Which Sandwhich?

[Forkster]

I'm making a long overdue first visit to Chapel Hill's Sandwhich this week and am wondering what to order. Too bad you can't pull a Loco Pops and order two smalls. I've read many raves about the OBLT and fewer about the roast beef.

Anyone out there have another favorite they'd tout as the best Sandwhich? This should jog your memory: http://www.sandwhich.biz/blog/?page_i...

[brokegradstudent]

This thread forced me to go to Sandwhich for lunch today. I've enjoyed everything I've had there but the lamb tangine special they have now is on another level entirely (even for $11).

[Rory]

I went back to Baba Ghanoush and had the Shwarma -seasoned lamb slices with garlic sauce. It was a rare meaty moment for me and was excellent. They chefs/owners are Moroccan, and it shows in their great food.

[Suzy Q]

Why don't you guys start a BG thread? This topic's kind of getting lost in the Sandwhich thread.

[otto_pivner]

Ooh, the avocado sandwich is absolutely delicious! I've gotten several of the other veggie sandwiches -- all tasty -- as well as the tuna sandwich minus the bacon but with a fried egg on top. The tuna sandwich was good, though the tuna salad was a little too tangy for my tastes. I'm not sure that I'll go in there again and feel compelled to order anything but the avocado. Try it.

[LulusMom]

I love the sandwiches I've had there, but agree that the tuna is a little odd. It has caraway seeds. I like caraway seeds, but they don't really go with tuna somehow. The cheese/avocado sandwich is pure heaven. And a goat cheese special I had once ... mmmm. And I like the chips a lot.

[suse]

What makes the avocado sandwich so wonderful that goes beyond what you can do with an avocado and bread at home? I haven't tried it - I am just truly curious because I love avocado and would be all over it if it's truly worth the premium $$.

[otto_pivner]

The sourdough bread, which I understand is from Weaver Street, is grilled lightly; they then put mayo, arugula, avocado, and thinly sliced red onions all on the grilled side of the bread and season with a little salt & pepper. So it's probably not all that difficult to replicate at home, though it's one of the cheaper items on their menu. I have no problem paying seven bucks for it.

[Rory]

Oh now I've got to go; how late are they open, the times I've tried to have a bite the place was closed.
btw is baba ghanoush open in that courtyard yet? i need felafal.

[LulusMom]

I think they close at 4 (although it might be 4:30). I've been disappointed showing up too late a couple of times myself.

Not sure about Baba Ghanoush, but I'm looking forward to it too.

[Suzy Q]

Slightly OT, but Rory, there are several other Baba G locations in the Triangle. I highly recommend them.

Parking in that area can be a challenge, from what I understand. Anybody have any recommended times to try to hit Sandwhich?

[LulusMom]

I'm walking distance, so can't vouch for how tough it is to snag one, but there are parking spaces out back of the building where Sandwhich is. And a few spaces on the street near it.

[brokegradstudent]

Since they blocked off the back half of that little lot, it is much harder to find a spot. There are a few in front of Penang on Franklin and on the street on the side. I usually park on Cameron and walk over.

[otto_pivner]

I walked through the courtyard last night and it appeared as if Baba Ghanouj is now open for business.

[Rory]

Oh it is! Thanks to you I had dinner there tonight. And I ate waay too much.
The menu is surprisingly big, with plenty of veg stuff: felafel, eggplant, fava beans (ful) and plenty of meaty things; Shwarma and kabobs.
I thought the felafals great, light and bright green inside with herbs. Ask for hot sauce:) The baba ghannoush the best we ever had; smoky and fresh. The yoghurt sublime.
My father loved his beef kabob, it was nice and pink inside.Adored the eggplant in tomato side dish. The green beans were excellent too. This is more refined Middle Eastern food. Bliss

We had wine from 3 Cups with dinner, dessert: superb honey cake and cigars, and Yrgacheffe coffee from 3 Cups. We agreed it was the best coffee we ever had.

It's takeout type: plastic plates etc and the upstairs isn't open yet. But they have an office type space indoors with tables across the courtyard. And they nicely brought it over.The tables in the couryard will be lovely when the weather is mild.
Enjoy!

[LulusMom]

Fantastic - I can't wait to try it. Thanks for the report.

[otto_pivner]

I'm a huge fan of baba ghanouj -- I'll have to give it a try there. Have you tried the b.g. from Med Deli just down the street? They make fantastic stuff and I wonder how it compares.

[LulusMom]

I like Med Deli a lot too, but their falafel is pretty lame. I'm hoping BG's will be better.

[Rory]

Lm & Otto:
I am disappointed in Med Deli, so if you want an earthy type baba, you won't get it. It's not garlicky at all.The food is more Tallulah type refined than street food.
I loved it; will be back often:)

[Suzy Q]

If they have the meatloaf when you visit again, give it a try. It's yummy - moist and well spiced. I agree with the others that the OBLT is also good.

If we feel like a "splurge" on a Saturday afternoon, we'll go to Sandwhich for lunch and then finish up with dessert and a French press at 3 Cups. We'd probably do that more often if it wasn't so darn pricey.

[BryanZ]

Was in CHill today and sought this place out. I'm reminded of the likes of Tom Collichio's 'wichcraft or Starwich. Sometimes "gourmet" sandwiches are anything but this place has the chops.

It's rather expensive for the area, especially considering you don't get anything but a few olives on the side, but I think the quality is there.

Had sardine sandwich and the bacon, butternut squash, and brussels sprout. Also picked up a small order of chips, which I found to be well executed if only ever so slightly undersalted. Both sandwiches were well balanced and well constructed. The sardine is assertive, but refreshingly so. Really enjoyed the bacon sandwich too. I'd like to go back and try the more traditional sandwiches too. Decent selections of beers was another unexpected plus.

Really don't have anything bad to say except for the fact that it's a bit expensive for lunch, and I don't really get the significance of the spelling of the name.

[fussycouple]

The joke goes:

Q: Why can't you starve in the Sahara Desert?

A: Because of the sand which is there.

Get it? Get it? Har har! the sandwiches there? whooooooo.

Yup, that's it, that's the reason for the spelling. Now don't you wish you were still uninformed?

[brokegradstudent]

Um, isn't one of the owners called Hich (or do I need to learn not to believe everything on the internet)?

[BryanZ]

My soul just died a little.

[Suzy Q]

Are you kidding me? I think they let all of Chapel Hill down with that one.

[mfg]

I wonder where the joke rumor came from. A couple owns the restaurant, and the husband is indeed named Hich. Really nice guy. As for which sandwich to get, I always get the regular BLT. Can't bring myself to branch out because it's so good.

[dubedo]

Second the tuna sandwich - definitely the best I've had (as it should be for the price . . . ).

[Forkster]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't love tuna, but I know some folks who do and will have them order that when I return to Sandwhich...soon. What a place! I got the OBLT and was quite happy. In fact, you can read my full impressions here: http://forkandspoonblog.blogspot.com/...

I agree that the price raises the bar, but I'm OK paying $9 for a sandwich that tasty.

[brokegradstudent]

I love the OBLT, but I'm fairly sure you can't go wrong. Also, be sure to get an order of the chips to share.

[inmybackpages]

TUNA SANDWICH.

The best sandwich evar! Seriously, get them to describe to you how they make the tuna salad. It will blow your mind.