The Sandwich: Yankee Pot Roast
Where: Glen’s Garden Market, 1942 8th St. NW
Price: $10
Bread: White sandwich roll
Stuffings: Cider-braised beef, roasted onions, roasted carrots, apple slaw, cheddar cheese
Thickness: 3.5 inches
Pros: Roasted veggies give this sandwich an extra dose of flavor without sloppy and unnecessary condiments: The carrots are so soft and sweet, they’re almost like jam. The cabbage in the slaw gives the sandwich some necessary crunch and a bit of sourness that cuts through four thick slices of beef.
Cons: While most pot roasts highlight slowly cooked, tender meat, the beef in this sandwich feels dry. Little cider flavor has infiltrated the meat, so you’re left chewing on tough, tasteless slices of beef. Meanwhile, the apples in the slaw have gone mealy and don’t mix well with the crisp cabbage.
Sloppiness level (1 to 5): 2. The absence of sauces prevents this sandwich from becoming too messy, and the melted cheese keeps the beef in place. Some of the slaw might fall out of the bun as you bite, but just stick it back inside the bun and keep on chewing.
Overall score (1 to 5): 3. The well-prepared vegetables keep this sandwich from being a complete mess. In concept, turning a home favorite into a portable lunch option sounds great, but the dryness will make you yearn for grandma’s version.
Photo by Caroline Jones