Seeking the OC’s Best Sandwich

Published on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, by C. Thi Nguyen / Edit Post

Want the best sandwich in Orange County? Many hounds get behind Harry's Deli. "He makes everything himself, down to the mustard and mayonnaise," says Das Ubergeek. All the sandwiches are good. If pressed, Das Ubergeek would pick the sometimes-available steak sandwich, or the meatball—but honestly, every single sandwich is great. Also worthy: chili, a nice mix of beans and meat. "Harry's is a little expensive but justified by the ingredients and care taken in the sandwich," says js76wisco.

For a less traditional take, try Nana Jean's. There's an excellent veggie grilled cheese sandwich, with Brie, cheddar, oven-dried tomatoes, and cranberry-Dijon. If that sounds too girly and trendy for you, try the meatloaf sandwich, says Joani Macaroni, and ocshooter agrees: meatloaf, bacon, and cheese—one of the best sandwiches around. This is a family place with really good comfort food with a trendy twist, says Joani Macaroni.

Harry's Deli [Orange County]
17881 Sky Park Circle, Irvine
949-261-2116

Nana Jean's [Orange County]
313 El Camino Real, Tustin
714-486-2528

Discuss: Best Sandwich in Orange County?

ALLLos Angeles Digest
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  • You'll notice that I did not include any hot dogs in my previous post. That's because, to me, it's a whole separate category, separate from sandwiches.

  • I really couldn't choose a 'favorite' sandwich. It all depends on what I'm craving. Tomorrow, I'm going to Tommy Pastrami for lunch. It's been awhile and I need a pastrami on his fresh-baked, crusty rye.

    There are three places I'll go for a cheesesteak. Franks Philadelphia on Fairview in Costa Mesa is my old standby favorite. Not "authentic" Philadelphia, but a great sandwich with generous...+READ

    I really couldn't choose a 'favorite' sandwich. It all depends on what I'm craving. Tomorrow, I'm going to Tommy Pastrami for lunch. It's been awhile and I need a pastrami on his fresh-baked, crusty rye.

    There are three places I'll go for a cheesesteak. Franks Philadelphia on Fairview in Costa Mesa is my old standby favorite. Not "authentic" Philadelphia, but a great sandwich with generous amounts of meat on a nice chunk of baguette. Their fries are fresh cut and malt vinegar is available. Second favorite is Jersey Mikes in Huntington Beach (Adams Ave.). By carefully instructing the, mostly young, staff, the sandwich you get will be satisfying. The premises baked roll is highly reminiscent of Amorosos. As an added fillip, they have hot cherry pepper relish that adds to the sandwich's authenticity. A little more expensive and a little less meat than Frank's. Third choice is Philly's Best. The ingredients are authentic and the "home" store preparation (Brookhurst, south of the 405)is spot on. You can get a good cheesesteak here, but I've seen other locations close after an all to brief run. My feelings are that the staff were insufficiently trained in what a cheesesteak is all about. Their newest store (MacArthur/Fairview in Santa Ana)is, in my opinion, doing OK preparation-wise. I find them to be the most expensive.

    I like the Italian Beef at the new stand in the PEP Boys parking lot on Beach Boulevard, north of the 405. I've only been once, but the sandwich was good. They didn't have either pepper or vinegar for the nicely done fries. They are supposedly opening a second location in Newport Beach.

    To find a meatball sandwich that is worthy is a difficult task. So far, the best I've enjoyed has been from Finbars (two locations). Bring help for this plateful of meatballs on fresh-baked bread.

    There are any number of great Bahn Mi places (of which my wife is not fond, so I don't get there very often).

    One of my favorite sandwiches is my own, made at home, either as a pannini (Trader Joe's panne tuscana, Thuman's black pepper ham, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes and my eggplant relish). It's hard to get all that in a pannini, but on a piece of baguette, it's exquisites.-COLLAPSE