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The Tully Trilogy of Sandwiches

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I’m trying to lose some weight. I’m not fat yet, but I feel it on the horizon. Playing golf and going to the gym a few times a week keeps it off, but my real weakness is lunch.

I just finished listening to the Barstool Chicago Draft where they were discussing the greatest trios of all time. There were some great answers, Red, White, and Blue, The Holy Trinity, The Cowboys Triplets, certainly worth a listen during a run or a worker. But it got me thinking about the best trios I could think of, and since I listened during lunch, my brain went to Subs.

I’ve always been a sandwich for lunch guy. I love bread. Good bread like a French loaf from the grocery store, the hot one that you could bring home and dip in olive oil when it was still hot. That makes the sandwich. In middle school I’d have a roast beef sandwich plain on a roll for lunch. That probably got me on a watch list but that bread was good enough to carry the sandwich for me. I have since graduated to condiments and I want to take the time here to acknowledge the 5 sandwiches that have shaped me, both figuratively and literally.

I’m going to share my podium of Sandwiches. Now I’ve put down a lot of bread in my day so there may be some nominees that don’t make the cut but I’m going to try my best here.

First off the Gold Medal for me, and the best sandwich you can put together for me is a Neopolitan Sub. Traditionally this sandwich is Chicken Cutlets, Fresh Mozzerella, Roasted Red Peppers, Prosciutto, Oil and Vinegar, with just a little mayo to keep it moist. This is my fastball when I go to a spot that I feel has potential. You have to know what you’re working with when you walk into the deli. Sometimes there is just a vibe that they aren’t going to have good Cutlets. If you see a microwave, get the turkey, because that cutlet is going to be a chicken finger and ruin your day.

My favorite spot in Mass for this sandwich is Borelli’s in Methuen, and the absolutely beautiful one you see in photo one is from Bianco Catering in Peabody, which sadly no longer offers lunchtime sandwiches, just catering. It’s the best Sandwich I’ve ever had, and I was shouting it from the rooftops to everyone I know when Vinny was slinging these bad boys. I think about it weekly.

The Silver Medal for me is the North Shore Beef. I’ve changed allegiances multiple times, with Atha’s, Bellas, Londi’s, Modern Butcher taking top billing. For a long time Atha’s was king for me, particularly during the Covid Era where I could zip over there in 10 and walk in, not have to say a word to anybody and just grab this beauty and devour when I got home. The kind of action they were dealing up in 2020 was the stuff you write books about. I’m not sure what happened but the beefs turned into the latter half of your favorite NFL receiver’s career. They still had some TD’s but the explosiveness was just no longer there. It’s sad but it happens to all the greats.

My current king is Londi’s in North Andover, followed closely by the newly re-opened Londi’s in Peabody. Ted Londi knows the deal and he resurrected the Merrimack Valley beef scene when Londi’s came to North Andover. Bella’s is great as well but maybe a touch too rare for my tastes. This competitor below takes the cake. You just can’t beat a 10/10 beef like this one.

The Bronze Medal is awarded to the Taylor Ham/Bacon Egg and Cheese. They share a spot on the podium because for me its a spur of the moment decision which way I go. I’d like to start by raising the concern to the bagel crisis in New England. There are ZERO good bagels up here. I’ve heard all the recommendations, Bagel World, Perfectos, Sunrise, and on and on. There’s no bagel that touches the floor of Bagels that resides in the tri-state area. The real tragedy is the egg sandwich preparation. If you go to any area bagel store and get a Bacon, egg, and cheese you are getting microwaved bacon and eggs. It’s a travesty. You go to New York or New Jersey and there is a man fighting for his life in front of a scalding hot griddle making eggs with a tower of bacon hanging off the side of the grill. This is America. This is what our founding fathers fought for, and frankly, I’m ashamed to call myself a Massachusettite because of this failure. Step your shit up.

Now I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my current Sandwich Holy Grail, but I had to exclude it from the podium because it’s not readily available to me. I have family in New Jersey, and these trips are always great to see family, but I have to get a heater of a sandwich when I’m in town. The Hot Spots change from time to time, but my current Starting Pitcher is the Pedro Martinez of Delis, and I guess I have to tip my cap and say Chicken Cutlets are my Daddy.

I stumbled upon Sparo’s in Ramsey, NJ. They had another location before opening, and my mother and I went in and I was skeptical. It’s the cleanest deli I’ve been to in New Jersey. Almost like a brand new Krispy Kreme, lots of bright tile and an overwhelming cursive menu. But the cutlets will guide us home. I got the “Kiki Girl” which is Chicken Cutlets, Pesto, long hot peppers, provolone, a dash of mayonnaise and OV. I had one on Saturday and took my brother on our way home on Sunday. I brought my wife there on the next trip and tried to force my father to go when he was in town. I’m planning my drive to the Beach for the fourth around this sandwich. It’s salty, it’s spicy, it’s wet, its just the best sandwich in the game right now. I’d only trust it to Cutlets so thin you can play poker with them, and Sparo’s has them in spades.

As my Grandfather Al, and my hero once said, Get the Sandwich, Get the Chips, Get the soda. But let me add my piece, Google the deli. Walk in. Confirm the cutlets are thin and crispy. Order the Sandwich and live your life.

Life’s too short for Salads.

Til Next week

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