Between the Bread

On the Phone: Sandwich Lunch Date

nancyeinhart — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:45:04 PDT

For Andrew and me, getting to babysit our niece on a Saturday means Estela's sandwiches - a very special occasion now that we no longer live next door. This time, we both tried something new: ham and brie for me (much better after I popped it in the oven) and roast beef with horseradish and smoked gouda for Andrew. Don't they make a good couple?

On the Phone: Big Eats at Estela's

nancyeinhart — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:06:43 PST

Oh how I miss living right next door to Estela's. Now my giant veggie sandwiches are few and far between. Thankfully I got my fix for lunch on Saturday. Andrew got pastrami, which was better after he warmed it in the oven.

I got the smoked gouda veggie sandwich. They gave me the wrong bread; I wanted sliced wheat. But this roll, despite being enormous, was a fresh and fine substitute. As usual, the filling was a rainbow of perfectly ripe produce. Yum.

nancyeinhart — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:43:09 PDT

'Wich of the Week: Turkey-Parm Focaccia

Another delicious result of my recent trip to Estela's Fresh Sandwiches, one of my favorite sandwich destinations in SF. Though I normally shy away from sandwiches served on focaccia, this bread was perfect: pillowy soft and flavorful but not at all oily. What I really loved, however, was the giant mound of shredded parmesan, which gave the sandwich a sharp, cheesy crunch.

Estela's No. 32: A Big Salad Between the Bread

nancyeinhart — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:02:20 PDT

I often avoid meat sandwiches at Estela's for two reasons. One, because the sandwiches are so delicious, I always finish them even if I feel grossly full, and the meatless ones are less filling. But mostly because the veggies are just too fresh and wonderful to pass up. I usually order No. 24, the carrot, which comes with shredded carrot, dill havarti, and avocado. But last time, I got the more decadent No. 32, with the same mix of veggies but sundried tomato pesto (that orangey red spread on the bottom), cheddar, and smoked gouda. There was enough cheese on there for two more sandwiches. And yes, I ate it all.

Estela's: No Gimmick, Just Great

nancyeinhart — Sat, 09 May 2009 22:51:05 PDT

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. Check out some of my favorite menu items.