You Say Sandwich, We Say Yeah!

I ate here twice and got take out once over a span of a week in Winnipeg. Banh Mi King just seemed to have what I was craving, starting with this taster of their assorted banh mi. The slaw and dressing ate first, and it was both acidic and spicy with a nice crunch. Moving on to the sandwich, the meats were well-made and no skimping on portions. I did want more pickled vegetables, and could have asked for as such next time, but this was the only time I got a banh mi. Does this mean I didn't really like it? I mean, the bread wasn't toasted, but I don't recall that being a problem. Or was I eager to try their extensive menu ? I never did try their baoger, which I'm not sure fits into this blog, but on sandwich alone, I would and have tried this place again, and again.

Formerly known as Fitzroy, or just in its same location, I had very fond memories of the Sherbrook Street Deli's smoked meat sandwich, which in all the years since I last had it, I thought was tongue. So upon returning to this deli, I ordered the tongue. In fact, I double downed on it. Getting twice as much meat as I remember how succulent and moist it was. The sandwich that came was not the sandwich I once had. This meat either needed another round in the pressure cooker, as it was still quite full of sinew. My dining companion had hers (regular portion) with a schmear of liver pate, and that was a good call. The slaw was decent, but forgettable, as were their kettle chips, but they do a good pickle. I ate this hulking pile of tongue meat, and wondered if I had simply ordered the wrong sandwich, or if that wonderful flaky salty meat memory will just have to remain a memory.

I love an all-day breakfast option, but a "healthy" breakfast option? Eating at Nuburger was more by default than by choice, as all the other restaurants I wanted to try in Osborne Village were closed that day. I like trying new places, but a place that prides itself on making healthy burgers sounds like a place that skimps on fatty flavour. Ordering their "It's Always Sunny" breakfast sandwich, as I must have felt extra healthy in not wanting their nitrate-free bacon, I was surprised by how long it took for the food to come out, and by how expensive this was. As you can see, the hard cheese and salad sits on top of an overcooked egg. The pesto aioli was pretty bland, and overly generous, but the crisp focaccia toasts weren't bad, but a strange highlight in this medley. Perhaps what really bummed me out was the decor, which was bright white lights and a lot of brushed steel and white plastic. It made me feel dead inside, and this sandwich did not re...

How quickly the Winnipeg Airport has risen in its stature as having one of the crummiest food options to one of the best with a Stella's right before security. While locals in know have turned cold to Stella's franchise like empire, I still love visiting any one of their chains, including the one at the airport. I mean, this is an airport sandwich! Freshly made breakfast sandwich with a side of fruit and a cup of Earl Grey. Hate on, haters, but this is still one of the best airport options anywhere. [Since this original post, more information has been shared about Stella's owners and business practices. We have not supported their businesses since at least 2017. We leave this and other related posts up as a reminder that bad behaviour will not be forgotten and will not be supported, no matter how good your sandwiches tasted!

A hot tip came my way via Jenny W, who re-introduced to herself by way of, "Hi, you may not remember me, but we once talked about sandwiches." Truth. I definitely remembered the conversation about the yet to be visited Lady of the Lake Cafe in Brandon, Manitoba, but unfortunately faces are not my strong point. Now with the recommendation of Fitzroy , a relatively new place down on Sherbrook, I will never forget you, JW! Highly recommended was the smoked goldeye, a Manitoba favorite fish, paired with creamy scrambled eggs and topped with caviar and scallions. I don't remember the sandwich part, I guess it came on toast, which in fact was delicious fried bread that I could eat for days and days until I explode. It was in fact so good that my dining companion (who ordered the cheeseburger) and I split a salt beef sandwich, which was a steamie served on thick cut Winnipeg Rye with a splatter of sweet heat mustard. With the morsels of salt beef breaking...

Craving a corned beef sandwich like you wouldn't believe, my last meal in Winnipeg ended up at Bernstein's Deli , but not before a trip to Danali's for a pair of high end denim. Turns out the most knowledgable denim salesman I have ever met just also happens to be married to the head chef at Bernstein's, and along with raw denim, he also highly recommended the Reuben burger and the house corned beef. A classic looking joint attached to a strip mall, Bernstein's was a hopping place on a Saturday morning and everyone looked really happy to be there. Going for half a corned beef sandwich on Winnipeg rye so that I could save room for the Reuben burger, I am aware that I could have just ordered the Reuben sandwich. However, I needed to taste the pure corned beef before it got mixed in with bison ground meat to make the said Reuben burger. First, the sandwich was just okay. Nothing amazing, could have used more flavours in my opinion and a spicier...

