# PBS's "Sandwiches That You Will Like" - what's your favorite sandwich shop? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 4, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383 "2003-11-04T17:46:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/1 "2003-11-04T17:46:14Z")
You may or may not have seen WQED’s PBS show [“Sandwiches That You Will Like”](http://www.wqed.org/tv/natl/sandwiches/index.shtml), a documentary/travelogue on the most popular sandwich shops in the US and the specialties that make them that way. But no matter - [Here’s the list of places visited](http://www.wqed.org/tv/natl/sandwiches/main.shtml): Buffalo, New York, Schwabl’s, Beef on Weck Natick, Massachusetts, Soldier Systems Center, Shelf-Stable Sandwiches Watertown, Massachusetts, Sepal, Falafel Boston, Massachusetts, Kelly’s, Roast Beef Wiscasset, Maine, Red’s Eats, Lobster Roll New York, New York - Katz’s Deli, Pastrami & more - Peanut Butter & Company , PB&J, the Elvis & more Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, - George’s Sandwich Shop, Roast pork, tripe & more - Pat’s, cheesesteak - Geno’s, cheesesteak - Dallesandro’s, cheesesteak - Chickie’s Italian Deli Hoagies (veggie & more) Chicago, Illinois - Mr. Beef, Italian Beef - Buona Beef, Italian Beef Marshalltown, Iowa, Maid Rite, Loose meat St Louis, Missouri - C&K Barbecue, Snoots, Ears & Rib Tips - Kim Van, St. Paul (egg foo young and tomato) Louisville, Kentucky, Brown Hotel, Hot Brown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Isaly’s Chipped Ham “Slammer” New Orleans, Louisiana - Domilise’s Po-Boys - Central Grocery Muffalettas Houston, Texas, Thelma’s, Barbecue Los Angeles, California, Philippe’s French Dip San Jose, California, Huong Lan Sandwiches Banh Mi (Vietnamese subs) There are several cities I’m going to visit now that I’ve seen what they make - even Marshalltown, Iowa for some loose meat (my own pick). But I have to be loyal to my Kelly’s, even if I prefer their fish and chips to their roast beef sandwich. The beach atmosphere, with the grossly-fat seagulls cleaning up the leftover fries, just adds a little of what the French call a certain I don’t know what, that no neighborhood BBQ joint can offer. But of course, you’ll all have to do the same for your own local favorites. You can keep the Army’s never-goes-bad stuff, naturally. I’m going to make a detour to Wiscasset, ME for the best lobster roll pretty soon, too. So, other than your hometown favorite, whose sammidges from the show make your mouth water the most? Who should have been on there that wasn’t? ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/2 "2003-11-04T17:56:50Z")
I love Italian beef, and one of the two they list is a favorite of mine. My other favorite is Jay’s. However – for deli purposes, the best place in Chicago is the Cold Comfort Deli on North Avenue. My favorite sandwich there is the Che Guevara – turkey pastrami on toasted bolo bread with tomatoes, spinach, feta, and garlic oil. So incredibly delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/3 "2003-11-04T18:12:37Z")
If they went to Pittsburgh and neglected Primanti Brothers, then PBS is grossly negligent. Worse, if they did so with WQED (Pittsburgh’s PBS station) producing the show. I hope this is only a partial list. Best sandwich in the country. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/4 "2003-11-04T18:33:42Z")
I loved that special. Really really made me hungry for a sandwich at both Geno’s AND Pat’s, but I think I’d get killed if I were spotted going to one after eating at the other. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/5 "2003-11-04T19:01:19Z")
Horribly absent is: Kansas City, Missouri, Arthur Bryant’s, Beef and Pork BBQ combo Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mama Mia’s, meatball grinder ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2003, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/6 "2003-11-04T21:47:56Z")
They went to Boston and did Kelly’s? What a grave, grave disservice to the Roast Beef Sandwich. They should have come up to Beverly and visited Nick’s, or at least stopped off on Rt. 1 at Bill and Bob’s, at Kappy’s. Kelly’s is evil, and an insult to the Roast Beef Sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/7 "2003-11-05T04:24:53Z")
Damn! MIssed it! How bad did they bungle the origin of some of those sammiches? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Obvious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@Mr.Obvious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Obvious)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/8 "2003-11-05T05:02:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Moto \* > \*\*If they went to Pittsburgh and neglected Primanti Brothers, then PBS is grossly negligent. > > Worse, if they did so with WQED (Pittsburgh’s PBS station) producing the show. > > I hope this is only a partial list. Best sandwich in the country. \*\* I’m sorry mate, but Primanti Brothers is as overrated as it gets. Take a sandwich…triple the meat content (as if Pittsburgh women aren’t fat enough) put some french fries on it and act like you’ve invented oxygen. Yippie fukin doo daa. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/9 "2003-11-05T11:56:51Z")
You sandwhich connesiours are going to hate me for this… Subway… The veggies are always fresh, they have excellent mustard and sweet onion sauce and get this… I actually like the bread. I don’t like bread usually, but I like it there. A veggie sub with pepperjack cheese on italian herbs and cheese bread, hold the olives, extra pickles and onions, mustard, sweet onion sauce, black pepper and oregano… or… A meatball with provolone on italian herbs and cheese, onions, pickles, green peppers, black pepper and oregano… now I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Girlbysea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Girlbysea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girlbysea)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/10 "2003-11-05T12:07:25Z")
