657428 Tue Oct 06 07:28:21 -0700 2009 46 11 South 0 5082369 Thoughts? Looking for a great sandwich--bonus points if it's in Raleigh, so I don't have to drive as far. Something super-delicious and satisfying, something that makes you think, "That's the best sandwich I've ever had!" The best one I've had so far was at Alon's in Atlanta: Air-cured beef, grilled fennel, shaved parmesan and pink peppercorn dressing on ciabatta. But there's got to be something to top that around here--I'm on a quest & would love some guidance. Thanks! Tue Oct 06 07:28:21 -0700 2009 216137 kimgirl 1 5082582 For me, in order 1. Sandwhich 2. Neal's 3. Parker & Otis 4. Guglehupf Tue Oct 06 08:34:17 -0700 2009 5082369 67996 brokegradstudent 1 5082911 I can't pick a best. Good ones include steak sandwich at Coquette chicken & bacon at La Farm bleu cheese burger w onion rings at Abbey Road Tue Oct 06 10:36:16 -0700 2009 5082369 52884 AreBe 1 5083138 One of my all-time favorite sandwiches in Raleigh is the Plethora at the Third Place coffee shop at Five Points. It's a veggie delight - with homemade hummus, homemade tabouli, pico de gallo, sprouts, scallions, sunflower seeds, havarti cheese and mustard served on whole grain bread. (Plus - I love that they've been serving that same sandwich since they opened some 15 or so years ago.) Tue Oct 06 11:41:30 -0700 2009 5082369 26699 cackalackie 1 5083602 Philly steak at Pizza Italia- Westgate at Rt. 70 in N'West Raleigh.... this place is a hidden gem! Tue Oct 06 14:19:58 -0700 2009 5082369 162138 jiminea 2 5083676 Pizza Italia makes a darn fine pizza too. Ultra thin. I'll have to try the Cheesesteak. thanks for the tip. I like the club at Scooter's biker bar on Atlantic Ave. Tue Oct 06 14:46:28 -0700 2009 5083602 273363 Fu Dee 1 5084116 I'm not generally a cold sammy fan, but I do love the warm focaccia sandwiches at Food Factory in Cary. I also like the chicken and tuna salads at La Farm in Cary (although that's primarily because of the bread, natch), and Hayes Barton in Five Points makes a mean egg salad. Tue Oct 06 18:01:13 -0700 2009 5082369 67610 Suzy Q 2 5089520 I really like the BLT at Sandwhich in CH. Great interpretation of the classic sandwich. One day a couple of years ago, the the Federal had a braised warm brisket on some kind of a roll. I don't even remember the specifics beyond the fact that the bread and brisket seemed to combine. It was great! One of the best sandwiches I ever had. Thu Oct 08 16:11:27 -0700 2009 5084116 15062 Tom from Raleigh 3 5090204 Merritt's Country Store BLT is the best in the land. Thu Oct 08 21:56:25 -0700 2009 5089520 40560 jsb23nc 1 5089676 Braised pork/jalapenos/cheddar at The Federal Thu Oct 08 17:10:08 -0700 2009 5082369 168938 LBD 2 5089884 Oh my, yes. Thu Oct 08 19:00:31 -0700 2009 5089676 25244 rockycat 1 5090422 The Merritt BLT is a winner, I really like the flank steak ciabatta at the Food Factory. My winner is the croque monsieur at La Farm. Ham, cheese in toasted La Farm bread with mornay sauce on top. A little messy, but the cheese goodness from the gruyere and mornay have my mouth watering as I write this. It's regularly $5.95 but at brunch on weekends it's less than $7 including fruit salad and fried potatoes. Fri Oct 09 04:44:28 -0700 2009 5082369 10614 blewgo 2 5090591 Is it true that if you got Merritt's you'll come out smelling like bacon? I just wantt to know before I go on a workday. Fri Oct 09 06:36:34 -0700 2009 5090422 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 3 5090609 So much of visiting a restaurant is a personal experience. People have different tastes and perceptions of the same thing. Go yourself and tell us what you experience, not what you read on the internet. Fri Oct 09 06:43:05 -0700 2009 5090591 10614 blewgo 1 5090601 While I too don't tend to eat sandwiches when I go out. I do love a good Monte Christo and had one in Cary at a place across from where