Looking for crave-worthy sandwiches on the Space Coast? Here are 5 favorites

Suzy Fleming Leonard, Florida Today
·3 min read

What exactly is a sandwich?

At its most basic, it's two pieces of bread with something in between.

But take another bite, and you'll realize it's more than a drive-thru meal hastily gobbled to tide you over until something better comes along.

A sandwich can be nostalgia. Close your eyes and bite into a PB&J on soft, white bread. It's like time travel to the best days of childhood.

A sandwich can be comfort. Few things can warm the body and soothe the soul like a buttery, gooey grilled cheese.

A sandwich can be decadent. Don't believe me? Try the Bacon Cheddar Deluxe at Rebellion Wine Bar in Cocoa Village. The combo of bacon, cheese, tomato and red onion jam is a food coma waiting to happen. It's beyond delicious, but it's so rich, I recommend sharing.

A sandwich can be the easy option when nothing else on the menu is appealing, but it can also be your go-to order, the dish that brings you back to the same restaurant again and again.

These are five such sandwiches. They're the ones I crave, the ones for which I'm willing to travel.

Buddy's Beef at Ossorio in Cocoa Village

Ossorio Bakery & Cafe, 316 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village, 321-639-2423, ossorio.com

Buddy's Beef at Ossorio Bakery & Cafe in Cocoa Village features seasoned beef and melted cheese wrapped in a crisp flatbread.
Buddy's Beef at Ossorio Bakery & Cafe in Cocoa Village features seasoned beef and melted cheese wrapped in a crisp flatbread.

Buddy's Beef isn't a traditional sandwich. Instead, steak slices, melted cheese, tomatoes, greens and red onions are sprinkled liberally with balsamic vinaigrette, then cocooned in a folded flatbread. And if that's not enticing enough, the sandwich is toasted in Ossorio's wood-fired oven, giving it a slightly smoky crispness.

Chicken Avocado Club at Time Square in Suntree

Time Square Diner, 7777 N. Wickham Road, Suite 22, Suntree, 321-622-6909, timesquaredinerinfl.com

The Chicken Avocado Club at Time Square Diner in Suntree is massive, messy and delicious.
The Chicken Avocado Club at Time Square Diner in Suntree is massive, messy and delicious.

If you're a club sandwich purist, stop reading now. Time Square's version isn't one of those with three slices of bread cut into perfect triangles and speared with decorative toothpicks. The Time Square Chicken Avocado Club features grilled chicken breast with bacon, avocado, Havarti, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayo, served on ciabatta bread. It's big enough for three meals, and it's messy enough for six napkins. Trust me, it's worth the mess.

Croque Madame at Le French in Indian Harbour Beach

Le French Restaurant, 1924 State Road A1A Indian Harbour Beach, 321-622-8977, lefrenchrestaurant.com

The Croque Madame at Le French Restaurant in Indian Harbour Beach adds a touch of sophistication to the average lunch hour.
The Croque Madame at Le French Restaurant in Indian Harbour Beach adds a touch of sophistication to the average lunch hour.

Stylish, intimate Le French has earned a reputation for upscale contemporary French food served at dinner time, but I'll let you in on a secret. Le French serves lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and it's fabulous. The classic Croque Madame, with its soft, toasted bread, ham, cheese and béchamel sauce, topped by a fried egg, is a stellar combination of flavors and textures. It adds a touch of sophistication to the average lunch hour.

More about Le French: Indian Harbour Beach restaurant brunch defines French style, flavor | Restaurant Review

HnB Club at Hell 'n Blazes in downtown Melbourne

Hell 'n Blazes Brewing Co., 1002 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, 321-821-4052, hellnblazesbrewing.com

The HnB Club at Hell 'n Blazes Brewing Co. in downtown Melbourne hides a savory, sweet surprise: candied bacon.
The HnB Club at Hell 'n Blazes Brewing Co. in downtown Melbourne hides a savory, sweet surprise: candied bacon.

Two clubs on one list? In my defense, they're very different dishes, and neither are your standard club. Plus, I really like bacon, so indulge me here. The house-smoked turkey nestled on crisp lettuce with fresh tomato, avocado and bistro sauce are enough to make a great sandwich, especially when it's all stacked between toasted slices of quality multigrain bread. But Hell 'n Blazes kicks it up a notch by adding its signature candied bacon.

More about Hell 'n Blazes: Cheers! Melbourne brewery earns Best Florida Beer title in state competition

Tripleta at Tiny Turtle in Cocoa Beach

The Tiny Turtle, 249 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, 321-446-7361, thetinyturtle.com

The Tripleta Sandwich at the Tiny Turtle in Cocoa Beach features roasted island pork, braised island chicken, savory sweet ham, pepper jack cheese, romaine, tomato, potato sticks and Creme Caribe on pressed Puerto Rican sobao bread.
The Tripleta Sandwich at the Tiny Turtle in Cocoa Beach features roasted island pork, braised island chicken, savory sweet ham, pepper jack cheese, romaine, tomato, potato sticks and Creme Caribe on pressed Puerto Rican sobao bread.

If you're craving a taste of the islands, you'll find it at The Tiny Turtle, the friendliest, most cheerful restaurant in Cocoa Beach. I ordered the Tripleta Sandwich on my last visit with every intention of taking half home. Instead, I cleaned my plate. What's not to love about roasted island pork, braised island chicken, savory sweet ham, pepper jack cheese, romaine, tomato, potato sticks and Creme Caribe on pressed Puerto Rican sobao bread?

More about The Tiny Turtle: From tiny to mighty: Cocoa Beach restaurant survives challenges to become local mainstay

Suzy Fleming Leonard is a features journalist with more than three decades of experience. Reach her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Find her on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard. 

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: From Cocoa Beach to Melbourne, here are 5 crave-worthy sandwiches