Cheap Eats: The 10 Best Sandwiches
The sandwich: It's either a super-quick option when on the go or the perfect meal, depending on your dining persuasion. We believe it's the latter. Here are 10 local standouts as mouthwatering as any entree on the menu.
The Old Mohawk's Mother Mohawk
Manager Chris Pack admits the combination of homemade chicken salad and sliced roast beef seems odd. But the sandwich ($8.75) has been a best-seller since its 1977 debut when, Pack says, "some guys were messing around with new sandwiches … and drinking." On the side: potato chips 819 Mohawk St., German Village, 614-444-7204, theoldmohawk.com
Skillet's Picnic Chicken
Most of Skillet's sandwiches start at $12, but chef Kevin Caskey regularly works his Picnic Chicken ($10) into the daily menu. Ohio chicken breast is fried and tossed in a tangy house-made tahini and served cold on Dan the Baker bread. On the side: daily tasting salad 410 E. Whittier St., Merion Village, 614-443-2266, skilletruf.com
Si Senor's Chicharron Peruano
Si Senor's staple sandwich ($6.50) is all about balance: Warm ciabatta is brushed with sweet-potato mayo, piled with fried pork shoulder and topped with crunchy pickled red onions. On the side: Tres Leches cake 72 E. Lynn St., Downtown, 614-227-0070, sisenorlatinfusion.com
Katzinger's Bella MushReuben
Katzinger's has pleased meat-lovers for 30 years, but as tastes changed, so did the menu: Enter the MushReuben ($9.75), a vegetarian take on the classic made with portabellas. On the side: redskin potato salad 475 S. 3rd St., German Village, 614-228-3354, katzingers.com
Tom and Chee's Grilled Mac & Cheese
Though the indulgent sandwich ($5.95) is served on white bread with a pile of macaroni and melted cheddar, owner Ron Freeman recommends trying the sandwich on rye with bacon and mushrooms. On the side: grilled doughnuts 10709 Blacklick-Eastern Rd., Pickerington, 614-694-4868; 1844 Hilliard-Rome Rd., Hilliard, 614-710-1176, tomandchee.com
Block's Tuna Melt
This legendary East Side spot's tuna melt ($5.25) features two generous heaps of house-made tuna and melted cheddar sandwiched in a water-boiled bagel of your choice. Go for the flavorful Everything, coated in half a dozen seasonings. On the side: potato latkes 3415 E. Broad St., East Side, 614-235-2551, blocksbagelsdeli.com
Katalina's Puebla BLT
The highlight of Katalina's BLT ($9.25) is the heat that comes from their sweet-and-spicy bacon, paired with Amish cheddar, aioli and house-made mole. On the side: Shagbark Seed & Mill tortilla chips 1105 Pennsylvania Ave., Victorian Village, 614-294-2233, katalinascafe.com
Mi Li's Banh Mi
Made with an airy baguette, mayo, pate, cucumbers, carrots, jalapenos, cilantro and pork or just veggies, Mi Li's banh mi ($3.50) is simplicity incarnate. On the side: Honeydew bubble smoothie 5858 Emporium Sq., North East Side, 614-899-9202, milicafe.com
Ajumama's Bulgogi Cheezesteak
Inside her food truck, chef Laura Lee fills a warm hoagie with bulgogi beef smothered in homemade kimchi and cheese sauce for her Korean take on the Philly cheesesteak ($8). On the side: Dduk'n'Cheese ajumama.com
Easy Street Cafe's Greek Chicken
Cafe owner George Stefanidis marinates his chicken in olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper for two days before it's served with melted feta, red onions, lettuce, tomato and homemade tzaziki sauce on garlic-butter-grilled bread. ($7.99) On the side: Greek fries 197 Thurman Ave., 614-444-3279, theeasystreetcafe.com