Smiling Moose Deli Rolls Out the Red Carpet for the Turkey Sandwich Report

Being a Turkey Sandwich “insider” has its perks.  For example, on a fairly regular basis, I’m invited to power lunches with some of the movers and shakers of the sandwich and/or deli industry.  This past week, the guys at Smiling Moose Deli, invited me to stop by their Colorado Blvd store for a few sandwiches and a chat.

Big props to these guys – they know how to treat a VIP such as yours truly.  First of all, they had a rock start parking space waiting for me – which is a big deal at this location.  (take note of the silver Camry on the right)

Secondly, the brought out not one, not two, but THREE Turkey Sandwiches for me to sample.

Overall, it was a great meeting with Kevin and Kevin at Smiling Moose.  Here’s what I learned:

1. The quality of Turkey is predicated on how many Turkey parts are used in making the meat.  Smiling Moose uses three part Turkey whereas some of those OTHER sandwich chains use 8 or 9 part Turkey.  That sounds disgusting.

2. Smiling Moose has a Turkey Philly Cheesesteak and it’s pretty damn tasty.

3. Turkey Sandwiches make up 70% of sales at deli/sandwich shops.  That’s a big number, but a guy who owns a chain of sandwich shops told me this, so I know it’s true.

Here’s my part of my chat with Kevin and Kevin from Smiling Moose Deli.

For Sale: Tat’s Frequent Feeder Card with Seven Stamps

FOR SALE:

A Tat’s East Coast Deli Frequent Feeder Card with 7 stamps on it. I no longer live in Seattle, so it looks like I’m not going to be able to fill out the remaining 3 stamps to qualify for the free sandwich.

To get your free sandwich at Tat’s, you have two options:
1) Buy this card from me for $2.50 and buy three more sandwiches and get a stamp each time.
2) If you have a card with 3 or more stamps on it already, you’re good to go for a free sandwich.

If you think about it, I’m really giving you about $50 worth of work for $2.50.  That’s a good deal if you ask me.

I will accept cash or checks, but I will wait for the check to clear before sending the card.

This is also listed on Craigslist: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/1910512655.html

Dumping your sandwiches like a pile of shit doesn’t make me want to eat them

This edition of the Turkey Sandwich Report serves a dual purpose:

1. It’s about sandwiches
2. It’s about marketing – which I discuss in my other blog: youcantbuythat.com

Apparently Jimmy Johns wants to celebrate their 1000th store opening, so they gave away 1000 sandwiches to an unsuspecting consumer.  So Jimmy John himself pulled up to an apartment complex in Tampa and dumped 1000 sandwiches.  Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxDlkOFbsHM

I see a couple problems:

1. Dumping 1000 sandwiches out of a dump truck is reminiscent of dumping a big ol’ pile of shit.
2. The consumer looks less than excited.  In fact, he looks fucking pissed.

How does Jimmy John’s think this is going to sell more sandwiches?

They think people will laugh at it.  It’s not really all that funny?

They think the video will go viral and increase awareness?  I don’t see any reason why anyone other than a Sandwich Blogger would pass this along.

Overall, just I think this is stupid.  In fact, I am boycotting on Jimmy John’s solely because this is so dumb.  If you think it’s dumb too, you should join me.

I’m leaving Seattle and I may not get my free sandwich from Tat’s

My time in Seattle is coming to an end.  After working up here for the last 14 months, I’m heading back home to Denver. Mendelson’s, I’ll be there soon.

For the last 14 months I have been carrying around what I like to call a “frequent feeder” card from Tat’s Delicatessen.  When you buy 10, you get one for free.  As you can see, I have seven stamps.  I need three more and I’m here for one more week.

Ok, yea, there’s plenty of time to get three more stamps.  But there are also a few places I would like to hit before I go.  The Paseo is one of them.  I don’t even know where The Paseo is, but people rave about it.

My friend Blue, who’s basement I live in when I’m in Seattle also tells me about a place in Ballard where all of the Longshormen hang out.  He says they have a pretty kick ass sandwich.  I’m definitely going there this week.

I also need to visit Delicatus and Specialty’s at least one more time.  It wouldn’t be right for me to leave them without saying goodbye.

So what should I do?  Maybe I could do as the street kids do at the bus stop and try sell my frequent feeder card like they do with transfer passes?

The Husky Delicatessen

Husky Delicatessen B/W, originally uploaded by nealdstewart.

The Husky Delicatessen is a bit of an institution here in West Seattle. As they say, “it feels like it’s from days gone by.” Along with the deli, they sell ice cream have a nice selection of beer and non-alc drinks and sell what appears to be a shit load of specialty condiments.

I’ve been meaning to get my ass over there for a Turkey Sandwich because everyone talks it up so much. I would have visited the Husky Delicatessen sooner, but there are two reasons why I didn’t:

1. I have to walk up a giant hill to get there, so sometimes I just stay home.
2. There are a bunch of bars in the same area and I can get distracted at times.

I enjoyed the sandwich, but it was a slippery mo’fo. It was Turkey with BBQ and roasted red peppers on a French Baguette and I had trouble keeping the food in-between the bread.

The sandwich was ‘aight – but I think I’m going for an ice cream cone next time.

The Line at Tat’s is Ridiculous

Tat’s is a solid sub shop.  They specialize in Philly Cheesesteaks, but they also have some nice Turkey Sandwiches.  They’ve always done a nice little business and there is typically a line, but I could get in and out with sandwich in a few minutes.

They recently moved – literally around the corner from their old location in Pioneer Square, Seattle – and all of the sudden, you would think it’s the Viper Room circa 1993.

Here’s a look at the line, it’s ridiculously long.

This line is at least 30 minutes to just order a sandwich.  Then it’s probably another 15 to get it.  Screw that.

The thing that really sucks is that I only need three more stamps on my frequent feeder card to get a free sandwich.  Unless I bust out for an early lunch, it looks like that’s not going to happen any time soon.

The Messiest Non-condimented Turkey Sandwich Ever

Bakemans Sandwich, originally uploaded by nealdstewart.

When you get a Turkey Sandwich at Bakeman’s, you either do it the Bakeman’s way or the Highway.You can’t get your bread toasted.

• You can’t get your bread toasted. It’s against the rules.
• You have to make your decisions fast. They don’t have time for your indecisive bullshit. Tell them what you want on your sandwich and move on.
• They’ll also try to up-sell your ass with over priced sodas, chips and desserts.
• It’s mayo, yellow mustard or nothin’.

But they use REAL turkey and that makes it all worth it. The result is a sloppy-ass sandwich and I’m completely fine with that.

And make sure you get some cornbread too.

Where is the Sandwich District of Seattle?

Last week, I promised to settle the dispute between Pioneer Square and Fremont as to who can own the title “Sandwich District of Seattle”. I’ve made my decision.

My answer is: Ballard.

I like Turkey Sandwiches, but Screw This

Tat’s, originally uploaded by nealdstewart.

Tat’s opened up their new joint today. The Turkey Sandwich Report was there to document the festivities and we have one thing to report:

It was crowded as fuck.

And for those of you that know the Turkey Sandwich Report, we don’t wait in line, So we took our lunch business elsewhere. Tat’s has good sandwiches, but not good enough for us to stand in line for 40 minutes.

Just saying.

The Turkey Sandwiches of Fremont

I’m still sorting through all of the information that I gathered from my trip to Fremont yesterday as I try to decide what neighborhood really should be dubbed “Seattle’s Sandwich District”.  No decisions yet, but here’s a look at the two sandwiches I ate:

Roxy’s Turkey Chipotle:

Turkey Bacon Avocado (86 the Avocado) from Homegrown: