Egg Salad Wrap Combo at Big Daddy Sandwiches

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A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@apaulagetics)

Smoked Salmon Smorrebrod at Three Vikings

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Smoked salmon for the second time today. Open-faces sandwich with cucumbers, capers, and dill crema. #yeg #yegfood #edmonton #yegdt #foodphotography

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@apaulagetics) on Aug 16, 2019 at 5:30pm PDT

Pickled Herring Smorrebrod at Three Vikings

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Saturday lunches when I was growing up included things like pickled herring and egg salad, though not at the same time like this incredible smorrebrod with pickled herring and curried egg salad. It’s also really pretty. #yeg #yegfood #yegeats #yegfoodie #edmontonfood #edmontonfoodie #yegdt #yegphotographer

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@apaulagetics) on Dec 21, 2019 at 4:40pm PST

Sandwiches at Donna's Eatery

These were the biggest sandwiches I have ever encountered in Edmonton. Turkey and roast beef, made to order in a combo with pop and fries and onion rings, respectively. Donna’s is way on the west edge of the city but well worth the trip. #yeg #yegfood #yegfoodie #yegeats #sandwiches @donnaseatery

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Aug 2, 2018 at 6:23pm PDT

The Local Omnivore - First Time!

My first visit to @thelocalomnivore - cool place! #yeg #yegeats #nofilter #yegfoodie #localomnivore

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jun 21, 2018 at 2:19pm PDT

Beef Brisket Sliders at The Alibi Pub

Shaved brisket sliders. #yegfood

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Mar 17, 2017 at 7:16pm PDT

I went to the Alibi on St. Patrick's Day because it was both convenient and I wanted to catch a music act playing there. Kudos to The Alibi for supporting local music. Being both a Friday night and St. Paddy's, the place was understandably packed. I got there around 7 and they were already out of a number of food items because, as my server later explained, they did not expect to be so busy. On a Friday night. On St. Patrick's Day. In a bar. Wow. It took a very long time for me to finally get my drink order in, and even longer to find out that what I ordered was not available. I ended up ordering something I really did not want, and I can't tell you if it was good or not because, honestly, I was so hungry by then it didn't matter. It was the beef brisket sliders, which was served on focaccia and covered in shredded lettuce. Lots and lots of lettuce, most of which I pushed away because it dominated the meat, which was sliced and diced and in a mild sauce. That's all I remember. And taking a cab home.

Two Selections from Molly's Eats

Chickpea curry sandwich from @mollys_eats #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Aug 20, 2016 at 1:02pm PDT

While at the Edmonton Blues Festival this past weekend, I enjoyed some food from Molly's Eats for the first time. My first treat was a chickpea curry sandwich with mango and cucumber chutneys. The filling was substantial, vegan, and not too spicy. The mango and cucumber gave a delicious freshness, and it was served between two small pieces of naan. This was definitely a "fork sandwich." It was one of the best food truck offerings I have experienced.

Beef wrap from @mollys_eats #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Aug 21, 2016 at 4:07pm PDT

The next day, I had a wrap with beef, soy sauce, Japanese mayo, and fresh kale. The tortilla was stuffed to the max with the flavourful braised beef. It was filling and messy to eat. Next time, I will ask for a fork!

Roasted Chicken Sandwich at Sandwich and Sons

Roast chicken sandwich #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jul 14, 2016 at 3:08pm PDT

I photographed Latitude 53's Patio party again yesterday evening, and once again went to Sandwich and Sons for an early supper. I tried the roasted chicken sandwich and simply could not get over it. It was like having a roasted chicken dinner in a crispy, fresh baguette. The chicken was cooked and seasoned to perfection, cut into cubes and covered in gravy, while sitting in a nest of cranberry sauce and stuffing. The way the chicken was cut meant that a lot of it was falling out of the bread, so this is definitely a "fork sandwich." And a delicious one at that.