Jewish Mother… Best at the beach… there mustard is to die for… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/11 "2003-11-05T12:35:30Z")
I wouldn’t rank it with the finest in the country, but the Jewish Mother does have mighty fine food. Mrs. Moto and I always stop in whenever we’re in Virginia Beach. They were very kind to the Moto Twins when we brought them by as well, even though they made a horrendous mess (couldn’t be helped, as they were only 10 months old at the time). ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/12 "2003-11-05T13:21:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Odinoneeye \* > \*\*You sandwhich connesiours are going to hate me for this… > > Subway… > \*\* I won’t hate you… although I will question your taste. I’ve never had a sandwich from Subway that I would rate above “edible”. Usually the only times I ever eat there is if I’m on the road and there is one in the gas station or if someone else really wants to go. I don’t really care much for Philly cheesesteaks, I mean the real ones, not the imitations. Just give me a cheesesteak with lettuce, tomato, mayo, with swiss cheese on a toasted roll. Although I can understand why Philly’s are popular, they aren’t my thing. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/13 "2003-11-05T13:35:28Z")
My favorite was Hy Sofer’s in Schenectady, but they’ve been out of business for a couple of decades. Let’s just say if God made sandwiches, they would taste like those as Hy Sofer’s. Current is the Center Stage Deli in Rotterdam, NY. It actually replaced Hy Sofer’s, but is now at a new location. Just plain great sandwiches. For Philly-style steak, it’s Morette’s in Schenectady. From what I’ve seen of the real thing ( **Velveeta?** Gag!!!), they’re better than the original. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/14 "2003-11-05T14:31:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Girlbysea \* > \*\*Jewish Mother… Best at the beach… there mustard is to die for… \*\* Oh, man! I miss the Jewish Mother. It was one of the few things I liked about living in Tidewater. My favorite restaurant sammiches are Primanti Brothers. According to National Geographic, there are 1000 calories in a Primanti’s cheesesteak. There are zero people who care, including me. However, as most MADs will attest, my own husband makes the Best Damn Cheesesteaks to be found in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I am a lucky woman. 🙂 Robin ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/15 "2003-11-05T15:20:42Z")
I always thought that **Al’s** (on Taylor?) was the place to go in Chicago for an Italian beef. Best _I’ve_ had, anyway. Best sandwich in the world is an NYC Italian hero…capicola, prosciutto, Genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, pimientos, oregano, oil & vinegar. My favorite places are the Italian Food Center (charming name, huh?) on the northwest corner of Hester and Mulberry, or Pollio’s in Brooklyn. Close runner-up is the ham and debris po’boy at Mother’s, in New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/16 "2003-11-05T18:05:54Z")
Bill and Bob’s? Are you nuts? Take some dry, tough RB slices, put them on an onion roll, and (here’s the secret ingredient) add French dressing! Tada! Still, if that’s what you like … Subway? That’s where you go to _lose_ weight, if you believe the Jared commercials. I’m not interested in even trying one. The company cafeteria is pretty much useless _except for_ the cheesesteaks and clam chowder. Hell, they even taste good in the same meal. ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/17 "2003-11-05T18:57:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Obvious \* > \*\*I’m sorry mate, but Primanti Brothers is as overrated as it gets. > > Take a sandwich…triple the meat content (as if Pittsburgh women aren’t fat enough) put some french fries on it and act like you’ve invented oxygen. Yippie fukin doo daa. \*\* Ooooookay… what am I missing here. That sounds like sandwich heaven to me, man. They missed Tony Luke’s roast pork and broccoli rabe sammie in Philly. To me, the very best meatball and sausage grinder is found at John and Sons 2 in Wormtown, MA. Homemade sausage and meatballs steeped in homemade sauce for hours, then stuffed into a boot, a half loaf of Italian bread hollowed out for maximum stuffage. I actually got into a bike accident and broke my kneecap because of one of those. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/18 "2003-11-05T20:07:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElvisL1ves \* > \*\*Bill and Bob’s? Are you nuts? Take some dry, tough RB slices, put them on an onion roll, and (here’s the secret ingredient) add French dressing! Tada! Still, if that’s what you like … \*\* Well, Bill and Bob’s is hardly my favorite, but if they can’t be bothered to drive all the way to Nick’s, it’ll do. As for the french dressing remark, what the hell are you talking about? They use James River Barbecue Sauce, just like Nick’s and every other Roast Beef place that is truly appropriate, because it is the ONLY choice. ---
**Author:** ![bughunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@bughunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bughunter)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/19 "2003-11-05T20:28:32Z")
Somehow, I can’t seem to find the Hot Italian Sub like I used to get as a boy in Chelsea, Mass. It’s a hoagie roll, with salami, mortadella, prosciutto… whatever, and provolone, with tomato and shredded lettuce and onion, with oil and vinegar, and then put into the pizza oven… There was a place here in Pasadena, CA that served a close approximation, Primo Italian Deli, but they closed… If you go to Quizo’s, and get a classic Italian sub, then you’re getting almost as close… but they’re missing something. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383/20 "2003-11-06T01:58:58Z")
People in Philly see those Philly names as ‘touristy’. We have corner jonts that kick all ass. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbss-sandwiches-that-you-will-like-whats-your-favorite-sandwich-shop/211383.md?page=2)