg, and creamy avocado encased in aioli, a breakfast sandwich of absolute perfection. 

Their limited-edition Lemon Artichoke Soup sounds irresistible, and it is as sour as it is refreshing. Plenty of acid from the artichoke, enhanced with lots of lemon. It's alright overall, but it was awfully watery, like a hot lemonade. The sandwich is just so much richer. 

 

The Fries are soggy. Sigh.

Wash it all down with a Coconut Caramel Iced Coffee, their special for the day. It's amazing, creamy with just enough sweetness. A well-balanced drink that you can't stop sipping. 

Another place with great potential. Amazing sandwich - I almost ordered another, and a great drink to make your morning right. I wasn't a huge fan of the other items, unfortunately, so I'll have to hit up this place again to see how often they hit...or miss. 

Capitola, CA

A beautiful beach, a view like an Italian village. 

 

Breathtaking and idyllic, it's perfect for avid surfers...and avid relaxers. I believe the little houses of Capitola Village are all for staying and shopping so we didn't end up walking over, but it's a pretty place for a half day or two.

Bay Cities Italian Deli UPDATE - Santa Monica

 

I wrote them off for five years because I didn't like a sandwich. Yes, I was an idiot.

Never judge a deli by just one sandwich, even if it’s their signature. Sorry, Godmother, you’re just not as magical as I wanted to believe, even on the second try. The meats are soft and salty, the mortadella almost creamy, and there is significant credit to be given for overall balance, but their other stuff is so much better. 

The Spaniard, for example, is a much stronger sandwich. The jamon is sliced so thin, and the accenting chunks of spicy chorizo are just...everything. The gruyere is melty, and the roasted tomatoes are next-level gooey and sweet. This is coming from a person who hates tomatoes.

“Pot roast should NOT be a sandwich!” 

“It’s too much.”

"I don't know about this..."

Shove it because I love it. Shredded chunks of soupy beef, braised to fall-apart tender, it’s loud and proud, a messy, soupy American dip. It's Sunday dinner in a sandwich, Phillippe's be damned.

Sandwiches are satisfying, but don’t stop there. Their deli counter is the best I've seen. 

Lukewarm Buffalo Wings don’t sound like they’d be great, but the sauce has a mouth-watering mix of spicy yet sweet and sharp - buy a bucket and make it a large.

The Mac n’ Cheese is the best stuff they sell, and the best I've had; big floppy elbows with the best bread crumbs, literally, ever.

The best stuff you can buy, just bring some cold hard cash. Great for Italian groceries, and check out all the cheese. Try all the sandwiches, too, and don’t leave without mac n’ cheese.

Orleans & York Deli - Carson

The boy wanted a po’boy and Darrow’s wasn’t open. That’s the only reason we ordered here. 

Do pardon my cynicism, the food isn't bad at all. It's nothing you'll remember, but definitely nothing you'll try to forget. 

The Catfish Po’boy is nice. A good, golden fry with even breading on tender filets. Plenty of it packed into a soft sub, squished in with shreds of lettuce and slices of tomato. 

The Shrimp Po’boy is better pan-grilled. Some seasoning on some butterflied shrimp, though not particularly flavorful, is a nice contrast to the monotony of more breading. Plus you can pretend it's healthy. 

They’re not my first choice for Cajun, and they're probably not my first choice for anything, but they’re not really not bad, just not particularly exciting. They’ll satiate and minimally satisfy but don’t expect the fireworks. Hold out for Darrow's if you're local, otherwise save yourself for Little Jewel of New Orleans in LA. 

Little Shop of Mary - Torrance

Banh mi for me but only if I remember to order on weekdays between 10 AM and 3 PM. For these sandwiches, I’ll set an alarm.

They put a lot of work into their banh mi and it shows. Each sandwich is stuffed full of all the good meat. The Classic Cold Cuts is deceptively complex with slices of soft pork loaf and tender roasted pork, punctuated by occasionally crunchy head cheese and smooth, creamy-grain pate. Major props for making their own pate and head cheese. My only issue is that the bread is a bit too chewy and dry in places. I assume it happened in transit as a consequence of toasting so I hope my Doordash will dash a little faster next time. 

The Roasted Pork is slow-roasted and it shows. Super tender, sweet-meat finish, love the acidic onions and fiery jalapeño.

And how about that Lemongrass Beef? It’s sweet and pretty, and I dare you to tell me those neat little rolls don’t make your inner OCD go ahhhh...not that my photo captured it at all...

When it comes to Vietnamese food, I may not know authentic I do know delicious. Little Shop of Mary is at least one, and I don’t doubt the other. Seriously, set an alarm for a weekday. Lunch could be a real treat. 

Rinaldi’s of Redondo - Redondo Beach

Sometimes it’s nice having someone else put your lunch together. That’s what they do at Rinaldi’s. Their brand is freshly-sliced Boar’s Head, and they carry a long menu full of every combinations of lunch meat.

The Owner’s Favorite is simple, a basic honey maple turkey, a TLT with mustard. 

The Godfather is a heavier, more filling choice, the sandwich of carnivores for sure. Your arteries will feel the Italian meats, steak, and bacon, but all of it warm with melty cheese makes for fewer regrets.

If you’re in Redondo and want to grab an easy lunch to eat by the beach, Rinaldi’s is definitely several steps above Subway. That said, I’m not sure I would go back. They don’t really “make” sandwiches, they just assemble them. The deli meat is fresh, and the bread is fine, but you won’t remember anything you had here. If you just want a good lunch-meat sandwich, this will hit the spot for a bit more than you’d pay to do it yourself, but you may want to save your money and do it yourself. 

Lardo - Las Vegas, NV

My friend Jeff once coined a term that I find most endearing. The word is "lardassio," used to describe a glutton, a person who just has all the fat and eats all the fat. 

Lardo is the lardassio's culinary spirit animal, fat-packed sandwiches executed with skill and class. You won't find glorified deli sandwiches behind this counter - they squeeze a lot of cohesive thought between two slices of bread. Each sandwich just screams of luxury, like these silky threads of Korean Pork Shoulder. The meat is marinated so far through you won't find a single thread not soaked. The house kimchi adds an acidic bite, and the chili mayo some spice and cream. It's heavy and it's rich, but few sandwiches complement a tall beer so well. 

The Pho'Rench Dip is a little lighter, a purse full of shaved beef with a dash of hoisin and mayo. Dipped in pho, the broth fills in all the nooks and crannies and soaks into the bread while clinging to the beef. 

If you're going to get dirty, Vegas is the place to do it. Try the Dirty Fries, crisp potato strips scrambled with pork scraps, pickled peppers, and plenty of parm. You don't need a side with sandwich portions like these, but I'm betting no one ever regretted these fries. 

Channel your inner lardassio at Lardo. They're all about the kind of gluttony that is so completely satisfying minus the grossness and regret. These sandwiches will get you through any hour of any day, and there's one for every mood.