For all the years leading up to my time at the Smokehaus, I ate the Cajun Finn. Exclusively. My only deviation was if I was lucky enough to show up on Taco Tuesday. Once I started working here, I knew I needed to explore the very expansive menu for no other reason than product knowledge. While doing research under the cloak of product testing, I learned what I've always known: we make some ridiculously good food. If you’ve ever come to the deli and asked the person working what their favorite sandwich is and saw them hesitate, hmm and haw... it’s for good reason. There’s much to choose from and rarely is it a bad choice. While I still love The Finn, I have yet to go wrong deviating from my old standby.
I took an informal poll of some staff (okay, I drug them aside and demanded an answer), veteran and new-ish and everything in-between. Here are the results:
Nic P: "Italiensk. I love it because it features our salamundos (large diameter salamis) and the mortadella which are some of my favorite products we make here."
Cho: “Probably The ‘06 because I really like our bison pastrami. Our meats are so quality and you can really taste it in the pastrami. And who doesn’t love a toasty sandwich?"
Tyler: “The ‘06 or a Phoebe for a good food coma. If I need to go light: Sitka Sushi for the win. Or, a pizza on a naan”. Author’s notes: I had to inform Tyler that pizza, indeed, is not on our menu. No, really, we can't make you a pizza.
Emma: “Spring Roll on a Square (vegan mode!). I love the pickled veg, it has such a unique flavor profile. The almonds? DEVINE. So good! They give it the crunch. God bless Patricia.” Author's Note: Our Spring Roll used to be served on a Naan (thus, the "roll") but moving forward it will be served on a square ciabatta which makes this solid vegetarian option a vegan sandwich too!
Cal: "D-Luxxx with Turkey. Always the turkey. Or, a Cold Turkey or, a Cedar's Secret. The turkey is so good." Author's note: Cal's been working here since he's been in the womb. So if he says the turkey's good, it's good.
Nicholas Matthew Ruszat Klee: “For years I’ve ordered the Cold Turkey, now I make the Cold Turkey, thus the circle of life continues.” When asked what he would do if we were out of Crayo, a critical ingredient in this second best selling sandwich, Nick responded, mournfully, that he “would simply weep”.
Taylor P: "Big Dipper. The porketta here is so good and it feels like the regional favorite that I grew up eating is less common. Plus, people generally wouldn't think of making a sandwich with this as the key ingredient."
Brian: "Hedonist or Bahn Faux Mi. Both feature the country pâté which has such a great, complex flavor. I see people who have worked here for a very long time regularly eat the country pâté which is an indicator that a product is good and has lasting power."
Justin: "Bahn Faux Mi." Author's notes: Justin is a man of few words.
Ben: "I worked in the pizza industry for a long time. When I go to a place that specializes in pizza, I get the most basic thing they have, a cheese pizza. If their crust and their sauce aren't great, their pizza won't be great. So here, I would recommend some of our most basic sandwiches like the The Northern Bagel with Smoked Salmon or Gravlax. You'll get to taste what we do best and guaranteed, it will be delicious."