Trader Joe's is.. can't remember the name at the moment. Anyways, I went to SandwHich in Chapel Hill and was a bit disappointed and didn't think the price was right (even with their special going on). Do you consider Falafel and Gyros sandwiches? I'm assuming you mean non burger places. Neal's deli makes a good sandwich though they use Guglhupf bread. I also am found of some of the selections at Foster's Market (Durham or Chapel Hill), but they too are expensive for a sandwich. I really like Village Deli's Chicken Salad on Ciabatta (they have al ocation in Cameron Village) and I'm curious about Side Street's offerings in downtown Raleigh. Fri Oct 09 06:41:41 -0700 2009 5082369 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 2 5090837 Thanks for sharing some of your experiences! I have been to Side Street a couple of times. My SO's family are long time Raleigh folks and love it. I think it probably was progressive and had a menu with something a little different when they opened in the late '70's. I doubt they have really updated the menu since. The food is fine, it didn't excite me or wow me enough to really remember the details. The atmosphere is what I call southern tea room - brick-brack, florals, shabby chic furniture. The service is gracious but very spotty. Glasses repeatedly promised to be refilled, dishes "auctioned" (a pet peeve) when delivered, side dishes screwed up, condiments forgotten. Those I know who like Side Street seem drawn largely by the memories dining there holds for them - "We always go to Side Street after the Christmas tour of Oakwood" sort of thing. Not sharing those memories and experiencing it in real time leaves me underwhelmed. It is good for a time capsule experience of a ladies lunch place 25 years ago! Fri Oct 09 08:06:09 -0700 2009 5090601 111267 meatn3 1 5090795 Don't get over to Raleigh much for lunch, although Porter's does a damn fine burger. Another vote for the Merritt's BLT, though it's really at its zenith in late july-august, when local tomatoes are in season. Some other tasty sammies in Chapel Hill/Durham-- The Reuben at Piedmont made with house-cured corned beef. The Manhattan at Neal's Deli. The braised pork Banh Mi at Jujube. The Italian Stallion at J & J's deli. The shrimp po' boy at Watts. The duck confit and french fry crepe (does this count?) at Rue Cler I have always been underwhelmed by Guglhupf, although their pastries are rockin. Fri Oct 09 07:49:47 -0700 2009 5082369 185225 Pigloader 2 5092331 From NY with Love in Raleigh has a sandwich called a Tasty Tongue with tongue and salami that's just heavenly. There area lot of tasty sandwiches on their menu. Fri Oct 09 16:49:30 -0700 2009 5090795 15062 Tom from Raleigh 3 5096467 Yeah it's a shame so many people I know here tongue and turn their nose up at it. It really is a great piece of meat for sandwiches (if cooked right). I get the same reaction when I mention Mortadella too. Though other people will eat liver mush or souse meat. Kinda funny what makes people think of something icky. Mon Oct 12 05:28:04 -0700 2009 5092331 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 1 5097158 One of the Baguettes at Spize Cafe on Fayetteville St in Raleigh Mon Oct 12 10:22:25 -0700 2009 5082369 16121 TerryG 1 5097688 The best sandwich I've ever had in the triangle is the Torta Cubano at Tacos Y Mariscos Vallarta on Capital Boulevard. If you've never had a torta cubano, this one is forking awesome!! The torta is built on an 8" round, crusty white roll. There is a breaded, fried pork cutlet as the base. On top of this is a spicy ground beef mixture with mayo, avocado, lettuce, tomato, salsa, guacamole, two fried eggs and loads of white spanish cheese. The whole thing is then pressed on the grill making the cheese melt all over the place. I guarantee that nothing in the triangle compares to this gastronomic monstrosity! Mon Oct 12 13:42:37 -0700 