In the cannabis industry time is scarce. We’re constantly moving from one task to another, exploring ways to build despite restrictions, constantly utilizing and employing every creative growth strategy we can think of, while the 24 hours we’re given just seem to get shorter each passing day. With so many moving parts, we often find ourselves in need of a “grab-and-go” meal, so it’s no surprise that sandwiches are a staple in the average cannabis employee’s food pyramid. Moreover, the sandwich is a quintessential participant in any “top 10 munchie foods” lineup. This list is by no means an exhaustive exploration into the existence of the sandwiches of Seattle, but this is where you can find our favorites.
Mean Sandwich – Ballard, Seattle, WA
Mean Sandwich, the newest member of the sandwich community, opened in 2016 to critical acclaim. They’ve since been featured in Bon Apetit, The Seattle Times, Seattle Magazine, Seattle Weekly and several local blogs. Self-described as a “mom and pop” shop, Alex and Kevin Pemoulie opened Mean after moving back from New York, where they met and both worked under David Chang of the legendary Momofuku. Although they both come from the world of fine dining and tasting menus, they decided to scale back in this endeavor. There are just seven sandwiches on the menu (one that rotates), potato skins and bread pudding – their namesake signature Mean Sandwich is by far the crowd favorite. With more corned beef than you’ve ever seen on one sandwich, it’s the daring flirtation with maple and mint that make this pile of mouthwatering meat, between bread, truly remarkable. They’re located just off the bridge, and around the corner from our Ballard store, so make sure to check them out next time you visit us.
Other Coast – Queen Anne, Ballard and Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
The Ragin Cajun, The Other Coat’s spicy and well-seasoned turkey sandwich with melted pepper jack cheese, salsa mayo, served warm and topped with tomatoes and onion, is perhaps the only sandwich in Seattle that is universally known by name. The original location is near our flagship store, on Ballard Avenue, tucked among the maritime businesses and emerging craft cocktail bars. Their number two and three locations in Queen Anne and Capitol Hill quickly became neighborhood favorites in their respective locales immediately after opening. Grab chips and their baby red potatoe salad to compliment any of their best sellers, or create your own custom sandwich on the spot; either way, you’re in for a treat.
Salumi – Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA
Salumi is the smallest storefront on our list, with the longest history. Armandino Batali opened Salumi in 1999, just one block away from where his Grandfather, Angelo Merlino, opened Seattle’s first Italian food import store in 1903. Their sandwiches are mostly made to order and every salami and cured meat variety is full of flavor, crafted by the Batali family themselves. Decades of family tradition have been cured into these mouthwatering meats and specialties, most notably Leonetta’s Meatball sandwich, a recipe that has been passed down through generations of Batali women. Although their sandwiches are other-worldly, it’s the demand for quality cured meat that keeps them going. Salumi has come to be known as a culinary hub for foodies throughout the Pacific Northwest and they now ship throughout the United States and beyond. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Italy, head down to Pioneer Square and you’ll surely find it on the corner of 3rd and Main.
Tat’s East Coast Delicatessen – Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA
Tat’s East Coast Delicatessen opened in the Spring of 2004. The owners, Brian Tat and Jason Simodejka are both originally from the East Coast and moved to Seattle in 1996. It wasn’t long before they realized that what Seattle made up for in its plethora of pub and restaurant fare, it was seriously lacking in a traditional deli-experience. Moreover, cheesesteaks are particularly rare to come by in Seattle, so it’s no surprise the Tat’s ordering station comes with a clear set of succinct ordering directions, an element that is in itself very East Coast. The sandwiches come fast, the twists on slaw and potato salad are not what you’ll typically find in the Northwest and the sandwiches are huge – the smallest being 8” and loaded with toppings. Literally, everything is good here, but if you really want to have your mind blown in a way you never thought you could – order the Tat’strami and thank us later.
Honey Hole – Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
Honey Hole is the most restaurant-style selection on our list. This Capitol Hill watering hole has a great selection of local beers, ciders, wine, and great cocktails. Nearly the entire menu is locally sourced, all the meats are smoked and roasted in-house, the sauces are secret recipes made from scratch, and they even adapted to have several vegan and gluten-free options. Honey Hole has been serving their delicious sandwiches since 1999 and has done little over the years to change their approach. The same thrift store art has decorated the walls and enthralled patrons since opening – talked about almost as much as their iconic sandwiches, such as The Dude, Fast Eddie, and The Gooch. They can get really busy around dinner, so we recommend a late night visit. They’re open til 12:00 am every night of the week, so it’s the perfect location to refuel on any weekend bar-hop, and the ideal spot for a work pow-wow during an early happy hour.
Tub’s Gourmet Subs – Lynwood, WA and Lake City, Seattle, WA
Founded in 1983 in Lake City, Tub’s set out to create a one-of-a-kind sandwich menu, using local, fresh, products, long before competitors of the time were even considering using organic ingredients. They have survived 35 years in a strip mall, on one of the busiest thoroughfares in Washington and have thus solidified themselves as a cornerstone of the Lake City area, and generally in the North End. With several schools within walking distance and a plethora of fields and sports compounds within a 10-minute drive, we’d suggest avoiding it on the weekends during lunch hours, because it will surely be flooded with families refueling from the morning’s soccer matches. Their insane combinations of toppings, like the Phoenix featuring a raspberry-chipotle sauce, cream cheese, garlic mayo, turkey, bacon and more, is truly a marvel, and while bacon is offered on just about everything, their award-winning black beanie patty can be used as a substitute for any sandwich. Tub’s is a win for meat lovers and the meat-free.
Un Bien – Ballard, Seattle, WA
The story of Un Bien is a fabled one among locals. In 1994 Lorenzo Lorenzo opens Paseo in the Fremont neighborhood. 14 years later he acquires a landmark fast food location at was once the Ballard classic, Gordo’s Burgers. The Shilshole Avenue location, in route to Seattle’s most popular sandy beach, Golden Gardens, cements their famous carmelized onions and aioli into the minds of Seattleites forever. Fast forward to 2014 when (stunningly) Lorenzo files bankruptcy and is forced to sell the namesake and both locations for a whopping $91,000, without the recipes. The new Paseo owner closes for a brief period, keeps the name, tried his best to recreate the recipes, but much to every local’s chagrin could never quite match the taste of “Old Paseo”. But this Cinderella story isn’t over just yet; in 2015 Lorenzo’s sons, Julien and Lucas take over the old Shilshole Avenue location’s lease, acquire an additional Ballard location on 15th Ave NW, and open Un Bien, featuring all of their Father’s recipes that skyrocketed their Caribbean sandwiches to glory. The original, classic recipes, like the Carribean Roast are all there, with new, welcome additions like fire roasted corn and a slew of new entrée options. So, if someone ever approaches you looking for the “Old Paseo”, now you know where to send them.