At the corner of Haight and Fillmore Streets in San Francisco sits a tiny grass-green sandwich shop called Estela's. The diminuitive family-owned deli and juice bar has no schtick and no real specialty, yet it remains one of my favorite sandwich stops in the city.
It proves that sometimes, a simple, well-executed sandwich made with fresh, flavor-packed ingredients can be more satisfying than any high concept or overindulgent competition. Estela's ingredients are mostly familiar: better-than-average deli meats and cheeses, ripe tomatoes and avocado, plain ol' red leaf lettuce, and thin-sliced red onions. But a few unexpected fixings, including artichoke spread and cranberry mustard, on exceedingly freshed sliced bread and telera rolls set these sammies apart.
When I want to be healthy, I order The Carrot, which is like eating a salad between two slices of thick multigrain bread: tomato, dill havarti cheese, red leaf lettuce, thick-cut cucumber, red onion, shredded carrots, and avocado. I wonder why more veggie sandwiches don't consider carrots.
A more indulgent favorite is the Double: turkey, salami, provolone, swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, and an irrestistible combo of pepperoncini and balsmic vinaigrette. Estela's recommends getting it on a telera roll, a soft yet firm white roll that's perfect for the wet ingredients.
Then there's the Smokey Sherm: smoked turkey, smoked gouda, and barbecue sauce, plus the usual veggies. It's decadent and decadently smoky yet not overthought.
Another one I've always wanted to try but haven't yet is the Virginia baked ham and brie with sweet hot mustard. I'll have to try it and snap a pic.
Latest Comments