Coffee, Cocktails, Poké, Pork and Tiki
May 08, 2023
It’s a universal truth that anytime is sandwich time. But as the heat of this fiery summer
gratefully softens into fall, we submit that these are the best days for grabbing a sandwich and
having a seat on a bench in Gallivan Plaza, Pioneer Park or your favorite urban oasis for a little
midday nosh away from your computer. Following are a baker’s dozen of scrumptious
downtown sammies sure to satisfy your most intense meat-and/or-veggies-between-two-slices-
of-bread cravings.
You really can go wrong with any sandwiches at Bocata (28 S. State Street, inside the City Creek
Center food court). Like its sister restaurant, Settebello Pizzeria Nepoletana, everything is made
by hand with high quality, fresh ingredients. If we had to pick just one Bocata sandwich,
however, it would be the BLT, made with applewood-smoked bacon, arugula, fresh tomatoes
and then topped with a perfectly jammy, fried organic egg.
At Caputo’s Market & Deli (314 W. Broadway)—a bona fide Salt Lake City institution—the king
of the sandwich menu is The Caputo, a toothsome combo of prosciutto, mortadella, salami,
provolone, lettuce, tomato and imported olive oil and balsamic vinegar, layered on fresh
Tuscan baguette from Stoneground Bakery.
With autumn’s brisk days just around the corner we’re regularly daydreaming about Eva’s
Bakery’s (155 S. Main) heavenly grilled cheese sandwich: Gruyere and bechamel sauce placed
between two slices of fresh, housemade country bread which is then grilled panini-style to
perfection and served with a creamy tomato basil soup. In other words, comfort on a plate.
The mustardy, oh-so-tender braised brisket sandwich at From Scratch (62 E. Gallivan Avenue)
is a meat-eater’s delight. Its slow-braised brisket, aged cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce,
pickled shallots and homemade sourdough are brought together in a delectable symphony with
a healthy slathering of perfectly balanced mustard aioli.
For a tasty riff on a classic French dip, head up to the rooftop patio at Gracie’s (326 S. West
Temple) for the turkey dip, a toasted baguette layered with house-roasted turkey and red
peppers, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and chipotle mayo. Served, of course, with a side of
flavor-packed chipotle au jus.
There’s not much that pairs as well with a cold draft beer than Green Pig Pub’s (31 E. 400
South) Pig-A-Delphia cheesesteak sandwich: thinly sliced top round and sauteed Anaheim
Peppers and onions are piled high on a toasted ambassador roll and then covered with
Monterey Jack cheese. A trip under the broiler right before delivery to your table gives this
sandwich its ooey-gooey appeal—along with the side of jalapeno ranch for dipping.
When you’re craving a sammie, but are trying to cut down on carbs, the Mediterranean Doner
wrap at Spitz (35 Broadway) is an alternative that doesn’t feel like one. Tucked within a thin,
lavash-style wrap is hummus, kalamata olives, feta, Romaine lettuce, cabbage, tomato, onion,
green pepper and cucumber—all drizzled with Spitz’s zesty tzatziki sauce. (Be sure to ask for
extra for dipping.) Spitz’s Mediterranean Doner wrap is fabo as is, or add beef and lamb,
chicken, mixed meat or falafel for an extra-hearty nosh.
Warning: you may need a spare shirt after tucking into a fried chicken sandwich from Pretty
Bird (146 Regent Street). This amazing slider hits all of the most satisfying flavor and texture
notes: a crispy-on-the-outside, moist on the inside fried chicken breast is piled with crunchy,
slightly sweet cider slaw; vinegary pickles; and the creamy, lemony-bright Pretty Bird sauce. All
served on a pillowy roll from Eva’s Bakery.
Pretty Bird ain’t the only fried chicken sandwich show in this town, however. Ginger Street’s
(324 S. State Street), spicy crispy chicken sandwich is an Asian-Americana celebration served
on a brioche bun, made with green papaya slaw, tomato, jalapeno and custardy kewpie mayo.
Stop in to Ginger Street to get one for lunch on Wednesdays, when it’s on special for just $5.
The fresh fish sandwich at Red Rock Brewery (254 S. 200 West) changes weekly and is a
consistent hit. A recent iteration featured grilled salmon slathered with coconut-curry mayo
and stacked with peppery arugula, vine-ripened tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers and caramelized
onions, served within a pita pocket.
Celebrating 50 years in business downtown this year—and celebrated for its authentic German
fare—is Siegfried’s Deli (20 W. 200 South). There, second in popularity only to the wiener
schnitzel, is Siegfried’s Rueben, made with house-made corned beef and sauerkraut, pickles,
mayo, mustard and Swiss cheese, all served on made-fresh-daily rye bread (with caraway seeds
or without).
A second downtown Reuben worth sampling is Squatter’s (147 Broadway) Pub Rueben, made
with Niman ranch peppered pastrami, house-brined sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and a generous
slather of Cajun remoulade on a fresh marbled rye. The perfect accompaniment to a pint of
Squatter’s Juicy IPA.
The sandwich that put the center of downtown Salt Lake City’s sandwichdom—The Robin’s
Nest (311 S. Main St)—on the map is the Rooster Call: classic chicken salad with cashews and
red grapes served on a ciabatta bun smeared with honey Dijon mustard. Yummo!
