Inside My Table #86 | Restaurant listings
Sandwich Chains
Sandwiches, often with a bag of chips, are the default lunchtime food. They’re quick, cheap and usually satisfying. Not to mention, sandwich chains are a popular franchise opportunity. As you can tell from looking at nearly every busy intersection in town, new ones are popping up all the time. Though the best sandwiches are always from a local place that reflects the indigenous culture — a lobster roll in New England, for example, or a cheesesteak in Philadelphia — in a pinch a chain spot will do. Here are 14.
ANTONE’S IMPORT CO., 2424 Dunstan at Kelvin, 713-521-2883, 3 area locations. The “Import Co.” locations have more charm and serve better sandwiches than do the Antone’s Famous Po-boys & Deli, which is a different branch of the original family tree. The famous “original” po’boys are under-stuffed and come garnished with thin pickle slices and the beloved chowchow, a piquant relish of pickled cabbage, onions, sweet peppers and paprika. $
BROWN BAG DELI, 2036 Westheimer near S. Shepherd, 713-807-9191, 3 area locations. This efficient concept for ordering cold sandwiches is from the folks who own Barnaby’s. It features a design-it-yourself method with choices for bread, meats, cheeses and condiments pre-printed on brown paper bags. You mark your choices on the bag, add your name and turn it in to the sandwich maker. The breads are slightly sweet and always fresh, the meats and other fillings are slightly eclectic and top-notch $
JASON’S DELI, 10321 Katy Freeway bet. Gessner & Beltway 8, 713-467-2007, 15 area locations. You can pretty much find whatever you want at this Beaumont import, from sandwiches to wraps, po’boys to pasta, soups to a serve-yourself salad bar, cheesecake and children’s menu. Kids like the free soft-serve cones.
JIMMY JOHN’S GOURMET SANDWICHES, 3231 Southwest Freeway at Buffalo Speedway, 713-664-0086, 5 area locations. This chain began serving students at Eastern Illinois University in 1983, and the emphasis at their well-polished locations is on quick service and value. Sandwiches come on seven-grain bread or French bread, and the emphasis is on fresh-sliced meats and cheeses (nothing pre-sliced). $
LEE’S SANDWICHES, 11210 Bellaire at Boone, 281-933-9988, 2 area locations. This Vietnamese sandwich chain from California — it began with a catering truck in 1981 — might not craft banh mi as tasty as the homegrown options, but these slick operations have their charms, especially the airy 10,000-square-foot space in the heart of New Chinatown. Their Vietnamese sandwiches made on crusty baguettes are enjoyable and cheap. In addition, there are also sandwiches made with croissants. $
LENNY’S SUB SHOP, 1001 Fannin at McKinney in the tunnel, 713-951-9299, 25 area locations. Using a familiar, if slightly limited menu (just two dozen items) rooted in the East Coast sub shop model, Lenny’s serves cold and hot sandwiches and salads. With thick, quality rolls, an excellent hot relish and a more generous amount of meat, these are some of the best sandwiches of the national chains. The roast beef is especially good. $
MURPHY’S DELI, 440 Louisiana at Prairie, 713-247-9122, 64 area locations. It’s not an Irish heritage, but the first location on Murphy Road in Stafford that lends its name to this chain best known for its signature Houston-style muffaletta. A soft warmed round loaf, generous hand with the olive dressing and smoked ham, salami and provolone make these habit-forming. Also serving a turkey muffaletta, plus gyros, Reubens, hot and cold subs and a number of salads that might have a regional or Mediterranean bent. $
PANERA BREAD BAKERY-CAFE, 680 Memorial City Mall, 713-465-2253, 12 area locations. Baking more than a dozen types of breads in-house helps to ensure some sandwich options are far from run-of-the-mill. Served both hot and cold, most feature turkey or chicken, but there should be something for everyone. Breakfast served early, soups, salads and individually sized pizzas, plus a more welcoming environ than the typical sandwich shop help make these appealing for more than just a short lunchtime visit. $
PHILLY CONNECTION, 1801 Durham at I-10, 713-863-1129, 7 area locations. Capitalizing on South Philly’s contribution to the nation’s rising cholesterol level, these utilitarian stops provide a pretty good take on this classic American sandwich. The original version with melted American cheese can be gussied up in a number of ways. There is also a chicken version, a handful of cold hoagies, Tastykakes (Philly’s packaged treats) and meat-topped salads for the health (ahem) conscious. $
POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS, 3800 Southwest Freeway at Timmons, 832-675-0500, 5 area locations. One of the most appealing of the national chains, these assembly-line operations with spacious interiors are set up for the lunchtime rush when a savory, modestly sized hot sandwich will hit the spot without providing much of a dent in the wallet. Customized to order from a dozen basic choices on quality, crusty bread. There are also some dessert items, shakes, malts and smoothies. $
QUIZNOS SUBS, 920 Studemont at Washington, 713-880-1401, 93 area locations. With locations in seemingly every strip center, Quiznos subs on toasted bread have numerous fans. Besides several choices of “sammies,” or sandwiches made on flatbread, there are also classic sandwiches such as the basic Italian sub, meatball sub, club, tuna melt and a French dip. Or order bread bowls filled with hot soup. Settings are functional and meant for scarfing rather than lingering. $
SCHLOTZSKY’S DELI, 1005 Westheimer at Montrose, 713-528-3354, 30 area locations. This funny-named Austin ex-pat was the first hot sandwich chain that many Texans experienced. Featuring distinctive spongy bread, the sandwich collection grew from a limited number of Italian-oriented fillings to a wide range of combinations, small pizzas, wraps, salads and baked potatoes. These functional stops are fine for a quick lunch, but don’t satisfy as fully as in the early days. $
TEXADELPHIA, 6025 Westheimer west of Fountain View, 713-785-6700, 4 area locations. Many a UT grad has a soft spot for this quintessential Texas cheesesteak chain, which began in Austin. The original Houston branch on Westheimer is still a prime spot to catch Texas Longhorn sports. At any location, the tidy cheesesteaks are best completed with an extra like mushroom or peppers, plus one of the sauces such as the mustard blend. Better yet, order double meat. $
WHICH WICH, 3815 Richmond at Edloe, 713-871-9424, 3 area locations. Featuring a neat mix-and-match concept with 10 different meats and other combinations, plus cheese and condiments that yield countless sandwich choices, these vibrant and slick, if no-frills, operations out of Dallas are adept at turning out a tasty, small sandwich at one basic price. As at Brown Bag Deli, you mark your order on a bag. $
