Atlanta’s Best Sandwich?
July 20, 2009 | 10:16 amI can’t say that I’ve “eaten my way around Atlanta”. Heck, I can’t even say that I’ve “eaten my way around Decatur”, what with my penchant for frugality and my fine-I’ll-do-it-myself desire to bake my own bread. But I do eat my fair share of sandwiches.
And with that pointless background, I give you the backstory. This weekend, for the first time in a few months, my wife and I journeyed to Alon’s (Morningside, not Perimeter) for a sandwich and a fashionable, carbonated beverage (btw, they sell Coke made with sugar there!). And while I’ve always enjoyed Alon’s sandwiches, this particular one was noticeably lacking. The roast beef was minimal, fatty, and as rare as a budget deficit.
Having lived within walking distance of this Alon’s for an entire year prior to my Decatur indoctrination, I know they can do better. But this latest disappointing effort got me comparing this Alon’s sandwich to the many consistently excellent Sawicki’s sandwiches I’ve enjoyed recently; the roast beef, the shrimp po-boy, the turkey with avocado.
And I wondered, where can one purchase the best sandwich in Atlanta?
An elusive question no doubt. Eliminating every place that doesn’t use freshly baked bread is probably a good start. Within Decatur, I’ve eaten my personal favorites at Sawicki’s and Duck’s. But how do these two places stack-up to the rest of Atlanta?
You know, Reuben’s on Broad Street is pretty damn good.
After eating 2,000 Sawicki’s creamy frosted cupcakes, I finally got sandwiches and potato salad for dinner the other night. My roast beast was delicious with all sorts of palate teasing surprises.
But the two places are apples and oranges. Reuben’s more traditional deli-style while Sawicki’s is more of an upscale deli.
They’re not cheap but the goods at Star Provisions (Howell Mill and 14th on the west side) really can’t be beat. I had a traditional Banh Mi sandwich there a month and a half ago and I’ve thought about it every day since. Mmmm.
(p.s. my blog name may say “Atlanta” but I’m a Decatur blog!)
Henri’s Bakery in Buckhead offers the best poboys in town, IMO.
Also, Havana Sandwich shop is rumored to be opening a new location in the Crossroads Village shopping center at Clairmont & Buford Hwy. Best Cuban sandwich on the planet (or at least in the City).
I find Watershed’s tuna sandwich to be awfully tasty and have never been let down by the Sandwich A Go Go offered by Pastries A Go Go (you choose the bread, meat, cheese & condiments…all offerings are good).
Havana will open this summer same location same food call for more info 404-636-4094 Best Cuban sandwich in Atlanta….havanarestaurant@bellsouth.net
The Cuban at the Kool Korner Grocery over by Georgia Tech will blow your head clean off.
I can’t believe the Kool Korner is still there. It’s been there since Atlanta was Marthasville.
Kool Korner grocery has been closed since October.
Winnona Park Stud enjoys Sawicki’s cuban. The roasted pork is better than Kool Korner’s or Havana’s.
Dang. That kills my yearly pilgrimage. S’pose I’ll give Sawicki’s a try, even though their store is nicely appointed and no one yells at you.
Tell me when you are going to be there. I will send my two year old in to reappoint the room and make sure I am there to yell at you.
They reopened; they’re in Birmingham, Alabama now. A few friends and I are considering making a pilgrimage out there just to have them.
I respectfully disagree. You can’t really get better than a Cuban sandwich made by actual Cubans.
You beat me to it, JB– I was just thinking that!
Kool Korner closed last year and moved to BHM.
Where did Kool Korners re-open? I drove by the old spot today and had to shed a tear…
The catfish reuben at South City Kitchen Midtown is totally addictive.
Sawicki’s Genoa and Hot Soppresata might be the best sandwich in town…
and Lee’s Bakery (Buford at Clairmont) has an amazing Banh Mi…
Calloway, if you’re looking for a good bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich), you must try Quoc Huong, in Asian Square. It’s much better than Lee’s…
But Lee’s bánh mì is only $2.
Quoc Huong’s bánh mì is $2.25 or $2.50, but they have a buy 5, get 1 free special. You’re thinking, who needs 6 sandwiches? I reheat them in my toaster oven, and they’re quite good. (Disclaimer: I don’t work for them, nor am I related in any way. Just really like their sandwiches for a quick fix!)
i second star provisions, though the sandwiches (especially the bahn mi) are *really* pricey. star’s falafel is almost as good as ali baba on broad street, but the other condiments (pickled radish!) on the wrap give star provisions the edge on the falafel sandwich.
This whole topic of conversation makes me miss Fifth Earl!! I loved their sandwiches, and I especially liked being able to get them to-go and take on a picnic or hike. Any word on when / if they will be back in business?
I haven’t heard anything Rebecca, but with all the talk about the Trackside rebuild, I’ve heard nothing about 5th Earl.
I’ve sent an email to one of the owners. Hopefully they still check their “5th Earl” email.
