Hey Gainesville, Make Me a Sandwich

• Tweet

• Tweet

“Too few people understand a really good sandwich,” James Beard, the eccentric American chef and food writer, once said.

Judging by the endless lines at Subway all day every day here in Gainesville, it seems as though the locals are lacking adequate sandwich understanding as well.

Whether you’re piling 10 pounds of leftovers from the fridge onto two old slices of bread like Dagwood or still defrosting your peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables, it’s time to explore the true capacity of a Gainesville sandwich and GainesvilleScene will lead the way.

Matt’s pick – 43rd Street Deli

I recently ventured down to 43rd street to go check out this deli that apparently all the locals here in Gainesville rave about. Turns out, their raving was justified (for once). 43rd Street Deli is the exact kind of place that I, personally, look for in a city. Quaint with a feeling of everything being homemade – inside and outside seating with breakfast served all-day on the outskirts of the “campus” part of town; what else does someone who’s had Bagels and Noodles 3 times a week look for in a food joint?

After walking in and being greeted by the sweetest old lady I’ve ever met, my roommate and I sat down at on the picnic-table styled seats inside the joint. The menu at this place is quite extensive and  I asked the lady for a recommendation – again, the sweetest old lady that has ever existed in the 352 – and she looked at me with her big blue eyes and earnestly proclaimed that everything on the menu was “absolutely delicious.” It took me about 30 seconds to order after looking at their “Gainesville’s Best” page on the menu and the Mahi sandwich was a no brainer. The opposing meal that my roommate tackled was a good old fashion Philly cheese steak. I’m going to be honest, I wish I would have gotten the cheese steak because it was one of the best bites of philly I’ve had in a while, not to say the Mahi wasn’t equally as delicious. The portioning was large and I know that because I was hunched over on my couch about to fall into a much-deserved food coma after tutoring zone Finance weeklies (slowly dying inside).

This place does great work on breakfast as well and the staff was all extremely friendly so for whatever it’s worth, I give this restaurant a solid 9.2/10 on the Matthew scale of eateries in Gainesville.

Take a date there, take mom there, or take Professor Goslinga there to help bump up that 89.7 to a 90…gotta love me some financial accounting.

 

Emma’s pick – Tempo Bistro To Go

“Presenting artful combinations of simply good ingredients”

Let that tagline soak in for a moment.

The sandwiches created at Tempo Bistro can only be described as art…outrageously fresh and delicious masterpieces. The place is quaint and brightly colored and with a pop art painting of R2D2, what’s not to love?

If you’re an earth lover and/or tree hugger (or just a person who doesn’t want to ingest 278 chemicals and preservatives at each meal), you’ll be please to know all the food is grown locally; right in the back of the restaurant is a garden and composting area as well. Did I mention the food is outrageously fresh? The employees are friendly to the point where I’m pretty sure at least two of them will be invited to my wedding. I walked in one day and someone was trying out a new soup recipe. They handed me a warm little cup and asked me try it out free of charge; they genuinely wanted my opinion and genuinely enjoyed creating their culinary artworks.

My recommendation? Grab a bottle of one of their ginger infused lemonades and one of these scrumptious sammies.
Chocolate Elvis - Nutella and Ward’s honey roasted peanut butter, applewood smoked bacon OR thinly sliced apples, Tempo jam and bananas on multigrain
(Bacon and nutella? C’MON PEOPLE, THIS IS REVOLUTIONARY)
or
Tempeh Waldorf - Tempeh and provolone cheese, with apples, roasted walnuts and celery tossed in a vegan agave-lemon vinaigrette and seasonal lettuce, tomato and microgreens on multigrain

 

