Delicious variety and value at Surf City Sandwich, plus new openings to watch for
Fresh, hands-on and welcoming, Surf City Sandwich shop is a ripping success. Imagine a clean lean cafe, walls embedded with vintage longboards, a wall mural of a green water pipeline of Mavericks proportions, and an HD flat screen streaming hypnotic wave action and underwater aquascapes. Now, fill it with inventive sandwiches and lots of handcrafted local beer on tap. That’s what I’m talking about.
We spotted the six-month-old shop on our way to Ocean Honda (practically next door at the corner of Soquel Drive and 41st Avenue). It was the “Verve” coffee sign outside that got our attention—if you’re not looking for Surf City Sandwich it can be hard to notice. The menu of creative sandwiches—plus breakfasts on weekends—made me wish I had brought six people with me just to sample more items. Jack and I were overwhelmed with possibilities.
But in the end here’s what we decided on: a winter wheat Hefeweizen beer by Pleasure Point’s New Bohemia, a rare roast beef sandwich ($9) and something called the Green Hornet involving Asian-inflected chicken, peanuts and finely diced veggies wrapped up tight in a spinach tortilla ($8). And what we got was a freshly made lunch of major sandwiches—my wrap was sliced into halves, each the size of a kick boxer’s quads. An army of thick-cut potato chips accompanied each order, and every bite seemed to rhyme with the luscious wheat beer, called “Highway to Hefe.” Lots of ripe fruit, hints of clove and a rounded finish distinguish this caramel-colored brew, enough to partner with the spicy, zingy, crunchy filling of my irresistible wrap. Huge cubes of chicken made a lively contrast with the crisp carrots and diced garlic chives. (Half of this monumental wrap came home with me for later on.)
Meanwhile back at Jack’s roast beef sandwich, we were both impressed with the quality of grass-fed beef in this gorgeous creation. Just another example of the attention to fresh ingredients owner Paul Figliomeni is obviously passionate about. Romancing the rare beef were tomatoes, Rip Tide ranch dressing, Swiss cheese, and a layer of micro-sprouts. Very satisfying, we both agreed, noticing that the line to place orders had lengthened right out the door.
Next time I want to try the Cubano, or the Banh Mi, or maybe the hot pastrami. Jack wants a burger for sure, and he sighed as he noticed another of the day’s special sandwiches involving panko-breaded squid from Stagnaro’s. If for some unfathomable reason you aren’t a sandwich person, relax. Surf City also makes creamy clam chowder served with a sourdough roll, and Caesar salad to which you can add grilled chicken. Everything here is something you really want to eat. And it’s all affordable—major value for not much money.
Surf City Sandwich is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. So you have no excuse not to check it out. Local craft brews, Verve coffee, quick friendly staff, killer sandwiches. Destination sandwiches. See what I mean?
Lunch of the Week
The luscious pan-roasted trout on market baby romaine with avocado, rings of sweet roast Delicata squash, and a splendidly seasoned vinaigrette. At Gabriella.
New Year’s Changes
The wait has been long for the opening of Germaine Akin’s latest dining room, Splash!, in the old Carniglia’s slot on the Santa Cruz Wharf. Akin, just back from holidays in the islands, tells me it could be open “within a month.” East End Gastropub—the sister to West End Tap Room might just be ready by Feb. 1, and, this spring, Uncommon Brewers’ mega-beer bar is scheduled to fill the former Farmers Exchange. Fingers crossed on all of the above. I’ll keep you posted.
THAT’S A WRAP Maddy Forrest of Surf City Sandwich with the “Green Hornet,” an Asian-inspired chicken, peanut and vegetable sandwich in a spinach wrap. PHOTO: CHIP SCHEUER