Here’s an update from a July 1 post on another message board:
We are trying to rebuild unfortunately it has been one headache after another. We are hoping they will get construction going soon. We are still waiting on plans to be finalized for the rebuild and plans still have to be submitted to the city for approval.
However, we are doing well, doing lots of research and planning for the future. David and I just returned from Spain. We literally ate our way through San Sebastian and Madrid. I am going through pictures this morning and will try and have a link up sometime soon. Thanks for thinking about us and we hope to serve you soon.
Brian
Owner 5th Earl Market
Your a stud Winnona Park Stud! Thanks for the update.
Indeed. Winnona Park Stud’s updates on the 5th Earl are much appreciated!
As soon as I saw “Atlanta’s Best Sandwich”, a vision of Alon’s Tunisian Spicy Tuna Sandwich popped in my head. I’ve tried to recreate it at home, but it’s not the same. Yum.
Sad to hear about Kool Korners. i’ve often thought a cuban sandwich place in Decatur would be an instant hit.
Several months ago I had lunch at The Porter (L5P.) The Shrimp BLT was amazing and unexpected. Lemon marinated shrimp was dynamite next to the bacon. Expensive except that it came with fries and I shared it–plenty of food for two.
The Chicken salad with truffle oil is my recurring favorite at Watershed.
at last, food recommendation from reliable sources. i’ve been keen on:
havana (RIP – i hope it is resurrected)
star provisions (brilliant but can be a bit dainty)
new york deli and marketplace (no daintiness. huge and delicious)
Hehehehe. Brad Steel said huge and delicious.
LOL!!! OMG, Nellie– I was swallowing a drink of water when I read this, and almost choked to death! You gotta give a sistah some warnin’ before you go all “double entendreing” on us! (Yes, I just made up a word. I couldn’t think of a proper verb/gerund form of “double entendre” to use that would’ve fit.)
for the trifecta (a.k.a. triple entendre), they are also frequently ….. succulent.
No one mentions LEON’S? That’s rare.
Someone already mentioned it, but Fifth Earl’s Trenchtown Turkey is/was/will be/will continue to be the best sandwich in Decat- er, Atlanta.
I’ve also heard good things about Corner Pub’s catfish sandwich.
Dude…right on…I used to not even have to place an order. I would walk in and one of the guys would just yell, “TRENCHTOWN EXTRA SAUCE!”
I love the Peruvian sandwiches at “Las Brasas” in Decatur Village (by to the rail tracks)
Rotisserie chicken with salad and avocado and mayonnaise… Yum!!
Ohhhh, yeah, Gigi– those are indeed awesomely delish!
I also am partial to the Peruvian sandwiches at “Las Brasas” in Decatur Village (by to the rail tracks). I had no idea that was called Decatur Village. Interesting.
Dang, DM– you should’ve let the folks at Alon’s know your sandwich wasn’t spot on, b/c they’d have cheerfully put it right for you (I know this from personal experience)! Hmmmm…best sandwich in Atlanta metro, eh? For me, it’s a tie between Alon’s roasted portabello on focaccia, or their Asian barbecued salmon on focaccia (the latter will make your eyes roll back in your head, it’s so good).
OK, so of all the sandwiches listed here I think I’ve probably had about two of them. So much for my bragging about having eaten a lot of sandwiches…it seems that applies only to quantity and not variety.
cuba, you’re right. I probably should have said something. I guess I was too enamored by my Mexican Coke to complain.
Yeah, if something in your order is really good, then it can be kind of anticlimactic to complain about something else that isn’t. I’ve learned to get over that reluctance, though– especially when I’m shelling out a pretty buck for it!
Dave’s Cosmic Subs in Emory Village has the best sandwiches (and subs). While they do have many subs to pick from, the ruben is close to the best corned beef in Atlanta. In fact, he gets his rye bread from Alon’s bakery. The owner, Joel (not Dave), gets his corned beef from a New York butcher. How could you make it better even if you tried?
I was inspired by this thread to try Dave’s today. Very good Italian sub.
Soul Vegetarian has some excellent sandwiches.
Good to hear Soul Vegetarian is still around, I used to love that place, I am due for a visit, it has been about ten years since I last went. That said, I also remember to schedule more than an hour because it always a meal there takes more time. Takes time to put in those good vibes!
The fried green tomato BLT at Parish is amazing. Definitely deserves to be on your radar.
39 hits so far on this post with several orgasmic responses.
More responses on this post than I’ve seen in a while.
My cousin in Seattle wrote a college paper once for an assignment (that received a good grade). The basic premise was that the powers that be will be able to do anything to us as long as they keep us fed.
Interesting concept.
Maybe not too far reaching.
I’ll take the pastrami.
I voted for Obama because the Bush administration deprived me of my falafel and other moral nourishments.
My mom’s grilled cheese…..
with a little bowl of tomato soup and a glass of milk.
….. and maybe a handful of saltines.
I have to agree with the first poster – Reuben’s downtown is pretty darn good. For a close second, I’d suggest the Elliott Street Pub in Castleberry.
I forgot about Elliott Street Pub…it’s a nice, out of the way spot. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a good sandwich before an event at Philips Arena.