2009 5082369 159221 jrfulbright 2 5099201 Is that restaurant on the left - as you head north? Free-standing in the parking lot of a shopping center - with a colorful and slightly tacky sign? Tue Oct 13 07:08:58 -0700 2009 5097688 26699 cackalackie 3 5102232 You got it! Best thing is, it's open 24/7! Wed Oct 14 08:16:57 -0700 2009 5099201 159221 jrfulbright 4 5102709 24/7? No way! Anything else you'd recommend? Wed Oct 14 11:04:26 -0700 2009 5102232 26699 cackalackie 5 5104993 Pretty much anything on the menu that I've had has been awesome. They offer a great variety of seafood dishes: ceviche, etc. They have one crazy dish that's like $80 and feeds 6 people that looks like some giant type of paella or something. Their chile rellenos are some of my favorites. Thu Oct 15 07:50:54 -0700 2009 5102709 159221 jrfulbright 2 5099331 I like that restaurant but haven't been in a while. That sandwich sounds amazing. Keep in mind, though, that a Mexican cubana has very little in common with a Cuban cubana. Both pretty darn fine sandwiches, but different creatures. Tue Oct 13 07:53:41 -0700 2009 5097688 25244 rockycat 2 5099740 I have had a torta cubano in N. Durham where it was more like a Cubano sandwich in Torta form and not like this which sounds more like what a torta cubano would be (which in and of itself sounds like a kitchen sink of latino sandwiches). Once I get better I'll have to try this out and make sure I have plenty of napkins I'd guess. Tue Oct 13 10:05:22 -0700 2009 5097688 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 3 5100251 I had that Sandwich once (at Vallarta's), pretty good, thought that I was going to die after finishing it though. The Version at Fonda has hot dogs in it. Tue Oct 13 12:38:47 -0700 2009 5099740 69475 chazzer 4 5102250 Yeah, it's definitely an instant nap sandwich. It comes with fries, which I never touch. If you go, make sure you request the salsa verde. They won't bring it out unless you're spanish or request it. =) Wed Oct 14 08:22:22 -0700 2009 5100251 159221 jrfulbright 2 5108900 oh man, that sounds good as hell. Fri Oct 16 14:07:17 -0700 2009 5097688 216137 kimgirl 2 5167335 Tried the Torta Cubano last Sat. night.......place was packed and the place had a nice/ authentic feel. I had the sandwich to go, which was probably a mistake........it was very disapointing.....cutlet was overcooked in overused oil......I don't know how much better it would have been had I eaten in.....$9.19 with tax for the guige, fries, chips and a 2oz salsa.......I was so looking forward to this sandwich am debating a second try.... PS this in no way was a "monstrous" sandwich... Mon Nov 09 10:27:01 -0800 2009 5097688 180133 Saddleoflamb 3 5167750 Also don't let that keep you from trying a Torta from another taqueria some make them better than others. It's like burgers in the sense that the basic components are usually the same but some places just do them better. Mon Nov 09 12:35:29 -0800 2009 5167335 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 1 5103997 Wow - How has no one mentioned the Rockford? Not only is it actually in Raleigh proper, but it's even INSIDE THE BELTLINE!! It's on Glenwood South, across from the Hibernian. The ABC sandwich is outstanding, but I've never heard any complaints on anything ordered from there. Wed Oct 14 19:02:51 -0700 2009 5082369 214115 wb247 2 5104917 Thank you! I was thinking that earlier. I haven't been there in ages --- must go! Thu Oct 15 07:18:35 -0700 2009 5103997 26699 cackalackie 2 5106860 +1 on the ABC from the Rockford. Just be prepared to wash your hands after finishing. Great bar too! Thu Oct 15 18:50:29 -0700 2009 5103997 1096333 bobr821 1 5108265 Sandwhich-hard to go wrong with anything, but their specials are always fun Busy Bee-all of their burger variations are great Capital Ice Market-best authentic shrimp burger Green Basil-any of their bahn mi's are good, but the red