Let's Go Someplace For Sandwiches
- LB908
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
By Kathleen Mest
Photos by Izzy Juarez
Just in time for laid-back picnics while enjoying concerts, movies, and other summer activities in the park and beach, these sandwiches were picked for their yum factor and ordering ease; they are perfect to take with you (or dine-in).
Thunderbolt Pizza
4085 Atlantic Ave, 90807
With only three sandwiches on their menu, Thunderbolt Pizza is not a sandwich place, but it’s home to one of the best sandwiches in Long Beach. Order at the counter and grab a seat inside or outside. They also have some great lunch specials. Hint: You can also enjoy Thunderbolt’s food next door at Ambitious Ales. Sit down at one of their picnic tables (with a brew in hand), order online, and food will magically get delivered to you.
Sandwich: The Italian Sub is made with house-made pizza dough baked in their pizza oven; it’s lightly charred and perfect. The sandwich is substantial (I always share with my husband), with soppressata, capocollo, and mortadella meats; romaine, red onion, provolone, pepperoncini and peppadew peppers; all to create a deliciously balanced and textured sandwich that is highly craveable. Note: Only available at lunch. Plan accordingly.
Olives Gourmet Grocer
3510 E. Broadway, 90803
22 years old and family-owned, Olives is the perfect little neighborhood market. With 39 hot and cold sandwiches on their menu plus daily sandwich specials, you are going to find a favorite. The small space is a flurry of activity and runs like a well-oiled machine. Order your sandwich at the counter, then grab your drink, chips or a side from the deli case, and a slice of cake (or another sweet treat), head to the cashier to pay and wait for your wrapped sandwich. Perfect for a picnic or sit in their 20-seat parklet. Hint: Beat the lunch rush by ordering on their app or call ahead. They also have catering platters and boxed lunches available.
Sandwiches: #8 Spicy Steve is their best seller with 3 spicy meats, house-made parmesan spread, provolone, goat horn peppers, and house-made focaccia; delicious with a kick, the spread is the star. #51 Veggie “A” is their best selling vegetarian sandwich with fresh mozzarella, avocado spread, veggies, and pesto aioli. All the spreads and aiolis are made in-house and definitely elevate their sandwiches.
MVP’s Grill
5484 E. Stearns St, 90815 | 2742 E. 4th St, 90814 | 937 Redondo Ave, 90804
Independently-owned with each of the three locations having their own stamp on the franchise, my family and I grabbed a few sandwiches off the large sport-themed menu with 20 sandwiches plus specials at the Stearns location. This spot is a walk-up window with lots of outside seating. Locally famous for their burgers, MVP’s is great for consistent, fresh, and tasty food with large portions.
Sandwiches: Mary Lou Retton is a grilled sourdough sandwich with ample slices of turkey, ortega chili, swiss, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and cajunaise. Jimmy Fox is a Philly steak with a generous portion of thinly sliced beef, red onions, green peppers, and cheese on a sub roll. Both sandwiches are served with pickled carrots and pickles. Fries are ordered in Half (good for 2-4) and Full (good for a small team!), and get the Cajun seasoning. Extra: You can get free refills on Orange Bang, my guilty pleasure.
Lazy Dough
975 E. 4th St, 90802
Celebrating their one year anniversary in June, Lazy Dough is a welcoming, friendly, open space with ample seating inside and outside; and they are everything but lazy. They make almost everything in-house: sauces and spreads made from scratch, pastries and breads baked fresh daily, drink syrups and cold foams housemade. It’s a family run business (you might even catch their kids helping when not at school) and the chefs have brought creativity and intentionality to their menu. Chef Megan shares, “I layer the flavors in the sandwiches so that every bite is hitting your palate in a specific way. Every bite has all the flavors. Every bite feels complete.”
Sandwiches: BLT Everything Ciabatta has lemon maple candied bacon, caramelized onion, generous slices of avocado, housemade garlic & chive cream cheese, on rosemary ciabatta; the hints of lemon are delightful. Beef Bulgogi Ciabatta has thinly sliced beef bulgogi, pepperjack, sunny egg, spicy mayo, on rosemary ciabatta; sweet with a slight spicy kick. And the popular Prosciutto Croisandwich with prosciutto, thai basil pesto, avocado, housemade garlic & chive cream cheese, sunny egg, served on flaky croissant; decadent. Extra: Try the garlic bun and any of their drinks. SO GOOD.
Angelo’s Italian Deli
190 La Verne Ave, 90803 (562) 434-1977
The perfect place to grab a sandwich for the beach; Angelo’s is just a short walk from the sand. The deli is a wonderful, small Italian market with shelves of wines, pastas, fresh sauces, meats, cheeses, olives, condiments and spices; everything you need to make an Italian meal. Inside, there are three large community tables for dine-in and their back space should be ready by this summer for additional seating and to get a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen activity.
