We started with the most popular hot sandwich, the No. clued us in that all three have played a starring role in the deli’s success. The fact that they were out of bacon and mortadella by 1 p.m. to DRY soda? Or was it Daberdaku himself, a warm, generous Albanian who seems to know every customer by name? Was it the food (Boar’s Head meats and hand-delivered Semifreddi’s bread)? The great wall of old-fashioned sodas that snakes along the side of the deli and features 400 bottles ($1.99 each), from Taylor’s Tonics to Jones Soda Co. As a first-time customer, it was hard to pinpoint what led to his rapid success. Sandwich tab: $29.46 for two sandwiches, a salad and drinksĪbout five years ago, Luigi Daberdaku transformed his 99 cent store into what is now the most popular deli in Martinez. It’s a delicious, affordable alternative to both pricey local delis and boring fast-food chains. Ask for your sandwich “Fully Involved,” and you’ll get mayo, deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion and a kosher dill pickle spear on the side. There are East Coast classics - the New York Steamer Sub ($6.79), with corned beef, pastrami, melted provolone, and Italian dressing, for example - and more modern West Coast fare, including a Turkey Bacon Ranch ($6.79), with sharp cheddar and peppercorn ranch.ĭiners can also get traditional hot subs (Honey Ham, Pastrami, Roast Beef, Veggie, $6.19-$6.79) and cold subs like Tuna Salad and White Chicken Salad ($6.79). Despite some typically messy sandwich types, Firehouse’s soft, house-made sandwich rolls held together well, preventing even this notoriously untidy diner from making a five-alarm disaster zone of his shirt.
The Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket ($7.19) had tender, delicious beef that was juicy without being fatty. If you really want to dance with danger, head over to their hot sauce bar and sprinkle on some Tabasco, Sriracha or the really hot stuff. The menu offers all sorts of ways to bring the heat, from the Firehouse Chili ($3.89), with jalapeno for extra kick, to the Sweet ‘N’ Spicy add-on for the Firehouse Meatball sub ($6.79), which, as promised, added an extra burst of sweetness and flame to the already-zesty marinara and flavorful meatballs. Donation boxes by the register collect funds for local firefighters.
Settling in at our table in the Fremont outpost of this sandwich chain, we admired the firehouse-themed decor: red walls, Dalmatian spots dotted on tabletops and plenty of Fremont Fire Department gear. Sandwich tab: $24.58 for two sandwiches, a bowl of chili, chips and drinksĪt Firehouse Subs, they take their concept seriously. Roasted duck and pineapple fried rice, anyone? The staff is incredibly warm and accommodating and the menu goes far beyond sandwiches. Overall, 310 is definitely a hot spot for good eats right now. Actually, maybe we’ll save the latter for a ballgame. Next time we’ll try Enter the “Belly-rito” ($8), a slow-braised, pork belly burrito stuffed with sweet pickled veggies, or The Melrose ($8), a grilled eggplant and portobello sandwich that seems to be almost as popular as The Rampart ($7), a bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with chili and cheese. This version was just breaded and pan-fried, like the schnitzel I make at home. Had they not said they were paying homage to the wildly popular Oakland spot, I might not have had Betty’s unparalleled fried chicken nor her jalapeno-spiked slaw on the brain. The Crispy Chicken Temescal ($9), a nod to Bakesale Betty, wasn’t as impressive, but that could be psychological. The B/B Blend ($9), a flavorful burger crafted from beef and bacon, is equally epic, especially since they serve it on an English muffin that absorbs the juices. It’s our new, favorite late-night eat in town. The Westside Classic ($9) is the stuff of Yelp poetry: Drippy, hot pastrami stuffed into a Dutch crunch roll dipped in au jus (Angelenos say it’s reminiscent of The Hat’s early days). Both cities want California’s culinary trophy, and while we were ready to snub a downtown Walnut Creek eatery specializing in Los Angeles street food - how dare they flaunt that area code? - we have to admit, the food is pretty good.
Sandwich tab: $25.78 for two sandwiches, house fries and drinksīaseball isn’t the only thing Los Angeles and San Francisco compete over.