Whether you're a working professional or a teenage student, there's one lunch item that unites us all: the sandwich.
Honestly, it's quite beautiful in its simplicity. It could be 13 ingredients or three, and you don't even need two pieces of bread if you wrap it all in a tortilla or make an open-faced croque madame.
Although it was popularized by an 18th-century English nobleman who was, believe it or not, named the 4th Earl of Sandwich, humans have been eating meat, cheese and various other ingredients on bread for centuries. We'll never know for sure who actually invented the sandwich — though many say it was first century rabbi Hillel the Elder during Passover — but don't worry about its origins. Instead, be thankful it exists, and learn about our
five favorite options in the desert.
Modern Hippie sandwich from Chef Tanya's Kitchen
Details: Chef Tanya's Palm Desert: 72-695 Highway 111 Suite A6, Palm Desert; 760-636-0863; and Chef Tanya's Palm Springs: 706 S. Eugene Road, Palm Springs; 760-832-9007; cheftanyaskitchen.com
Ever since The Desert Sun office relocated from Palm Springs to Palm Desert earlier this year, the mid-valley location of Chef Tanya's has become my go-to lunch spot. Although many people go there for the salads, I almost always order the same thing: the Modern Hippie sandwich. This sammie includes "crack cheese" (fake cheese made of cracked cashews), avocado, gomasio (roasted sesame salt), tomato, jicama, shredded carrot, cucumber, purple pickled cabbage, beautiful lettuce and vegan mayo on country levain bread. Yes, it's a lot of vegetables, but no, I don't miss the meat. The crack cheese is super creamy — it tastes scarily similar to an actual spreadable cheese — and the jicama adds a wonderful crunch that you just don't get with other sandwiches. Although it's a bit hard to bite into because it's so jam-packed with ingredients, this remains my favorite item on their menu because I always leave full, energized and satisfied with all the nutrients rushing to support my immune system.
— Niki Kottmann
Nova lox sandwich from Manhattan in the Desert
Details: 2665 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-3354; manhattaninthedesert.cloveronline.com
Does a bagel really count as a sandwich? It does today, especially when talking about Manhattan in the Desert's nova lox sandwich. I like that this one is essentially a build-your-own sandwich, featuring thinly sliced smoked salmon, cream cheese, sliced tomato and onion (the latter of which I actually leave off of mine). The salmon is so flavorful, the cream cheese is extra creamy and the tomatoes add an extra acidic flavor that ties it all together perfectly for me. Plus, you get a choice of side, which I love because it's an excuse to get an authentic Jewish deli-style potato salad. It's a meal I can enjoy for breakfast, lunch or dinner any time I go.
— Ema Sasic
Pulled pork sandwich from CV BBQ
Details: 83-214 Requa Ave., Indio; 760-668-3370; cvbbq.com
As a fan of pulled pork, one of the best local offerings I’ve had is at CV BBQ’s restaurant in Indio. The family-owned and operated restaurant in Indio slow-cooks and smokes its meats over seasoned red oak using hand-selected spices and custom rubs. You can taste the flavor in its tri-tip, BBQ chicken, and pulled pork sandwiches. Pair the pulled pork, which is served on a 6-inch buttered and toasted French roll, with a side of mac & cheese or BBQ baked beans, and it’s a great lunch or dinner.
— Brian Blueskye
A build-your-own Italian sandwich at The Real Italian Deli of Palm Springs
Details: The Real Italian Deli of Palm Springs, 100 S. Sunrise Way B, Palm Springs; 760-325-3800; and The Real Italian Deli Sogno Fatto; 44-795 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert; 760-836-1493; therealitaliandeli.com
I could have told you exactly what to order here, but that would be defeating the point. The beauty of this cozy (and yes, authentic) Italian deli is that their full-service counter is brimming with so many options, if you can't choose from one of the 14 specialty sandwiches, you can just tell them exactly what you want from the the case in front of you and they'll whip it up for you. For example, I love most of the items on their Toscano sandwich — Toscano salami, lettuce, tomato, provolone and homemade olive tapenade — but I'm not an olive gal, so I like to order a version of this sandwich with the classic salami, lettuce, tomato and provolone along with mozzarella and pesto mayo to make it my own.
— Niki Kottmann
The CEO sandwich from The Lunch Spot
Details: 74-868 Joni Drive, Suite 1-A, Palm Desert; 442-334-7171; thelunchspotpd.com
It's quite a challenge for me to pick a favorite at The Lunch Spot. I'm on a slow mission to eventually try every sandwich on the menu, and I've yet to be disappointed. Once or twice I've even felt the urge to petition the staff to make a daily special a full-time menu item. That said, The CEO (#19 on the menu) is one that I have to fight myself not to order every time I visit. It's got the perfect combo of a little bit of spice, wonderfully fresh sprouts and a side of ranch to satisfy my lingering Midwestern tendencies. Served hot, it's the perfect sandwich I wish I had the ambition to make myself at home — but I suspect it just wouldn't be the same.
— Andy Abeyta
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Where to get 10 of greater Palm Springs' best sandwiches