Sandwiches: Their most popular sandwiches are the Torpido with three meats and the Calabrese with spicy salame. My friend and I were in the mood for an Eggplant Parmigiana, warm and saucy; and a Caprese with thick cut tomatoes and mozzarella (ask for an extra side of garlic spread); both delicious and served in fresh baked rustic bread.
Anna’s Joint
449 Pine Ave, 90802
Half neighborhood pub and half neighborhood market and coffee bar, Anna’s Joint has it all, and I’m only mad that I can’t walk here. On the market side, you can order coffee and sandwiches from the counter – dine-in (a few inside tables) or take-out. The fridge and shelves are stocked with local & independent beers, snacks, wines, ciders, and booze-free beverages. The pub side has a great laid-back, chill vibe with indoor seating, barstools, and a good sized outdoor patio. While waiting for your food, you can play some table shuffleboard. Lunch specials on weekdays and nightly activities like karaoke and trivia will keep you coming back.
Sandwiches: All the sandwiches are served on bread from local Hey Brother Baker, so you already know this is going to be good. The Pine & 5th is tender flank steak, tomato, arugula, onion-jam, garlic aioli, and mustard on baguette; delicious, my daughter’s favorite. The 5th Ave. Chick is roasted chicken, bacon, sharp cheddar, pesto, romaine, tomato, onion-jam, garlic aioli on ciabatta; perfectly balanced flavors, soooo good. Extra: Order some “Munchies” like Salt & Vinegar Tater Tots or Honey Sriracha Brussel Sprouts.
La ‘Croque
371 Redondo Ave, 90814
Look for the sign with a green ‘croque! The shop is small, cute and cozy with a streamlined nine sandwich menu, and I absolutely recommend you don’t miss it. With four tables, most take their sandwiches to-go, with a homemade side and a freshly baked cookie or pastry for the drive.
Sandwiches: We tried the French Style Ficelle with prosciutto, French butter, French brie, housemade marmalade served on the (longest and skinniest) housemade baguette baked with cherries, walnuts, and orange peel. It’s creamy, salty, sweet with added complexity from the baguette. Oui, s’il vous plaît! Also delicious was the refreshing Turkey Waldorf with a large portion of salad including shredded turkey breast, sweet grapes, CA walnuts, and crunchy celery served on a flaky, buttery croissant. A customer favorite is the Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon with housemade chive smear and arugula served on a jalapeño cheddar bagel.
Dilly’s Sandwiches
4144 N. Viking Way, 90808
A cowboy pickle, a hobo pickle, a pickle riding a unicycle… just a few of the pickles on the Dave Van Patten mural lining Dilly’s walls. And on the menu, there are pickle packs of 4 varieties and even a PB & Pickle sandwich! Essentially, Dilly’s is a family-friendly pub with ample seating, TVs, games, and… great sandwiches. The taps are stocked with local beers, small brewery brews, and highly allocated special release beers that can be changed multiple times in a week. As soon as a keg is emptied, a new one from a different brewery takes its place.
Sandwiches: The best seller by far, is the Turkey. Owner Brein disclosed, “We sell triple the amount of Turkey than other sandwiches.” A very thick sandwich with an abundance of smoked turkey, avocado, pepperoncini, crisp lettuce, dilly spread (mayo/honey mustard) served on sweet brown bread. We also tried the infamous PB & Pickle. “I was raised on this sandwich,” Brein shared. It’s crunchy peanut butter and thick-cut bread & butter pickles on Pullman bread. From my husband, “Unbelievable,” and now he craves it. The acid from the pickle breaks through the peanut butter. Crazily, the flavors blend together well, sweet and refreshing.
Oh La Vache
2112 E. 4th St, 90814
The perfect sandwiches to take to concerts in the park (or to Everywhere taproom down the street), Oh La Vache’s creations are wrapped and ready-to-go. First and foremost, Oh La Vache is a cheese shop. The cases are filled with 95+ local & international artisan cheeses (you can ask for samples) and cured meats. The shelves are filled with crackers, treats, spreads, tin fish, and fresh bread from local Hey Brother Baker; everything you need to make-your-own gift basket or charcuterie board, or ask them to make one for you!
Sandwiches: Sandos of the Day are pre-made, change daily, and are always thick, hearty masterpieces. Call or check IG @ohlavachelb to find out what they’re serving. All the sandwiches are served on Hey Brother Baker bread, an excellent foundation, with homemade spreads, high quality condiments, premium meats and fancy cheeses from the shop. Sandwiches are limited and only available until they run out. Hint: You can call ahead to reserve a sandwich!
Comments