The Best Damn Sandwich: The Souper Sweet Sandwich ShoppeDate: 12/12/2018 SPRINGFIELD – It’s an observation that the least pretentious a restaurant looks, the better the food will be.
From the street, the Souper Sweet Sandwich Shop looks like any other small neighborhood eatery, but the aromas inside and the food itself is amazing.
My Focus Springfield producer Stephen Cary and I decided to try out two of the sandwiches offered by the shop, and we were knocked out by the originality and the quality.
Creativity is certainly a major part of the culinary philosophy at the shop. Take a look at the list of signature sandwiches and you’ll see ones with names such as “Smokey the Bear:” smoked brisket meatloaf, house made chipolte bbq sauce, pick of the season Poblano corn relish and sharp cheddar cheese; “The Beacon:” spicy chicken, roasted garlic-tomato Aioli, caramelized onion, cheddar cheese & arugula; and “The New Englander:” Maple brined breast of turkey, house made cranberry relish, caramelized apples, sharp cheddar cheese & arugula.
Creative names do not a great sandwich make, as I’ve seen in other restaurants over the years. I looked at the ingredients and two sandwiches stuck out: “Junior’s Absolute Favorite” and “The Devil Made Me Do it.”
“Junior’s” looked deceptively easy with two ingredients: barbeque pulled pork and macaroni and cheese. Steve said that putting mac and cheese in anything is a good move.
“The Devil” is a variation of the classic egg salad sandwich. I know that egg salad may not be a universal favorite. It is definitely a sandwich of the 1960s and it’s something I had a lot of when growing up.
I have a real fondness for good egg salad and this version was definitely one for the 21st century: apple wood bacon, chunky egg salad, kicked up bread, butter pickles and American cheese.
This combination proved to be amazing. The traditional egg and mayonnaise combination gets boosted with the addition of the salt from the bacon and the sweet tang of the pickles.
Served on a high quality white bread, the sandwich is grilled as well.
“Junior’s” was also extremely good with the cheese flavor of the mac and cheese being a perfect compliment to the pulled pork.
Both sandwiches were hearty and fulfilling experiences. Although a tangent to the purpose of this ongoing series I couldn’t resist adding a huge chocolate cookie to my order – year it was very good – and a locally made Harmony Springs soda.
Souper Sweet Sandwich Shop is located at 929 Belmont Ave. and is online at www.soupersweetsandwichshop.com.
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