In a space where sandwiches seem very ordinary and overabundant, one of the newer hole-in-the-wall eateries truly stands out from the rest. Quick background: my first year at Berkeley consisted of meal-point sandwiches for lunch at Golden Bear or Ramona’s, which by any means wasn’t too bad – they just got a bit repetitive after a while.
Fast forward to my final year at Cal, and I’m glad I was introduced to Montague’s Gourmet Sandwiches by a friend. This small mom-and-pop shop is so nondescript that I hadn’t noticed it when it opened last semester at one of the busier intersections of the area (Channing and Telegraph).
Step inside and you’ll find simple decor, with several stools over a long counter, a TV, and not much else. Step up to the counter and you’ll be greeted by a friendly lady at the register who’ll take your order and provide some recommendations. I decided to go with the pastrami sandwich, on a Dutch Crunch roll of bread and Jack cheese.
The sandwich was prepped fresh, and the best part (other than the meat) was the “secret” sauce, a tangy confection whose cousin is most definitely Cheeseboard’s amazing “green” sauce. A filling, flavorful, and delicious meal, all for $6.50. There was a slight delay/mix-up on my order, so the lady actually gave me another sandwich – for free!
Talk about a satisfying meal and great service!
Sand-vich at www.FoodSpotlight.com.
List of 100 amazing dishes around Berkeley at The Food Spotlight 100!