Openface: The Debate Goes On

Are you a sandwich, or aren't you? One of the key features of a "sandwich" is the fact it can be sandwiched (I am sorry, but there just isn't a better word to use) between two slices of bread. The wrap, of course, dances on that fine line but has officially been welcomed into the family. The same can go for the pita pocket, but with less enthusiasm. Both meet the important bench marks, after all.
The open-face however, is a slippery slope. There is bread on the bottom...but not on top. It does have all the familiar fixings...but you need a fork and knife to eat it.

What are your thoughts sandwich nation? Can we officially enter the open-face into the genus of your everyday sandwich? Or will it continue to tease us with such borderline behavior?

Two things

1. Writing that last post made me go out and get a Hostel In The Forest sandwich. They were out of foccacia but it was still incredible, duh.

2. Scanwiches.

The Hostel In The Forest

hos·tel
n.

1. A supervised, inexpensive lodging place for travelers, especially young travelers.

2. An inn; a hotel.

3. A sandwich. Respite for the tongue and for the heart. The smiling whisper of a beautiful, slightly mysterious woman that it doesn't matter where you laid your roots yesterday or tomorrow-- in this moment, you are home and you are loved.

The Hostel In The Forest, invented by Kelly at Java Jo's in Jamaica Plain, achieves a level of perfection that is rarely glimpsed by human eyes, let alone digested by human stomach acids.

In the warm embrace of an onion foccacia, the following weary travelers are at last free to mingle, tell tall tales, teach snippets of their home language to their new friends, or simply tuck in early with their moleskines:

-Veggie burger*
-Hommus
-Pesto
-Avocado
-Cheddar cheese
-Lettuce, tomato, red onion

*The Java Jo's veggie burger is a blog post in and of itself-- rest assured; it's no frozen Boca Burger)

I'm not a poet, not a bard or a singer/songwriter, and it's with sandwiches like these that the confines of my own clumsy words frustrate me so. Were I able, I'd write a sonnet for The Hostel In The Forest, to honor and immortalize it. As it stands, I'll stand down and let the poet-bards Savage Garden pay tribute:

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

The Intellect of the Peanut

My Australian friend (if I can even call him a friend after this) was "baffled", "confused", "confounded" and "fucking mortified" at how much Americans like peanut butter (those quoted words are mine). More specifically, he was baffled at how many things we pair it with. Being an Austrialian, this friend often cited the inferior intellect and disgusting sexual habits of the residents of another island nation. I find it funny when two countries - lets just call them Zaustralia and New Australialand - spend so much time calling each other inbred retards, that they don't even realize that the rest of the world has bought a lock for the toilet and fenced off the stairs. Isolated from the more solid main country of peanut butter appreciators who have advanced in intellect and sandwich capability, these outsiders don't even recognize how far behind they are. I happily leave the savages who are satisfied with plain peanut butter and bread on their islands of boredom.

Sandwiches define the classic American childhood. And that's not even limited to white people. Peanut Butter and Jelly, though created by adults, was raped and conquered by six year olds many generations ago. They own it. Peanut butter and banana is also the illegitimate child of children everywhere. And what Massachusetts raised youngster doesn't go to bed dreaming of the warm, white, gooey goodness of a fluffernutter? The dead one's, that's who. You do have to be alive to enjoy peanut butter, but that's about the only obstacle. On that note, if peanut butter kills you I think it is safe to say you should not eat it since you will never be able to eat it again.

My Favorite Sandwich? So Glad You Asked...

I thought I would start out personal. That way if I spill my guts, you will feel more comfortable spilling yours. So the almighty question: What do I like on my sandwich? Well this answer can vary (depending on the time of day, the place, the weather, the mood, the celestial house in which the moon currently resides) but I do have certain standards on which I can always rely. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Bacon
I certainly will stand up and salute the man or woman (probably a man. C'mon, its meat!) who invented this concept any day. The salty, crunchy, fatty meat-ocity that a couple strips of bacon can add makes a world of difference. Works best on its own or a poultry based foundation.
2. Toasted Bun/Melted Cheese
Grill or toast any bread and cheese combo before stuffing it full of your favorites (or don't stuff it. Hey, no one can say they are above a classic grilled cheese!) and you have created an edible MASTERPIECE. The crispy bread and gooey cheese both clash and compliment each other in a beautiful, complete circle of tastes. Those who have access to, or possess the almighty "Sandwich Maker" or Sandwich press have no excuse to not indulge on a daily basis.
3. Pickles
If you need an explanation this, you probably should not even be involved in the discussion. Bread and butter chips, or kosher dill? Does not matter. And the invention of the "stacker" (flat cut) pickles have opened the door wide open on this one: they fit so conveniently in any position, on any type of sandwich.
4. Mustard; Deli-Style/Spicy
You need a wake-up call, Sallie Mae?! A nice kick in the you-knows-whats?! Then smear on that yellow, spicy condiment from heaven and you have just, to use a cliched, overused and possibly copyrighted phrase: kicked it up notch. Makes an everyday lunch experience into a punk-rock concert on your tongue.

Hooray for Sandwiches!

They are quite possibly the most perfect food: Meat? Yes. Vegetables? Yes. Cheese? Of course! Fruit? Why not?! All stacked in a hearty sleeping bag of grains.
Cold or hot? Whichever you want!
And you can eat it anytime you want: Lunch, dinner or breakfast? That's right! Maybe even as a snack, for the truly bold.
And there is no need for knives, forks or spoons: no clean up necessary if you are wise enough to use a paper plate.
Sandwiches are, without a doubt, great.
Be it on white, wheat or rye; a grinder, sub or hoogie; smoothered with mustard, mayo or oil-and-vinager; heck, even if it is stuffed into a pita, or wrapped in wrap.

This blog is dedicated to that King of All Foods, the Rolls Royce of Sustenance: sandwiches.