My quest for Turkey Sandwiches led me to an extremely tough decision yesterday and I think this is a lesson that everyone can learn from.
While strolling through the “U district” in Seattle yesterday, I became hungry and in need of a Turkey Sandwich. There were plenty of options including some of the usual suspects like Jimmy John’s and Quizno’s. But I can eat their shit any day of the week. I wanted something different. I could have easily picked up a sandwich at Big Time Brewery where I drank four beers. I could have stopped in to Norm’s to see what they had on the menu.
I also could have tried a place called Davinci Subs. I was hungry and this was a big decision. In fact, I was so hungry that I could not afford to waste my time and money on a shitty sandwich. For 20 minutes, I paced in front of Davinci Subs waiting for some kind of sign to give me the go-ahead to walk in and order a Turkey Sandwich. It never happened. I never got that sign.
So I walked across the street and went to Which Wich.
And you know what? I enjoyed the shit out of that Pastrami Turkey Sandwich.
I realize that I have a certain responsibility to you, the readers of the Turkey Sandwich Report. I know that it’s my job to get out there and explore new and exotic Turkey Sandwiches. But yesterday it was about “ME” and I ordered that Turkey Sandwich for ME.
You might be asking “What’s the lesson here? The lesson is that this blog isn’t all about you. It’s about me and my Turkey Sandwiches. And sometimes I’m not in the mood to eat a shitty Turkey Sandwich so you can read something new on your lunch break. That’s all. If you don’t like it, go find a different Turkey Sandwich blog. I dare you.
Yesterday I went on Turkey Sandwich mission. A quickie from Jimmy John’s or Quizno’s just wasn’t going to cut it. I wanted to explore the Turkey Sandwiches of Seattle.
I ended up at Pike Place Market – specifically a place called Beecher’s. They make their own cheese and offer an array of grilled sandwiches. Paninis if you want to be all fancy and shit.
I ordered their Turkey offering which came topped with their famous “flagship” cheese. The sandwich was fine. I’m a sucker for a good grilled cheese, especially one with Turkey on it.
But here’s the problem: the sandwich lacked girth. I know it gets all smashed down when it’s put in that griddle, sandwich maker thing. But it was way too thin. Or maybe it was too small. And if I cant’ get more girth with my Turkey Sandwich then maybe I need a bowl of soup with it or something – because just the plain ol’ grilled sandwich wasn’t working for me.
I used to live in San Antonio, TX. I like to call it “The Tone”. The San Antonio Spurs are the only game in town down there in South Texas so you can’t avoid being exposed to at least 3 hours of Spurs conversations or TV coverage per day. So believe me, I know me some Spurs.
Today, someone on Twitter forwarded me a link to Spur player, Matt Bonner’s “Sandwich Hunter” blog. Obviously a takeoff on The Turkey Sandwich Report.
Sure, I could get pissy about this and rip on him for obviously copying my blog idea, but I’m not going to do that. Nope. I’m going to welcome the competition. In fact, I have already extended the Olive Branch to Matt Bonner and requested an interview to be featured right here on The Turkey Sandwich Report.
Here’s how I look at it: We both love sandwiches, so why can’t we be friends. Plus, it gives me an opportunity to have an NBA player admit he copied me. Stay tuned, Sportsfans. I promise that if I get to interview Matt Bonner, I will not let him off like Charles Barkley at a Vegas Buffet. He will get tough, hard-hitting sandwich questions.
The “Pick 2″ at Panera Bread (Saint Louis Bread Company to my friends in STL) probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves in the world of sandwiches. You can do soup-sandwich, sandwich-salad or soup-salad (although that’s not recommended).
Personally, I like the soup-Turkey Sandwich option because it gives me the opportunity to dip my sandwich in the soup. It doesn’t matter if it’s Chicken Noodle (although that’s my fave) or Tomato, Corn Chowder or even Chili – I’m dipping my Turkey Sandwich like a mofo.
I also enjoy dipping my cookies in milk. Dipping, dunking, whatever, I’m all about it.
Are the loyal readers of the Turkey Sandwich Report dippers like me? Let me know with the poll below:
Mrs. Turkey Sandwich went on a little road trip out to California this past week to visit some family and see how THEY do Turkey Sandwiches – specifically in Beverly Hills. I’ll sum it up for you in two words: they don’t.
Our first stop was this place in the heart of 90210 called Nate & Al Delicatessen. As we drove by, Mrs. Turkey Sandwich said, “Oh that place is really good! Expensive, but good.” So we stopped, parked and went in.
I’m not sure what it was about this place, but I just got a bad vibe. They had all of their blocks of meat out for clear viewing, but it looked gross. If we stayed, I knew I was going to get a bad sandwich and I was hungry enough to not be in the mood for any kind of sandwich shenanigans.
We left and walked down the street to another place called The Farm of Beverly Hills.
Again, we stopped by and checked the menu, but all they had was a faux Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich. Nope, not in the mood. I did a quick search on my iPhone and it came up with a place called Sunset Deli. I’ve been severely intoxicated and had some good times on the Sunset Strip before, so that sounded perfect.
We hustled over to Sunset, parked the car and power walked down to the Sunset Deli. It was 4:05 pm and the only way we could get screwed on this one is if they were one of those “lunch only” kind of places that seem to be gaining in popularity. Well, fuck me with a chainsaw – wouldn’t you know it, they closed at 4 o’clock. To rub salt in the wound even a little more, they’re a Boar’s Head Deli. Son of a fucking bitch.
A Turkey Sandwich was not meant to be on this day and we had to eat at some shitty pizza joint that apparently thought it was cool to have the cast of Road Rules, Brody Jenner. Paris Hilton and a bunch of other D list celebs sign their wall with a sharpie.
It’s not everyday that a top notch celebrity or athlete endorses their favorite place to get a sandwich. Well, Chase Daniel did just that today and boldly proclaimed that he’s a Quizno’s Guy.
Bold move, Chase. I’m not sure I agree with you, but I respect you making a bold statement.
I committed what I consider to be a pretty big sin yesterday. I left a perfectly good half of a Turkey Sandwich uneaten. I ordered a whole “Crazy Spicy” from the NYC Deli (in Seattle) and left the second half for a little afternoon treat. I broke the Cardinal Rule by not putting it in the refrigerator and that came back to bite me in the ass.
When I came back the next morning there was the second half of the Turkey Sandwich. Dead. Unedible. Here’s a photo before it passed away:
Wasn’t it a beautiful Turkey Sandwich? I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that it was the perfect sandwich or anything, but was a good sandwich… that cared about people. And now it’s gone. This particular Crazy Spicy Sandwich has a nice combination of Boar’s Head Cajun Turkey, green peppers, pepperoncini peppers and Cajun mayo.
This little guy was a fighter. He fought to the end, and I’ll always remember him for that. He’s in Turkey Sandwich Heaven now.
Today begins the Mardi Gras of Turkey Sandwiches and this is a friendly reminder not to blow your wad on Thanksgiving Dinner. I’m not saying you can’t eat till your full, but it’s easy to gorge yourself to the point where you can’t eat for the rest of the day. It’s a common mistake and I’m here to remind you NOT to do that.
Here’s the game plan:
Eat early. I recommend a late lunch, maybe around 1:30.
Lay down on the couch and watch the Lions get their ass beat… slowly doze off.
Wake up invigorated. Go outside and toss the football around for 10 minutes.
Come back inside and start planning out a Turkey Sandwich. Get those stomach juices flowing.
Around 6pm – get after it. Make yourself a kick-ass Turkey Sandwich.
Easy as that, folks. Just don’t blow your wad too early. That’s not good for anyone.
