Category Archives: Sandwiches

Doc B’s

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docbtuna

***** (5 stars)

I absolutely loved the chill atmosphere of this place, with its upbeat soundtrack that’s not too loud, and its modern ambience. On nice days the front opens out onto the sidewalk, but my favorite spot is at the full service bar, where the servers are as knowledgeable about the menu as the drinks.

And what a menu! I started with the grilled artichokes, which were charred around the edges and tender and meaty in the center. The bitterness of the char worked perfectly with the remoulade (which was really more like an aioli).

At the bartender’s recommendation I had her favorite, a tuna sandwich. Okay, now erase the image that just formed in your head, as this was nothing like any tuna sandwich you’ve ever had. Tender, rare circles of ahi tuna decorated a sesame bun, and slices of crisp apple added a delightful crunch to every bite. Amazing!

For desert I chose the mint gelato sandwich, which was served between two chocolate chip cookies. It went great with a generous pour of Macallan 12.

A limited wine and beer list contains very thoughtful selections. Although there are only twenty or so wines by the glass, I would have happily have any of them, and I’m not sure I’ve ever said that about a restaurant’s wine by the glass offerings before.

Needless to say, I will back at Doc B’s very soon!

Doc B’s
55 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 999-9300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/doc-bs-chicago-3

Manny’s

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**** (4 stars)

This is an excellent choice for a quick sandwich at Midway. Even if you’re flying out of terminal B, it’s only a short walk down terminal A.

Manny’s is essentially a fully equipped delicatessen, so the sandwich you’ll get here will be far above normal airport quality. Each is prepared to order, so allow few extra minutes, but it’s worth it.

There is more seating available back at the juncture of terminal A with terminal B, a place the visitors to the nearby food court rarely find.

Manny’s
Chicago Midway International Airport
Concorse A, 5700 S Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 948-6300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mannys-chicago-2

Circa 57

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**** (4 stars)

This place is all about the decor, which is fabulous. I’m not sure there were any diners in the 50s that were actually this nice, but it gets each individual element perfect, right down to the two-tone glittery piping on the vinyl booths.

The menu is exactly what you’d expect from a place that serves 50s comfort food, with very little concession to modern nutrition. Everything we tried was good, and probably less greasy than its 50s inspirations.

Service was attentive and friendly. This is an excellent choice for before theater dinner.

Circa 57
101 W Campbell St
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 392-1957
http://www.yelp.com/biz/circa-57-arlington-heights

Fresh Made Kitchen

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**** (4 stars)

What a makeover this place has had since its origins as a Perkins and then short stints as two sports bars. This latest remodeling has opened the place up and lightened it so that it’s hard to believe it’s the same spot. Now it’s light, airy and energetic.

The food has improved, too. You order a broad selection of salads, sandwiches, or entrees at the counter and they bring it to your table. There is a focus on fresh ingredients, and everything is prepared to order.

There is also a large beverage bar in the center of the room, with homemade infused teas and waters. Beer and wine is also available.

Our group had three salads and a chicken noodle bowl, and everyone liked their selections.

Service was very friendly, and management seems to really be on top of things.

This is definitely the best concept for this place so far, and should be quite successful.

Fresh Made Kitchen
8965 Conroy Windermere Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 720-8329
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fresh-made-kitchen-orlando

Village Inn Winter Garden

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***** (5 stars)

Wow. Service with a capital S! I’ve been to fine dining restaurants where I haven’t gotten this level of service.

I was always a fan of the Village Inn when they were in Florida in the 90s, and was sad to see them close most locations, so it’s nice to have them back.

This location had only been open a week when I went, and corporate management was still very hands-on, but it was clear that they were looking for extraordinary service personnel, and they found them. Everyone I encountered was extremely into their job.

The interior of the space is light and modern. I particularly liked the “technology bar” where I sat. I had the same thing I used to always have, a breakfast skillet, and it was prepared just the way I wanted.

Coupled with the attentive and friendly service, it was exactly what I’m looking for in a coffee shop breakfast, and I’ll definitely return.