Mushroom Sandwich at Sandwich and Sons

Mushroom sandwich #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jul 7, 2016 at 2:03pm PDT

I went to Sandwich and Sons for supper last Thursday before heading to Latitude 53 to photograph their weekly Patio party. The vegetarian option for the day caught my eye, because it was a mushroom sandwich. Most mushroom sandwiches include the huge top of a portobello. This was a sandwich of toast and buttons - button mushrooms, that is. Sauteed with olive oil and delicious. I needed a fork to catch all of the falling mushrooms, like stars in a dream. Can you tell that I like mushrooms? Really, really like them? Cheese was an option that I skipped, that would probably have held the sandwich together a bit better, but seriously - why add anything to take away from the incredible, natural taste and texture of mushrooms? (This is a rhetorical question.)

Smoked Tofu Sandwich at Block 1912

Smoked tofu sandwich #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Apr 16, 2016 at 1:29pm PDT

A Saturday lunch meeting on Whyte Avenue brought me to Block 1912. I decided to try something from their new sandwich menu. The smoked tofu sandwich was a nice size, on a fresh bun. I loved the smokiness of the tofu, which my companion said resembled liver pate. The dried kale and sprinkling of ramen noodles added crunch and a nutty flavour, while the peanut sauce was rather nondescript. The sandwich was a very interesting combination of flavours and definitely unique.

Smoked Meat Sandwich at Sandwich and Sons

Smoked meat sandwich #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Apr 13, 2016 at 3:26pm PDT

After hearing about the deli-style sandwiches at Sandwich and Sons, and finding out that a new location was open on 104 Street, I had to go taste for myself. I chose the smoked meat from the selection of about a half dozen different sandwiches. The warm, smoked brisket was piled high on rye bread, with grainy mustard (house made and not too hot) and sauerkraut (also house made and not overpowering at all). It was delicious! The sandwich was served with a side of house made potato chips and a pickle (you guessed it - house made. Is anything here NOT house made?). Nice little place, reasonable prices, and huge sandwiches that are incredible creations. I will be back!

Smoked Meat Sandwich at Rose and Crown

Another event at City Hall led me to have supper at The Rose and Crown last week. I had the smoked meat sandwich, upon which I have had my eye for a while. The meat was cold deli from Lester's, and it was good quality - I just wish there was more of it. The slices of dill pickle added a nice touch, and the lightly-toasted rye was great. The hot mustard was not to my taste, and I found it bitter, but I was told you can order regular mustard with it instead.

Smoked Meat Sandwich at Route 99

Route 99 (8820 99 Street) is one of my favourite diners. I usually have breakfast food there, but on a visit over the weekend I decided to have a smoked meat sandwich. A decent amount of warm smoked meat deli was served with mustard (choice of regular or hot) on toasted rye. Simple and satisfying. There was butter on the toast, which I would have held had I known (the mustard was enough to add moisture. I don't like to dilute the flavour of the main filling with too much). Another couple of dollars had me pair the sandwich with fries and coleslaw. I also added gravy - and it was one of the best gravies I have had, with a rich and meaty taste without the greasy texture some have.

Bavarian Turkey Dip at Brewsters

I went out for supper this week with my brother to the Meadowlark location of Brewsters. I tried a menu item I have been eyeing for a while: the Bavarian Turkey Dip. Served on a pretzel bun, thin slices of turkey breast is piled high with tart cranberry sauce and mayo. I held the provolone. The dip part was the turkey gravy to the side. It was one of the best turkey gravies I have ever had: thick and flavourful without being too lumpy or spicy. It also went well with the fries I had to the side.

Sandwich and Salad at Cafe Blackbird

I have been wanting to give Cafe Blackbird another try, and had the opportunity a couple of days ago. I tried the smoked salmon, spinach, and cream cheese sandwich for $9. The sweet, pickled onions added a flavour dimension different than the capers and onions which typically come with smoked salmon. The salmon was fresh and plentiful, and while the baguette from Cobs was delightful, I really missed the dense, chewy sensation of a bagel. The portion just seemed a little light for the price.

