Sandwich Express

Elite '08

41

44

Brian B.

Boston, MA

Do you like Pastrami?  I don't.  I want to marry it.

This is a top choice for where I would hold the wedding.  There is no better grinder or sandwich south of Washington Street in Downtown Crossing / Financial District.  None.  Period.  This is as close to a Jewish Deli as I've found down here among the Suits.

I literally stumbled across this place on my way to a much busier and less tasty sandwich joint.  You would, too.  It's a hole in the wall.  But once inside, you see it - the DELI, where all the smoked and cured meat magic happens.  I usually start hallucinating and salivating around this time.

They have all of the classics - Reuben, Rachel, Rebbecca, Italian, Meatball, etc.  And, they're ALL good, very good.  The meats are always fresh and always top-notch.  I have run over old ladies and harmless children to get in line for what I think is their simplest and bestest creation - Hot Pastrami, Spicy Mustard, and Onions.    Watch it.  I'll run you over, too.  I don't care.  That pastrami means more to me than your well-being.  I don't even know you.

Don't shy away because this place's name doesn't have an affected name like Sebastian's or Rebecca's or a foreign name like Viga, Boloco, or Cosi.  Damn it, sometimes simpler is better.  They pay homage to this in their literal name and the food.  You simply don't need all that fancy crap on a sandwich here because the ingredients are soo damn fresh and good and plentiful.

This is what lunch food is supposed to be about - food that comforts, relaxes, and satisfies.  Nothing like a fancy shmancy, nervous olive spread on an uptight panini with exotic, condescending mushrooms and bizarre, pedantic lettuce.  That stuff makes me anxious.  My job makes me anxious enough - I don't need my lunch to add to it....

Oh, I left one star off because the pickles here are not that good.  I've registered this complaint, and expect changes soon.  The pickles are a little too briny and not crisp.  Okay, sorry, I love pickles.
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SUPER PICKLE UPDATE - 10.24.07
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The pickle.  Oh, the pickle.  It's back in all it's garlicky, salty, crisp glory here.  The owners have stepped it up a notch and improved their pickles.  Up goes that last star....

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Elite '08

15

99

Todd K.

Boston, MA

I too work around the corner from this place, and decided one day to try it out.  It has since become part of my weekly lunch routine.  I usually go with their chef's salad or a cold cut sandwich.  I have tried the pastrami, and it's okay, but not nearly as good as Sam Lagrassa's a few blocks over.  But the express roast beef is excellent, (in my opinion the best around here) as are many of their sandwiches.

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Elite '08

155

48

Russ S.

Somerville, MA

If I didn't work three feet from this place, I never would have gone inside. Actually, I worked where I do for two years before going in there, and only went in because the Sox had won the world series and this lady at work who is balls-out-nuts for the Sox bought us all breakfast sandwiches. And she sent me to Sandwich Express.

Ok, so I gave the place four stars. And that means that those Red Sox curse-breaking breakfast sandwiches were the BOMB, yo. They cook egg and meat together on a skillet, throw some cheese in on the end, and toss it on a bagel (if that's what you ordered) and cut it in half. and its sooo good in that morning deli bagel kind of way. For a guy used to a more.... mass produced breakfast sandwich, it is a very welcome deviation.

So one day I was like "Hey they have subs on the menu". The most expensive thing on the menu is a veal parm sub, its 6.15. The rest of the subs are between 4.70 and 6 bucks, depending on size. They use all Boar's Head meats, and the subs are pretty simplistic. I got this sub that had roast beef, cole slaw, russian dressing and swiss, and they put so much friggin' roast beef into this thing, it was awesome. For six bucks you get a sub full of amazing meat and ingredients that you could span out over two lunches. And that's kind of hard to come by in the Financial District.

So that's that. You can sit down and eat there, but I probably wouldn't. There's a line sometimes but it moves fast, the people working the counter are very friendly, and the clientele is a weird mix of Contractor Guy and Financial Guy.

That's really all there is to it. It's so simple I couldn't even work a funny angle into the review. Four stars, bro.

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Elite '08

17

111

Annette A.

Brighton, MA

Along with Russ before me, I'd have never gone in if it wasn't a 2 minute walk from my job.

I ordered a "Big Wess" wrap, basically a Turkey BLT. Now, when you think of a wrap, you think lite, watching your diet, maybe even a little snack. Now this thing was HUGE! It was this big wrap you had to hold with two hands. Definitely a belly-filler! And for $5.70? Beats Quizno's.

They didn't skimp on the turkey, and the turkey was fresh and great since they cut their meats up right there. Generous on veggies and everything else.

I think the only thing holding me back from 5 stars is they could have been more social. The service was very quiet, cold, and strictly-business.

Gooooood good place here though. Kicks Subway's arse all over the sidewalk and you'll leave feeling good.

*Edit: Lowered a star because their heated meat sandwiches are kinda crappy. Meatball, meatloaf, and buffalo chicken sandwiches were all kind of wet and soggy.

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0

5

Chrstina A.

Braintree, MA

The best wraps and sandwiches I have evre tasted friendly staff beats Quinzonis anytime

A must see

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