Order Up! Sandwich Shops

By: Mr. Wilson on October 4, 2007
Yesterday it was Mexican fast food of questionable quality. Today: Downtown sandwich shops. The Journal Star's "The 402" section features a dozen Downtown sandwich shops today. How would you order them, from your favorite to least favorite? My order:
  1. Bison Witches. OK, #1 and I'm already cheating because this isn't even on The 402's list. But c'mon, they sell sandwiches, they're Downtown ... what's the deal, 402?
  2. Highnooners. I don't get there very often, but it's a nice little, local, simple sandwich joint.
  3. Doozy's. The place is almost always packed. They must be doing something right.
  4. Danny's. I haven't been there in years, but when I worked nearby I used to love going there for a small sandwich and some soup on a cold winter day.
  5. Brown Baggers. Their new location is very cozy, and I love the brown bag lunch.
  6. Planet Sub. I like the indoor/outdoor seating area.
  7. Subway. I've eaten more than my fair share of meatball subs at Subway.
  8. Roost. The sandwiches are good, but I'm not a big chicken salad guy. If I were, this would be higher on the list.
  9. Quiznos. I've tried to like Quiznos, but it's just meh fo rme.
  10. Jimmy John's. Sorry JJ's lovers, but this just isn't my thing. The new JJ's on 33rd and Pioneers looks like it's nearly ready to open, by the way.
I have never been to:
  • Erbert and Gerbert's
  • Manhattan Deli
  • Bread and Cup

Comments

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Fletch
October 4, 2007 at 1:59PM

The only one I’ve gone to downtown that’s neither Subway nor Quizno’s is Jimmy John’s, and I love it. I’d put it at the top of the list. I don’t get all the Doozy’s love in Lincoln, but that’s cool. I enjoy the Great Wraps at the mall, but are they even still downtown?

The JJ at 33rd and Pioneers opens on October 9, FYI.

Mr. T
October 4, 2007 at 2:24PM

Pretty much have to agree with you. I’d place the top three as:

Bison Witches
Highnooners
Danny’s Deli

Highnooners is awesome. Great tuna and egg salad sandwiches (on croissants with cukes and sprouts of course). At Danny’s the Z street is killer.

beerorkid
October 4, 2007 at 2:57PM

1. Bison witches for my top spot as well.  We talking bacon and a slice off a huge slab of cream cheese on your sammich.  An excellent chain that has their food done up right.

2. Quizno’s Every time I saw the comercials I was drooling.  Loves me a hot sammich and finally tried one.  I was completely blown away.  Very good and a huge amount of food.

3*. Bread and cup Not just for their sammiches, which are pretty good.  But I like all the other stuff they offer. (I do not go there for the sammiches, but think they deserve to be high up on my list)

4. The Manhattan Deli Their pastrami cannot be beat.  get it grilled / hot.  As far as their other offerings, not too impressed.

5. Doozy’s has awesome bread, cheese sticks, and a steak sammich.  Once again a hot sammich, I can eat a cold one at home.

6. Planet sub I like their pastrami.  I have only ate there once, but it was one good sammich.

7. Jimmy Johns.  Nothing simpler than a slim 1 with some jimmy chips.  No veg or anything, just meat and cheese.  I open it up and fold the innards over, rip off the empty part and enjoy.  Cheap and awesome for a late night meal.  And they are scary fast.

Erbert and Gerbert

beerorkid
October 4, 2007 at 2:59PM

Kind of unimpressed with that article.  I liked it when they did the burger showdown.  A commenter hit the nail on the head.

” I’m disappointed. I clicked on this story hoping it would be a culinary review of the sandwich shops downtown, not just a list. If I just wanted to the know their names I would have looked in the phone book. “

Neal
October 4, 2007 at 3:43PM

A showdown might upset some advertisers.

Andrew
October 4, 2007 at 5:13PM

I’m a vegetarian, so i’ll rank the ones that i’ve tried that also have veg sandwiches.

1. Planet Sub - I put this first not only because of the large selection of veggie sandwiches, but also because of the tempeh parmesan, which is probably the best sandwich anywhere in town.

2. Bison Witches - They have a really good veggie sandwich, and also the grilled pb&j which is tasty too. Avocados and creamcheese on a sandwich with melted cheese is so rad.

3. Quiznos - i’ve only been here once, and try to avoid chains, but they have a couple veg subs that are pretty good, definitely better then numbers 4 and 5.

4. Subway - I haven’t eaten here in a while, but their veggie sub is dirt cheap and although very minimal as far as nutrition goes, is still tastier than #5.

5. Jimmy Johns - their veggie sub is the most bland i’ve ever tried. occasionally my old lady will get me one when she is downtown drinking or hanging out, and i’ll eat it because i’m not going to throw it away, but i’d honestly rather have a homemade pb+j or go to any of the other places to get a sandwich. Apparently, it is the meat that makes jimmy johns, so that’s why i’m missing out, but whatever.

if you know of any other sandwich shops in town with good veggie sandwiches, let me know so i can try them out.

Mr. T
October 5, 2007 at 1:55AM

Andrew - I take it you know about Maggie’s. Another good veggie hit in DT is Ali Baba’s grilled veggie kabobs. Not sure if its vegan, but it is veggie. Nice guys there too.

Additionally, Highnooners has cheese sandwiches. I am usually there at least once a week for the croissant sandwiches.

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