I 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?

Here’s a round up of recent offers, events, and specials that I’ve gathered up recently…

• The latest’s Sawicki’s newsletter announces that Lyn is now carrying local Johnson Family Farms whole milk for only $3.65 a half-gallon. (From my own observations, that’s cheaper than organic from the grocery store) and selling eggs from her own backyard chickens for 40 cents each.  Also Sawicki’s is doing a poll on perishables over at its website.  Head over and give a little quick feedback.
• Tastings will host an Inauguration Party next Tuesday from 6p-whenever.  There will be Inauguration-themed trivia, beer specials, buckets of beer, 1/2 off Pilsner Urquell, food specials, ½ off sandwiches, ½ off house wines and themed cocktail.
• Decatur EdTV is now offering a new monthly newsletter (pdf) to help residents stay up to date with the charter school process.  Andrea says hardcopies might also soon be available around town.
• Whit’s End is in the midst of a Winter Clearance Sale.
• Poetry Atlanta comes back to Wordsmiths’ stage this Saturday at 2pm.

Business owners – if you have any other upcoming events/sales/new offerings, send them along and I’ll add ‘em to the list.

Perhaps some of you have seen the odd note on the Oakhurst Message Board portending the demise of Calavino’s, Sawicki’s and Le Petit Marche.

While we’re all well aware of issues at Calavino’s, the items about Sawicki’s and Le Petit were new to me. Plus the format was just a bit too vague and random for my taste. Plus I didn’t think Sawicki’s was doing that poorly, so I didn’t bite.

But it looks like Creative Loafing did.

However, Lynn Sawicki was quick to respond, confirming my suspicion that it was pure rumor…

I’d like to know who started that rumor!!!
I’m not going under, but like other businesses, am feeling the crunch.
The times are tough, but I will stick by my vision for the store- providing the city of Decatur with fresh, chemical free meats and seafoods as well as organic produce etc.
The community has to commit to supporting us little guys if this is to work for me- of course business is down- only McDonalds is showing a profit!!!
I believe the community wants this type of establishment, but they do have to step up and keep their values and morals through this crunch and come out to support all of Decatur- or the city WILL turn into a wasteland….

So I’m doing my part to debunk this particular rumor.

Glad to hear Sawicki’s isn’t on the verge. I enjoy it way too much.

All that said…(wait for it)….keep buying local!

Click the smaller image below to view 5th Earl’s Thanksgiving Day Menu chock full of great starters, sides, “accompaniments” and desserts.

Lots of delicious complements to go with your Ashley Farms Turkey (which can be ordered from Sawickis!).