On another plate was a salad of spinach, kale, and tomatoes, with a dressing of olive oil and lemon. At $7 for a half size, the portion was quite generous, the kale and spinach filling and crunchy. I would have loved more sliced almonds on top. The dressing gave the salad a fruity after taste which was pleasant. However, the dressing was also loaded with garlic, which became stronger the more I ate. It is a good thing I did not have a hot date afterwards! The flavours of the individual salad components were enough that it did not need such a strong dressing. Lighten up on that a bit and Cafe Blackbird will have one of the best salads in the city.

The Gobbler at Press'd

I grabbed a quick bite last week at the university location of Press'd. I normally order the Bird, which has turkey, sprouts, and avocado (I skip the cream cheese). The Gobbler, I am assuming which is a seasonal special, has turkey, spinach, and cranberry sauce (I also skipped the cream cheese). My verdict? There was too much cranberry sauce, and it dominated the taste. I felt like I was eating a sweet spinach salad at some points where the turkey was thinner. If you love cranberry sauce and spinach you'll like this. Otherwise, I am sticking with the Bird.

Vegging Out: Vegetarian Triple Decker at Friends and Neighbours

I am starting to make Friends and Neighbours (10834 82 Avenue) a regular habit. Last week I tried the vegetarian club sandwich, which is a huge trip decker stacked with soy bacon, grilled tofu, lettuce, tomatoes, with roasted red pepper spread on toast. There appeared to be margarine on the bread as well - I am not sure if this can be held, as I know the buns and bagels are pre-margarined. The sandwich is too big to fit into most people's mouths. The soy bacon really steals the show, while the tofu was rather bland. I chose the house made has browns as my side. This is a very heart sandwich, but I prefer the veggie sandwich I had there on my previous visit, with just soy bacon, avocado, and spinach on a bagel.

Vegging Out: Veggie Sandwich at Friends and Neighbours

I returned to Friends and Neighbours Cafe (10834 82 Avenue) yesterday for another late lunch. This time I tried the veggie sandwich, which included a load of soy bacon, spinach, avocado, and tomatoes with red pepper spread on a toasted whole wheat bagel. The sandwich was not exactly as described: the menu said there was also grilled tofu, and made no mention of the red pepper spread, but the soy bacon was plentiful and the spread worked overall to bring the flavours together. For my side I picked the hash browns, which are really more like home fries. A note to vegans: the bagels and buns used for sandwiches at Friends and Neighbours are pre-buttered (margarine, actually). However, I could not taste it and would not have known about it at all had I not asked. Still, this may be an issue for some of you, so I thought I should mention it.

Light Fare at Zocalo

Zocalo has for years been a treasure in the inner city. Not only is it a home and garden shop selling beautiful plants and housewares, but its espresso bar and desserts make it a destination.

Zocalo has taken its food offerings once step further with the addition of fresh, house-made salads, soups, and sandwiches. There is also a greater variety of desserts.

I had coffee here this afternoon with a colleague and she enjoyed her bagel and lox. It was a good sized portion for only $5 and she ended up taking half of it home for later.

In addition to our coffees, we had the fresh blueberry and pomegranate crisp with vanilla ice cream. We were amongst the first customers to indulge in this treat, which was warm and delicious. The fruity filling was enhanced by the crunchy texture of the pomegranates. Of course, ice cream went so well on the buttery topping. We were both enamoured of this dessert.

Brisket Sandwich at Montana's

Brisket Sandwich, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I owed someone a volunteer appreciation meal, and we headed to the Calgary Trail location of Montana's.

I had a brisket sandwich, which featured either a half or full pound of thinly sliced meat in barbecue sauce, between a light and fluffy bun. I was quite hungry, and my companion wanted to have some also, so I went for the full pound. Wow. It reminded me of some of those sandwiches the hosts dig their faces into on the Food TV Network. The meat was lean and soft, the barbecue sauce was tangy and had a slight kick to it, and if I was not sharing I would never have been able to finish. This is a sandwich for when someone wants some serious meat.