Lunchtime hero: Top 5 favorite sandwiches around Tallahassee

Martha Gruender, Tallahassee Democrat
·4 min read

A sandwich by any other other name would taste as sweet. The Dagwood. The BLT. The Hoagie, the Hero, the Submarine, the Reuben, the Club, the Po' Boy or the PB&J. It's hard to choose just one of the best things since two slices of bread.

If we start eating now we can take a bite out of each in time to celebrate National Sandwich Day on Nov. 3, a nod to the Earl of Sandwich, credited with the invention. In celebration, we took a random sampling from popular Tallahassee sandwich shops and came up with a few of our favorites.

It all starts with fresh, delicious bread and builds on inventive ingredients, traditional meats and cheeses, fresh veggies and seasonings and toppings. Go out and discover your faves.

Here's an alphabetical list of handhelds to try.

1. The Hawthorn Bistro & Bakery

Hawthorn Italian on sourdough bread with salami, capicola, black forest ham and provolone.
Hawthorn Italian on sourdough bread with salami, capicola, black forest ham and provolone.

1307 N. Monroe St., Unit 1, 850-354-8275;hawthorntlh.com

Having your own bakery with artisan bread in house has to give Hawthorn Bistro an edge when it comes to fresh sandwich fixings. Choices include artisan baguette, herb foccacia, milk bread, ciabatta, brioche and sourdough. The Hawthorn Italian rings all the bells with salami, capicola, black forest ham, provolone, pickled Italian peppers, shredded lettuce, shaved sweet onion, tomato, aioli, Parmesan and Italian dressing on ciabatta bread. It's just as yummy on sour dough.

The Hawthorn Club gets high marks, as well as the seasonal soups and salads like the Kale & Greens Chef's Salad. We would be remiss not to mention the bakery goodies like farm quiche, apple pie, hand pies, cookies, brownies, scones and more. That sounds like a whole other story.

2. Hopkins' Eatery

Hopkins Eatery, which has three locations, shown at North Monroe, where eclectic art and hanging plants add to its charm.
Hopkins Eatery, which has three locations, shown at North Monroe, where eclectic art and hanging plants add to its charm.

Three locations: 1660 North Monroe, 850-386-4258; 1208 Capital Circle SE 850-325-6422; and 1415 Market Street, 850-668-0311; hopkinseatery.com

Old-timers have been lunching at Hopkins eatery since it opened in 1981, bringing a fresh approach to deli sandwiches to Tallahassee. Rye-pumpernickel zebra bread, salads like Chicken Tetrazzini and Salad Nicoise and the delicious Congo bars were something new and a big hit.

Veggie fans swear by the Vegetarian Primo, a layered creation of carrots, celery, cucumber, bell pepper, cheddar cheese, onion, mushrooms, swiss cheese, tomato, lettuce, provolone cheese and sprouts. The Linda Special, a house favorite, is a simple winner in our book: Turkey, provolone, tomato and sprouts on rye-pumpernickel with mayonnaise and house dressing. The Ultimate Turkey is a chef's favorite, loaded with turkey, cheddar and mushrooms.

3. Jeri's Midtown Cafe

The Kev, a sandwich offered at Jeri's Midtown Cafe and Jeri's at Market Plaza.
The Kev, a sandwich offered at Jeri's Midtown Cafe and Jeri's at Market Plaza.

1123 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee; 850-385-7268; also 1370 Market St., Suite #1; 850-756-7660; jeristallahassee.com

With a new location added this summer at Market Plaza and a slogan like Love on a Plate, it's easy to fall for any of Jeri Madden's sandwiches. Enfolded in a light and crispy Tribeca Demi Baguette, the pressed sandwiches deliver toasty goodness. For veggie lovers, The Kev is amazing. It's slathered with roasted artichoke hearts, Roma tomatoes, red and yellow peppers, herbed mayo, pesto and cheese. Adding bacon is highly recommended. Or add pulled chicken for a heartier meal. The veggies meld into a gooey burst of flavor with every bite. Also great are The Granny Smith and Brie or The Tab (turkey, apple butter and brie).

The BLT, a sandwich offered at Jeri's Midtown Cafe and Jeri's at Market Plaza.
The BLT, a sandwich offered at Jeri's Midtown Cafe and Jeri's at Market Plaza.

Sandwiches come with a range of sides including tasty lobster bisque and Hoppin John Salad. Whet your appetite with complimentary pimento cheese and crackers. It will make you want to try Paige's Pimento Press.

Restaurant: Double the Love: Jeri’s Midtown Café opens second location in Tallahassee’s Market Plaza

4. Metro Deli

Cuban sandwich from Metro Deli, where you can get deli sandwiches, grinders, subs, wraps and salads.
Cuban sandwich from Metro Deli, where you can get deli sandwiches, grinders, subs, wraps and salads.

104 1/2 S. Monroe St., 850-224-6870; metrodelitally.com

Convenient to downtown and a short walk from the DoubleTree Hotel or the Capitol, Metro Deli gets heavy action from office workers, lawyers and the Capitol crowd. Order ahead or be ready to order at the well-traveled counter.

The menu of specialty sandwiches in the New York style deli runs from Grilled Cheese to Cubans to the Turkey Club Sub, from Grinders to Wraps. Small and noisy with old school music and a retro feel, the deli has picnic style tables inside and small tables on the sidewalk to watch the world go by in nice weather. Try the Hot Pastrami with mustard and Swiss on rye or the Hot Corned Beef with mustard and Swiss on rye.

5. Uptown Cafe and Catering

1325 Miccosukee Road, 850-219-9800; uptowncafeandcatering.com

Locally owned Uptown Cafe has been a Tallahassee lunch staple since opening in 1983 and is celebrating it's 40th year in business operated by the second generation of Tedios. Popular for breakfast and brunch, Uptown is known for its Apricot Glazed Smoked Salmon, a local tradition for holidays and gift giving.

That salmon makes an awesome sandwich! The classic Smoked Salmon on Ciabatta Roll comes with homemade garlic dill cream cheese, fresh tomato and spinach on a toasted roll.

Arguably Uptown’s most famous sandwich, the Ruby Diamond is named after the Tallahassee philanthropist and notable Florida State University donor who also had a concert hall named for her. On the menu for 35 years and not to be missed, the simple Ruby Diamond dazzles on rye swirl bread with in-house oven-roasted turkey, fresh tomato, sprouts, provolone and Italian dressing.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Lunchtime hero: Tallahassee's top 5 favorite sandwiches