cooked pork is solid Dalat-only ever tried the grilled tofu bahn mi, only tofu sandwich that I've every liked Neomonde-can someone make a better falafel around here? Fri Oct 16 10:39:52 -0700 2009 5082369 163247 initialdrew 2 5112119 I always assumed this thread was outside of the burger realm. Sun Oct 18 09:29:19 -0700 2009 5108265 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 2 5169864 I second Dalat! I like to get the pork sandwich, it is on crusty french bread with mayo, daikon, jalapenos, carrots, sliced seasoned pork topped with fresh cilantro. Make sure you get some fresh rolls too, Dalat makes the BEST peanut sauce. Tue Nov 10 08:05:22 -0800 2009 5108265 18371 waitress 1 5109772 Not the best I've ever had, but the panini at Toast in Durham are very good, and certainly worth an honorable mention.. especially the three cheese panino with parmigiano reggiano, asiago fresca, pecorino and truffle oil. Fri Oct 16 23:19:54 -0700 2009 5082369 20064 durhamois 1 5147845 All the years I worked in Raleigh, I was addicted to just about anything with the homemade mustard on it at Sunflowers. (If anyone can tell me how to rip that one off, I'll worship you!) Veggie melt, new club in town, tuna melt - all yummy. They also make their tuna salad with sweet relish - just like my momma used to make! Also in Raleigh, BB&Y makes an unbelievable Mushroom and Swiss burger. It's small but decadent. Tylers and Seaboard Cafe both have rockin' tuna melts. They both have cranberries in them - Seaboard puts cranberry sauce on top of a traditional tuna salad; Tylers mixes the berries in. Mmmmmm, tuna melt... My new addiction is the French Beef at Saladelia in Durham. Really thick cut roast beef, provalone and some sort of magical yum sauce called "white french dressing." Sun Nov 01 17:37:01 -0800 2009 5082369 272888 eh27713 2 5148531 What's BB&Y? Thanks for the rest of these recommendations. They all sound great! Mon Nov 02 06:18:12 -0800 2009 5147845 26699 cackalackie 3 5152861 BB&Y is totally hidden! It's in an office building in an older office park on National Drive in Raleigh. From Glenwood Avenue - on the other side of the beltline and other side of the street from Crabtree - turn onto Women's Club Drive. Continue past the roundabout. It's in the first building on your right. First floor. Turn down the hallway to the left. It's really cute and the family that owns it is great. (I've seen grown men go in and just tell Johnnie, the lady who owns it, to feed them. She'll say, "well you had the burger yesterday, so I think you need a salad.") I think their website is bbycafe.com. They also do great catering for business meetings. Tue Nov 03 13:08:46 -0800 2009 5148531 272888 eh27713 1 5148623 I went back to Neal's Deli in Carrboro the other day to try something with their Corned Beef instead of Pastrami. Got their Reuben and really enjoyed it. Definitely fills a niche of how to do Pastrami and Corned beef right. Mon Nov 02 07:00:31 -0800 2009 5082369 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 2 5148635 if you can, try to get over there for breakfast, where you can get them with a baked egg and cheese on a biscuit. very dangerous... Mon Nov 02 07:03:34 -0800 2009 5148623 13959 cervisiam 3 5160867 Do they make hash with their corned beef? If so, and they do it well, I'll take time of from work to go eat it! Fri Nov 06 08:37:58 -0800 2009 5148635 21285 bbqme 4 5161268 Surprisingly it is not on their menu. They may have it as a special. Seems like they would have all the components. Fri Nov 06 10:53:58 -0800 2009 5160867 1084217 burgeoningfoodie 1 5154758 I love the sandwiches at Hotpoint Deli in Cary. It used to be the original Maximillians, on Buck Jones Rd across from that mall. My fave is the Chicken Caesar, my wife likes the Spicy Pesto Chicken. Most are served on a herb focaccia that's outstanding. Wed Nov 04 07:47:01 -0800 2009 5082369 281905 wvu_sam