Having already eaten first dinner, a late stop into Rae and Jerry's resulted in ordering off their bar menu and a splitting of their jumbo shrimp cocktail and this, a Hot Roast Prime Rib of Beef Sandwich. Now one can very well argue this is no sandwich. I would not disagree, as the bread was all but present as a mild texture that had been soaked through and through with the jus of the prime rib and slathered further by the hot gravy. A thin slice of white bread could not hold even an eighth of that weight.  Described to me as "the finest truck stop version of a hot beef sandwich", I really can't say I have much to compare it to as I have never had a hot beef sandwich at a truck stop before. I also don't know if you can get the best martini's around at just any ol' truck stop. Just one more thing to find out, I guess. All in all, it was good, but I wouldn't crave it. If I want prime rib, I just want the prime rib, sandwich not necessary.

The new Winnipeg airport is jaw dropping. I honestly thought the plane had landed in another city, but my shock quickly subsided when I saw how many ladies were wearing fur. It was spring time. So where else could I possibly be. One of the best things about the new airport (even though I loved the old facade) is the presence of a Stella's right near the departure gates. This changes everything, because if I had to eat their rubbery Harvey's burgers one more time, I was going to lose it. Stopping in for a 4 p.m. dinner before my flight back to Vancouver, I got their club sandwich, which I actually never had before. I've their roast chicken , but the club is actually far superior. I have often eaten at Stella's as a last meal in Winnipeg as it's cheap and quick, but to have one right at the airport with all day breakfast service is really going the distance. Best airport sandwich, by far.

So apparently for years now I've been calling this anarchist book store/cafe "Moon Dragon" until finally, someone with some decency informed me that it's actually called Mondragón . I doubt I will stop calling this place Moon Dragon, being a total hippie hang out and all, with power carob balls and always plenty of lentils on the menu. But holy damn, is their Southwestern Fried Tofu Sandwich a treat. I'm not sure what type of tofu they're using or how they're making it crisp up without losing the tofu texture, but served with what can only be described as a salad between a bun, it's a great little snack to push you along whether you're about to defy order or uphold it.

Lord help me with my love for breakfast sandwiches. I was rushing off to a morning meeting, but I needed to eat a breakfast sandwich from Stella's before the day ran away from me. Ordering it to go, and just packing up the potatoes, I sat on Osborne St. wolfing down their delicious breakie sammie. A freshly fried egg, on ham or bacon, with cheese, on perfect sourdough. This sandwich was not pressed, but assembled, which is rare in the land of good breakfast sandwiches, that often reheat pre-made eggs, which is possibly the worst idea ever. Oh, Stella's, until we meet again.

I was dining across the street at Sergovia tapas bar when I was discussing with a foodie friend the possibilities of sandwiches nearby. We were feasting on Iberico de Bellota and so we had a lot to chew and muse upon. We asked our server what her favorite sandwich was and she said it was the roast chicken sandwich right across the street at Stella's. How convenient. A roast chicken sandwich is nothing to sneeze about, but when done right, it is nourishing and comforting all at once. Now there is a difference between a rotisserie and a roast chicken sandwich, the former is juicier, but the latter has a home cooking feeling. You decide. With a dab of homemade cranberry on homemade bread, paired with a nutty ceasar salad, this chicken sandwich was pretty damn tasty. And cheap! Oh, Winnipeg, how you steal my heart. Stella's Cafe and Bakery

I was running between a conference at the Fort and a screening a few blocks away, and knackered, I tucked into the bar and tucked into a lox sandwich and salad. I was recommended to try their sandwiches, but only after the fact, was I informed that the lox sandwich was actually the worst of the bunch. Subpar at best, as you can see, the bread was pretty boring white bread and filled you up in lieu of anything substantial in between. Washing it all down with a small bottle of prosecco, I realized the meal was very unsatisfying after I felt pretty tipsy on two glasses. It also doesn't help that the bartender was an asshole, but that is really neither here nor there. Definitely a shameful experience all around.

I've been to Winnipeg twice and I've stopped into the White Star Diner twice. Nestled within the Exchange District, White Star Diner serves up a pulled pork sandwich that satisfies. The key to their success may be in their coleslaw, that goes RIGHT INTO THE SANDWICH, which as both texture, temperature, and flavour, provides a great balance to the meaty bites of pulled pork heaped onto a fresh bun. Going for the double oink, the slices of thick cut bacon on the mounds of sweet and savoury pork was absolutely heavenly. I thought it would be too much, but of course excess has never stopped me, and yet, it wasn't too much. Scaling back the pork for the other pork, the double oink gets my vote! The nice couple next to me, who I actually knew from another town, were mauwing down the hamburgers, which is something I will have to try next time, because their recommendation, or rather, their insistence that I visit the Manitoba Museum was solid gold, and if the museum is even a frac...