Luke’s pick – Ivey’s Grill

I love eating healthy. I can’t think of a healthier place than Ivey’s. My standard is the BBQ tempeh sandwich. If you’re looking for something that won’t make you feel guilty about your expanding waste line or the sheer number of animals you’ve downed in your lifetime (lets face it, it’s a lot), Ivey’s is the place. The tempeh is the best I’ve had in Gainesville. For those of you that don’t know, it’s a soy product similar to tofu that typically comes in the shape of a burger patty. If you’ve had subpar tofu or tempeh, I’m sure it left a bad impression. Tempeh isn’t like pizza; when its bad, its really bad. If you’re looking for a paradigm shift on tempeh, give Ivey’s a shot. The BBQ sauce alone is worth the voyage. Everything on the menu is about as fresh as it comes, and you won’t be disappointed with the atmosphere. There’s fun books on every table and the staff exudes friendliness. I’d recommend Ivey’s if you like things that taste good, bro. It’s a Gainesville staple and one of my personal favorites.

 

Daniel’s pick  – Flaco’s Cuban Bakery

The night of the LSU game last year, my friends and I went to Flaco’s in Midtown for dinner before going out. While we were eating, two drunk alumni from the class of 2010 swung the door open and immediately began talking to us. They decided to tell us their entire life stories and made us help them decide what to order. One got the Cuban Gator and the other got plantains and cream cheese. After their food came out, our new friend insisted on us all ceremoniously taking a bite from the sandwich. The other guy took one bite of his, declared it disgusting, threw it in the trash and walked away. However, he left the other half still wrapped on my table. I had to know if really was that bad. I tried it, liked it and finished it. That was the first time I had a legendary Flaco’s sandwich.

Flaco’s does Miami street food right, and is great for a late-night fix or a quick meal. The sandwiches at Flaco’s are all made on fresh Cuban bread and toasted on a panini press. The sandwiches are traditional Cuban fare, with the classic Cuban, Medianoche and shredded pork. Each is delicious, but they’re famous for their Cuban Gator, which is ropa vieja (shredded beef) and shredded pork with the toppings of the classic Cuban.

Flaco’s may be a tiny place with no air conditioning, but you’re supposed to grab your sandwich and go. They have a location in downtown and midtown, they are open until 2:30 a.m. most nights and they are reasonably priced. Flaco’s is the perfect spot to get a great, quick sandwich when you’re in a rush or a hungry night owl.

 

Morgan’s pick – Hiro’s

I love Asian food. I love subs. When I begin my search for the perfect Gainesville sandwich, I immediately decided to follow my heart and an overwhelming amount of hype, and take the long trek down Archer to Hiro. The marriage of hearty hoagie and oriental flavor is the most successful interracial matrimony since that of Yoko Ono and John Lennon. Not to mention a congregation of quipping, eloquently named menu options. Hiro Asian Sandwiches, I now pronounce you absolutely delicious.

Let’s start with my picks. After the roommates and I selected, ordered and sampled one another’s options in true womanly fashion, my vote is goes to the “Miyagi Five-O”. It’s a tantalizing blend of tender, sauced soaked chicken, grilled pineapple, caramelized onions and mushrooms all cozied up to the warmth of the restaurant’s flaky yet pillow-soft bread. Drench that bish in teriyaki sauce and your taste buds will bow to their sandwich sensei with utmost honor. I’m also a massive fan of the “Seoul Good”. With the perfect amounts of pork bulgolgi, pickled carrots and daikon, and crisp romaine, you’ll never settle for the pulled, game day version again. Be sure to order a side of fries, douse your spuds in “Flocka Flame” seasoning from the spice bar, and proceed to savor. However, you’ll probably be unable to do it with no hands.

Suspicious that punny choices like the “Sloppy Cho” and “Cluck Yu” might pack a comedic punch but not a lip-smacking one? Have no fear nay-sayers. Let your creative juices flow by building your own sub or burger. Select your favorites from a palate of veggies, proteins, sauces, and breads and admire then quickly scarf that masterpiece you Picasso you.

If you’re looking for a new, unconventional way to enjoy your eight-inches, look no further than Hiro. And yes, that’s what she said.