Village Inn Winter Garden
3130 Daniels Rd
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 654-0736
http://www.yelp.com/biz/village-inn-winter-garden-winter-garden

Panera Bread

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*** (3 stars)

It’s hardly necessary to review a restaurant chain that most people have been to, so I’ll restrict my comments to this particular store, and to the new food item introduced on this visit.

Compared to other Panera’s this location is:

-nicer than most interiors
-a bit more difficult to park near
-has a friendlier staff
-has an annoying habit of paging you before your meal is actually ready.

The new item I tried was the Soba Noodle broth bowl with chicken. The broth had a pleasant Asian-inspired flavor, and there was lots of tender and savory chicken. The noodles were a bit odd, grayish with a square cross section, and finer than true soba noodles. Overall the complexity of the dish did not approach that of the Japanese Ramen bowls it imitates.

If you’re looking for a Panera in Orlando, I’d rate this as the best one in the area.

Panera Bread
4700 S Apopka Vineland Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 217-6916
http://www.yelp.com/biz/panera-bread-orlando-10

Succulent Cafe Wine Charcuterie

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*** (3 stars)

This is more of a counter service sandwich shop (at least at lunch time) than an actual cafe. However they do have wine by the glass or bottle.

The “fish” on my salad was actually a round patty of minced and then fried fish and spices, presumably intended for a fish burger. However it contained about ten times the amount of salt that would have rendered it edible, so this was not successful. My companions’ tuna melt and ham sandwich were better.

The outside seating area is pleasant, and set back far enough from the main highway to create a nice oasis in busy Solvang.

Succulent Cafe Wine Charcuterie
1555 Mission Dr
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 691-9444
http://www.yelp.com/biz/succulent-cafe-wine-charcuterie-solvang

The Plaza Live

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***** (5 stars)

Best live performance venue in Orlando mainly because of decent acoustics in the theaters and reasonable sound levels. The seating isn’t the most comfortable, but when you go to a concert you want to hear it clearly, and this is about the only venue in town that guarantees that.

The Plaza Live
425 N Bumby Ave
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 228-1220
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-plaza-live-orlando

H-Dogs

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***** (5 stars)

Chicago is looking for the successor to Hot Dougs, and not only is H-Dogs a candidate, I think it’s even better, because they make the single best salmon sandwich I have had anywhere! In fact, when I go back, I’ll just skip right past their excellent dogs, and get me another one. It was a perfectly grilled salmon filet with crisp greens, red onions, and a zesty horseradish infused dressing, all on a wheat bun.

I also sampled the Greek, vegetarian and French dogs. The Greek was essentially a gyro, with lamb, tomatoes, onions and a their version of “tzatzki” sauce. The Healthy Hound is a vegetarian dog that’s a bit more in the style of a Chicago dog, but without the pickle, and with roasted peppers. The French was the richest dog I tried, duck sausage smothered in caramelized onions.

All the dogs were good, but I kept going back to that salmon burger!

Everything comes with excellent French fries, served crisp and piping hot. The inclusion of fries makes the pricing of the dogs and burgers much more attractive.

There’s also a rich chili, available in both vegetarian and turkey versions. I got this to go, and it was great reheated later.

H-Dogs is definitely worth the trip south, and it’s pretty convenient to get there on Lake Shore, so I’ll certainly be back… for more salmon burgers!

H-Dogs
4655 S Martin Luther King Dr
Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 633-2978
http://www.yelp.com/biz/h-dogs-chicago

Rollin’ To Go

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**** (4 stars)

This is an excellent sandwich shop, with an almost infinite number of combinations of bread, meats and accompaniments available, all scrawled on a large menu on the wall. Or you can come up with your own favorite. Service is friendly but not incredibly speedy, and it can get quite backed up at lunch, especially on Wednesdays, when the popular deli next door is closed.

Rollin’ To Go
910 Noyes St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 332-1000
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rollin-to-go-evanston-2