Fancy lunches are fabulous, but sometimes all you crave is a really good sandwich. Here are two great newish additions to the South Bay’s already-stellar sandwich scene.
Earl of Sandwich, San Jose
This bright little sandwich shop is situated on the ground floor of downtown San Jose’s One Market South residential tower (aka The Blue Building) and is the East Coast chain’s first Northern California location. It’s super casual — order at the counter from a list of 11 hot sandwiches on soft, artisan wheat or white, five hand-crafted wraps, six tossed salads and a few soups — and fetch it when your pager buzzes. Most menu items are $7.49-$7.99.
Service was friendly on our visit, with counter staff taking time to educate several newbies, not just us, about the Earl. Turns out the founder is a descendant of the fourth Earl himself, and you’ll see his face emblazoned on the bagged chips and wrapped desserts. Our two favorite sandwiches were the Chipotle Chicken Avocado, made with chunks of still-warm grilled chicken breast, crisp bacon, real avocado slabs, green leaf lettuce and melted cheddar with spicy chipotle sauce, and the Original 1762, the chain’s signature hot sammie, made with ribbons of roast beef, melted cheddar and kicky horseradish sauce.
Don’t leave without one of the house-baked specialty desserts. Oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies are displayed on the counter, but there are other specialty or limited-release desserts tucked under the register, including a thick and moist brownie made with Ghiradelli chocolate and giant cookie studded with chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups. You won’t regret it.
Details: Open 10 a.m. daily at One South Market St., San Jose; www.earlofsandwichusa.com
Mendocino Farms, Campbell
This SoCal-based fast-casual chain is feel-good gourmet, from the local, organic ingredients to the cheery farmhouse decor. Depending on time of day and how busy it is, you order at the counter or via tablet with the help of a staffer.
The seasonal, chef-driven menu features salads ($10.25-$14.35), sandwiches ($10.45-$12.95) a vegan section with items like a banh mi ($10.65) made with non-GMO baked Hodo tofu and a veggie burger featuring “rescued” vegetable pulp from Pressed Juicery. There are also impressive deli salads, house-made soups, craft beer, and local wine all available for sampling.
The “Not So Fried” Mary’s Chicken ($11.45) satisfies fried-chicken cravings without the calorie cringe. It’s a sandwich of shaved, roasted Mary’s free range chicken breast with Mendo krispies or buttermilk-battered fried polenta, plus herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw and pickled red onion. A Sandwich Study of Heat ($11.25) was a kicky version of a typical club: Panini-pressed shaved, roasted turkey breast with smoked gouda, smashed avocado, chile aioli and jalapeño relish.
If you’re a pastrami fan, for the love of everything spice rub, try the winter offering before it’s gone. The dark rye sandwich features thick slabs of 12-hour pecan-wood smoked pastrami ($12.95) with a deliciously creamy apple slaw. All in all, a pleasant spot to eat high-quality sandwiches.
Details: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily inside The Pruneyard at 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 440, Campbell. Also in San Mateo and San Jose’s Santana Row. http://mendocinofarms.com
