Food Cart Friday #1: Addy’s Sandwich Bar

Five intrepid BNJ Creatives kicked off Food Cart Friday at Addy’s Sandwich Bar (SW 10th and Alder). We waited about 15-20 mins. for our food, but we were happy to bask in the glorious spring sunshine after a week of cold grey damp!

Back in the office, we chowed down…

Dan: Roast beef w/gorgonzola, celery, red onions and sunflower seeds

Initial impression: The box was a little light, which made me worry it wouldn’t be enough. Nice big chunks of gorgonzola. My first couple of stabs at it, I had to ask myself, “Is there dressing?” (There was a light vinaigrette.) It grew on me, and in the end it was enough. Not sure I’d get it again, but it was good. Was tainted by last bite being too oniony.

Rating: Three toothpicks

Julie: Chicken pesto salad w/currants, pumpkin seeds and cucumber

Unlike Dan’s initial reaction, I felt the physical weight of my salad was quite nice. However, we prove once again that quantity does not trump quality. Not impressed with the flavor; it was bland for my taste. Bit of a flat pesto. And what’s with the raisins? Tasted odd in this context. I love cucumber, and it was nice and crisp, but the chunks were too large to eat conveniently and politely. I’d go back to the cart, but wouldn’t do the salad again. (Oh, those were currants. Still ick.)

Rating: Two toothpicks

Brent: House cured ham + gruyere + butter

Loved it. Bread was crispy but not too hard; it had a good bite. The sandwich held together nicely; very well-constructed. Liked the meat-to-bread ratio. Butter was a nice additon, added a welcome richness. (My grandma used to put butter on turkey sandwiches and that’s the last time I had butter on a sandwich…Grandma knew what she was doing!)

Rating: Four toothpicks

Colin: Duck confit + cranberry  relish + shredded cabbage

Agree with Brent; bread had good crunch and chew. Makes for a bit of work, but that’s fine. Overall: salty, sweet, delicious, deeply satisfying.

Rating: Three and 3/4 toothpicks

Noël: Sandwich special—roasted portobellos, red miso, red peppers, cilantro and sesame seeds on a baguette

Love this cart, but this was not the best thing I’ve had here. Found the miso paste as a straight condiment a bit much at first, but in the end it really grew on me and became more-ish. Bit like stir-fry on a baguette, which was a little underwhelming, but it was light and felt virtuous.

Rating: Three toothpicks

The “Go, cart!” award goes to…

Good quality meat: “It was hamtastic!” says Brent of the Carlton Farms pork, which was cured and roasted on-site at Addy’s.

The “No, cart!” award goes to…

The currants. Funny-tasting and unexpected (in a bad way) in the chicken salad.

Our assessment and recommended catchphrase:

“Hamtastically delicious!”