Dining
By Nanette Wiser
The Earl of SANDWICH
In spring, I swoon over outdoor dining and picnics. In Paradise, you can grab a sandwich and eat on the beach, on the boat or on your patio. In the U.S. we consume 300 million sandwiches daily and in 2021, we’re looking to save time, money and discover new sandwiches customized to our whims. Grab & Go is today’s hot trend.
What’s between the bread or the wrap?
Global-inspired sandwiches (beyond the banh’ mi, burrito, calzone and gyros), mayo mixes (with spicy mustard, garlic or siracha) and handcrafted ketchups, vegan medleys, gourmet meats and cheeses (best melted), artisan relishes, bacon/ranch, southwestern/zesty Baja sauces, pulled pork and barbecue flavors are trending.
With the pandemic, eating al fresco seems sensible so we are devoting this restaurant story to the best sandwiches from downtown St. Pete to the beaches. Best served with a pickle and housemade chips, please. Our cover is devoted to St. Pete Beach’s Fo’Cheezy Twisted Melt, the ultimate melted sammie decadence and out-of-this-world hand-spun shakes.
Best Cuban Sandwiches: Our top three faves are Bodega on Central (DTSP), Pipo’s and Havana Harry’s on this side of the bridge. Alesia Restaurant: Excellent banh mi, a Parisian hot dog with caramelized onions, gruyère and mornay sauce served on French baguette and a traditional Croque Monsieur (jambon, gruyère, portobello mushroom, mornay sauce) and a savory chicken salad. St. Petersburg
Big Jim’s Steakhouse: Known for their Philly Cheesesteak and oversized portions and generous sides, you can’t go wrong with the Beef on Weck, the Corned Beef/Pastrami special with Thousand Island or the Beef Brisket sandwich. Largo/Seminole Blvd.
City’s Bistro: Order here for a meeting or party. We can’t get enough of the assorted platter of blackened chicken & cheddar, chicken Caesar, cheddar & avocado, grilled chicken & bacon, hummus & red pepper pesto, honey ham & Swiss, and turkey & avocado halved wraps. DTSP
Chill Restaurant & Bar: In addition to a fab brunch and live music, handheld delights include a chicken sandwich topped with bacon and Swiss, grouper with a side of remoulade or the blackened chicken avocado wrap. St. Pete Beach
Datz St. Pete: Bacon, wacky cocktails/mocktails, awesome sides and eclectic handhelds such as Death Wish (spicy buffalo tenders, tobacco onions, Sriracha® drizzle, blue cheese), Memphis on My Mind (pulled pork, power slaw, BBQ sauce, tobacco onions, white cheddar and April in Paris vegetarian (melted brie, tomato, arugula, basil pesto). DTSP
Foxy’s: My go-to for comfort sandwiches, especially the chicken tender/bacon/avocado, portabella mushroom (American, Swiss, garlic mayo), hot roast beef with curly fries, avocado shrimp club and Sloppy Joe. Treasure Island
Jo-El’s Delicatessan & Marketplace: Oy, yay for the deli sammies from chopped liver to tuna and tongue, smoked turkey breast with a knish on the side. St. Petersburg
Joey Brooklyn’s Famous Pizza Kitchen: Chow down on chicken parm, Italian sausage, meatball, traditional Italian grinder and chicken Caesar sandwiches Big Apple Style. DTSP
Lonny’s Sandwiches: The “Famous Sunny Bird” is an inspired creation of cream cheese, turkey, sunflower seeds, sprouts and homemade honey French dressing on wild rice bread, and we love the tropical chicken salad with mango, pineapple walnuts and celery. DTSP
Odi’s Mediterranean Kitchen: Yell opa for the veggie pitas (roasted eggplant, hummus, peppers; grilled veggies), chicken souvlaki or gyro on a pita, super subs (Greek roast beef with feta, chicken salad) and falafel wraps. St. Pete Beach
O’Maddy’s: Rock out with live music, bay view and creative concoctions including the lobster BLT, shrimp wrap, Big John rare roast beef with cole slaw and beer cheese sauce and a delicious mahi Reuben on marble rye. Gulfport
Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria: Adorable décor, housemade teas and incredible desserts, but the stars of the show are the eclectic sandwiches. We love the lemon zesty tuna melt, Spicy Elvis (banana, bacon, strawberry jelly, cayenne peanut butter) Thanksgiving turkey and gouda sandwich (ginger cranberry chutney, cream cheese, mashed potatos) and the Danny (brie, almonds, apples, red onions and cranberry chutney). DTSP
Quaker Steak N Lube: BBQ O-Ring Cheese steak is made with thinly shaved sirloin sautéed with smoky barbecue sauce, breaded onion rings and cheddar-jack cheese. Pinellas Park
Salty’s Sandwich Bar: Boar’s Head meats make the Monte Cristo served with a mango chutney, the fried bologna sandwich, turkey or pastrami Reuben and tuna melt on marble rye. Gulfport Visit Salty’s online at https://www.restaurantji.com/fl/gulfport/saltys-sandwich-bar-/.
Shrimpy’s Blues Bistro: Cajun and seafood menu features delish po’ boys, Bourbon Street fried cod, blackened corvina, pressed American (bacon, sweet ham, Swiss cheese) and even Mexican fare. Order hush puppies, y’hear? St. Pete Beach
The Wharf Seafood Restaurant: From the corned beef Reuben on marble rye and secret sauce to the po-boys (shrimp/oyster, grouper, blackened chicken), soft-shell crab sandwich and Maine lobster roll, this is a locals’ fave. Pass-A-Grille
Two Dads: Chef Wade Parrish’s new take-out restaurant serves up his signature style I loved at O’Maddy’s with a Shrimp and Crab Roll served with Old Bay potato straws and a Roasted Beef Strip Loin Sammich served one of four ways: Horseradish cream/ salt & pepper; Philly style w/ cooked onions/ cheese sauce/ Giardiniera; Boursin/ arugula/ pickled red onion or open face with brown gravy/crispy onion. Gulfport