 

Courtney’s pick – SweetBerries Eatery and Frozen Custard

With a quiet, relaxing vibe, SweetBerries is the perfect place to have a serene lunch outside and enjoy a handcrafted sandwich. I dove into my first Sweetberries sandwich experience with an open mind, I tried both the “New York Ruben” and the “Mushroom Melt.” While the “New York Ruben” wasn’t exactly fresh off the streets of NYC, it was delicious and a great option if you just need to grab a quick bite. The ingredients were fresh and the warm; the toasty bread was exactly what I needed. However, my heart lies with the “Mushroom Melt.” I’m a true sucker for mushrooms and not just the magic kind. The sautéed mushrooms combined with a thin piece of cheese and a not overly toasted tomato created a perfect vegetarian meal. Vegetarian sandwiches without tempeh or tofu or anything protein related are hard to find if you’re not getting a pub sub (Gytis will cover this). While it didn’t make me feel healthy (the bread was toasted with buttery perfection), it did make me satisfied without the ‘I need to roll my way back home’ feel. Make sure you leave room for their delicious custard.

 

Gyt’s pick - Pub Subs

Ricky Bobby once said, “If you don’t eat Publix subs, then fuck you.”

Not really. But seriously, if you’re not eating Pub Subs on the reg, please reconsider your entire life.

Going to Publix is enough of a treat on its own (they live up to “Where Shopping Is a Pleasure” to the nth degree), but their sandwiches are on another level. They’ve got the freshest breads, the dopest deli meats and the realest veggies. Subway may throw you a sliver of sketchy meat and a slice or two of cheese, but Pub Subs hold it down with mountains of Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, or Publix brand, which is better than anything you’d get anywhere else anyway.

Oh, ham, roast beef, turkey, etc ain’t your style? Then turn up with everybody’s personal favorite, the legendary chicken tender sub.
You’ve never had Publix chicken tenders?
I’m kidding, everybody who knows what’s up has had Publix chicken tenders. Put those luscious fried beauties on your choice of white, whole grain and whole wheat and get your grub on. Trying to get spicy? Get those tenders delicately dipped in the depths of the dankest of buffalo sauces. Real talk, do it.

Don’t even get me started on the selection of teas (Pomegranate & Orange, get at me).

Sure, there are plenty of places to snag a sammich in Gainesville, locally owned, wonderful places, but how many of them can you pick up all the rest of your grocery needs at? None.

Be smart. A Publix sub is always a good decision.

 

Debora’s pick – Harvest Thyme

Post-gameday Sunday depression hit me like a ton of bricks and I was almost positive nothing in the world could make me feel better. I was in a feeble state, both physically and mentally. My stomach was growling as loudly as a foghorn and I could no longer neglect it — I got myself into my car and over to Harvest Thyme’s new location at 4780 NW 39th Ave (open later than its downtown counterpart). I opened the door and the restaurant’s quaint, Buddhist-inspired art was as inviting as its incredibly friendly employees and the aroma of fresh bread.

Admittedly, this was not my first Harvest Thyme experience, but everything before their smoked apple bacon turkey melt sandwich, off the “Our Favorites” section of their menu, just doesn’t count. The first bite caused my life to take a 180 degree turn. Toasted to literal perfection, this sandwich delivers exactly what is promised: deliciously fresh roasted turkey, smoked apple bacon that gives both texture and a hint of sweetness, ooey gooey melted cheddar, and lettuce and sprouts for a crunch.

Every little piece of this sandwich was flawless, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t be completely fulfilled without trying their soup of the day. Of the two available, I chose the garlic lentil. I can’t think of many things I love more than garlic and lentils; but, unfortunately, this soup was sort of a letdown due to the fact that it was a bit on the salty side.

Ultimately, my meal at Harvest Thyme was satisfying, pleasant, and just all-around yummy as hell. The very reasonable prices were an additional plus. I would absolutely recommend this fine establishment; it totally turned things around on a very, very gloomy day.

 

Photo courtesy of: HoodedUtilitarian