The Art of the Sandwich

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

There is a time of day when your stomach starts to growl, you're a little tired of sitting in your windowless cubicle, and something tells you that if you don't get out of here quick you might go crazy. Just about noon, business people everywhere rush out of their buildings on the lunch rush, just looking for a good meal and a low price. But recently in the Bay Area, especially around Palo Alto, finding a good meal at a low price has been quite difficult. Just finding a good sandwich is tough enough, but paying less than $10 for lunch seems like a steal. So if you're in search of a traditional, no-nonsense sandwich that doesn't break the bank, here are some good places to try in the south bay.

Prima Deli — Though out of the way, and in the oddest of all locations in Redwood City, Prima Deli is both cheap and tasty. The service is quick, and the sandwiches are nice and meaty. Prima has a lot of great "on the house" condiments, like pesto sauce, dijon mustard, and pickles, that you may pay extra for at other delis. The average sandwich runs about $6.50, and the chips and drinks are also reasonably priced. What sets Prima Deli apart is the overall tastiness of the sandwich. This isn't the turkey sandwich on dutch crunch that your mother made you when you went to school, it's fresh, tasty, and has a little bit of spice.

American Italian Delicatessen — Like Prima Deli, the Italian Deli in downtown Los Altos is a bit out of the way. This eatery is about one mile north of El Camino on San Antonio Road. The deli caters to high school students and local business people, making lunch time quite a hectic time. Luckily, service is quick and the sandwiches are full of fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. Italian Deli has some of the best bread around. The sourdough roll in particular is a local favorite. It has just the right level of crunch without breaking your jaw, and tastes great with their yellow mustard. Their signature sandwich, the "Godfather," is a must try. Italian Deli also has great sidewalk seating which is perfect on a sunny day. Most sandwiches run about $6.50.

The Ace of Sandwiches — Ace is probably the most accessible deli on the Peninsula. Located between Arastadero and Page Mill in Palo Alto, this small store is home to a huge variety of sandwiches. Three enormous chalk boards state all the different types of sandwiches, from specials like the "Bufficken" to traditional sandwiches like smoked turkey. Ace always has something new to try and also offers tasty paninis. The variety is what keeps many customers coming back. Ace has great service and usually isn't too crowded any time of day. Most sandwiches run about $6.75.

Driftwood Delicatessan — Located very close to Ace, driftwood offers many interesting hot sandwiches that you may not find at Ace. Driftwood strays from the traditional, offering teriyaki chicken, BBQ chicken, and smoked salmon on all types of rolls. Driftwood is set back from El Camino and is a great place to sit down with a group and enjoy lunch. Driftwood also offers tasty salads for those watching their weight. Special sandwiches run about $7, while more traditional fare costs $6.50, and salads run about $6.

Photo credit: flickr cc Marshall Astor