Kenny & Zukes SandwichWorks could be considered the step child (notice we didn’t say “ugly step child”) to Kenny & Zukes Delicatessen located on SW Stark. The Delicatessen has a more robust menu and features their incredible homemade pastrami. But we’re not going to talk about that (at least not in this review). Instead we’re going to talk about their Sandwichworks location, which serves some of the best sandwiches you’ll find in Portland. Located just west of NW 23rd on NW Thurman in a pretty cool and hip storefront, the SandwichWorks should not be missed.

The SandwichWorks doesn’t seem to have a website yet, but you can visit their Delicatessen site at http://www.kennyandzukes.com.

2376 NW Thurman Street
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 954-1737
Kenny and Zukes Website

I got the large Meatball Hero. Homemade Italian meatballs with marinara sauce and melted cheese on a hoagie. First of all it’s messy! Very messy! The meatballs are wonderful and the marinara is fantastic. The hoagie is not of the soft hoagie variety that I find perfect for meatball sandwiches, but rather the harder stuff that projects the meatballs out of the sandwich as if they’re trying to escape from every bite. So I found myself eating this sandwich with a fork and using the hoagie as more of a edible plate. This would have really bothered me if the meatballs weren’t so dang good.

I think next time I’d order a half a sandwich; the large was pretty filling. All in all this is a sandwich worth ordering if you’re a meatball sub fan – as I am – and it would be hard to find a better meatball in town.

4.5 out of 5 tomatoes

The Italian Grinder is a sandwich that hits home for me. I used to love Italian subs back in Massachusetts where I’m from. This one is only the second I’ve had here that I can compare to those of the “<Insert Town Name> House of Pizza’s” that dot each town back East, and the other one can’t be had as the place has closed.

It contains all the required Italian meats that are required of this sub – salami, soppresata, Coppa, Mortadella. It has my favorite cheese – provolone – as well. What sets this sandwich apart from other Italian grinders is their use of balsamic vinegar. It adds a background flavor that isn’t too pushy, but manages to take the sandwich to the next level. The pepperoncinis also add a little heat that helps make this sandwich sing (at least I thought I heard something).

4.5 out of 5 tomatoes

Chicago Italian Beef.  Where do I start?!  This sandwich is like nothing I’ve ever had.  As I was eating it, actually, as I was ordering it, I was thinking “Am I really going to like a sandwich where the bread is dipped in Garlicky Gravy?  Won’t it be soggy?!”  Well, anytime you dip bread in a liquid it IS going to be soggy.  But this is gravy, not water, and it was amazing. 

The other thing it had going for it was the crusty bread, rustic hoagie that it was made on.  Although the inside was quite soft, absorbing the gravy like a sponge, the outside remained somewhat structured allowing me to pick it up and eat it.  Picking it up was not an easy feat though.  You will get messy and you will eat much of this sandwich with a fork.

Tender slices of beef covered in finely chopped Giardiniera and house-made pickled hot peppers this sandwich had so many flavors in it yet they all came together like a perfectly orchestrated synchronized skydive.

If you are adventurous you have to try this sandwich.  I give it a 4.5 out of 5!

Super Torta Puebla sandwich!  Como?!  Well here it is:  Super means “highest quality” or “to an extreme degree”, Torta is a Mexican sandwich served on an oblong crusty roll, and Puebla is a Mexican city officially known as Heroic Puebla de Zaragoza (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puebla_(Puebla) ).  So it’s an Extremely Heroic Mexican Sandwich.
 
After doing the research on the meaning of the name of this sandwich I have to say that I know why they named it what they did.  One of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had in terms of flavor.  Of course everyone’s tastebuds are different but mine said WOW!  From the black bean spread, chipotle salsa, avocado, and chorizo…I’m mean seriously, this sandwich is packed with flavor. 

I can only say one negative thing about it and it really isn’t a bad thing, but you should be aware of, and that’s that it comes on a rustic crusty roll and when you bite down on it most of the yummy ingredients will want leave the sandwich.  Spew out the sides.  So I suggest before you bite in that you securely squeeze down on both sides of the Sammy while simultaneously pinching the back of it too.  If you do this there is only one way for the goods to go, into your mouth.

This sandwich is a strong 4.5 out of 5.  If I could give it a 4.8 I would…I guess I could…okay, it’s a 4.8 out of 5.  Go forth and eat thy Super Torta Puebla!

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