The Earls of Flagstaff Sandwiches

Bread surrounding layers of delectable ingredients that on their own may be decent, but together they become a tasty sandwich. What we now call the sandwich has been around in one form or another since the first century BC, according to What’s Cooking America. The website also says that the creation of bread surrounding fillings is named in modern times after the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, John Montague, who liked to keep his hands clean by wrapping bread around meat while playing card games. Good idea. The notion stuck around and is now one of the most popular sorts of entrees served in America. To get the best ones – you’ve got to have the best ingredients layered in perfect combination. Here’s a look at some of the crown jewels of the sandwich market in Flagstaff…

Orpheum Stage Left Sub Shop
Official address is 15 W Aspen but it is really on N Beaver St  ½ block from Rte 66
The new Orpheum Stage Left Sub Shop serves up a deli-ectable variety of "Brooklyn style" sandwiches. They have a nice selection of cold and hot sandwiches from meat lovers options like the New Yorker and Meatball to veggie choices like Eggplant Parmesean and the Paisan (also known as a Caprese with some extras). All sandwiches are about eight bucks and come with a side of chips, pasta salad or potato salad. This may be the new kid on the block of Flagstaff’s sandwich shops, but these guys taste like old pros.

East Coast Deli and Grill
1300 S Milton
Another small newbie Flag sandwich creator is the East Coast Deli. Co-owned by a 22 year old NAU student, this little deli is quite popular serving up what it calls Pitsburgh style grub. Sandwiches here span the day with breakfast choices to classic Tuna Melts, Philly Steak and Cheese and even Pittsburgh Reubens (think standard Reuben plus cream cheese) and Fried Bologna sandwiches. You can make any “Pittsburgh style” by adding fries and coleslaw on top for a buck more.

Lumberyard Brewing Company Taproom and Grille
5 S San Francisco
Stop in for a beer (I rec trying the new Apricot Ale) and a sandwich at the brand spanking new Lumberyard. Owned by the same folks as Beaver Street, you’d expect good things and you’d be right. So far I’ve tried out the Blackened Mahi Mahi and the California Tri Tip. Both worth getting again. Other hot sandwiches include the popular Hot Italian Beef and Hummus Reuben. Lumberyard also serves up cold sandwiches. The only downside – they come ala carte.

Beaver Street Brewery
11 S Beaver St
With a completely different menu from their little brother (not counting beers), is Beaver Street, which features many popular sandwiches. One of my fav veggie options in town – the Rustic Portabello sandwich with a thick, juicy portabello mushroom basted in “secret, spicy stout sauce” and grilled up, then put on a ciabatta roll with sprouts, tomatoes and an artichoke-olive pesto sauce. Delish. Another fan fav here is their Meat Loaf sandwich made with their “world famous” meatloaf topped with Swiss cheese, salsa mayo and beer mustard. Of course they have ever-popular classic chicken sandwiches and burgers too.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro
503 N Humphreys St
For lunch, check out Josephine’s unique sandwich selections. My favs there - the Po-Boy Crab-Cake Sandwich and the Caprese which has tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil –of course- plus prosciutto and baby greens all on a toasted garlic ciabatta roll with a balsamic reduction and basil infused olive oil. The flavors in these are as special as they are delectable.

Pita Jungle
320 S Regent Street (Next to New Frontiers)
On the pita side of the sandwich world, Pita Jungle is a tasty bet. My recs here – the Shawarma (aka Mediterranean Roasted Chicken) Pita. It has hot grilled chicken breast with mixed greens, tomatoes, onions, pickles, garlic sauce and tahini. So different and oh so good. You’ll crave this one! Another goodie - the Philly Steak Pita. It has steak, sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese all wood-fired in a Greek pita. Of course, they have classic beef gyro pitas and falafel pitas worth a try too.

Wildflower Bread Company

530 East Piccadilly Drive (Southeast Corner of Bulter and Lone Tree)
www.wildflowerbread.com (You can find menus, soups of the day, locations, etc there.)
Wildflower has a ton of great selections for sandwiches, both hot and cold. Among their most unique: The Roasted Sweet Potato with roasted sweet potato, fresh mozzarella, fig confit, tomato, arugula, marinated fennel and Balsamic Vinaigrette on Herb Focacci. Other ones to try: the Wildflower Grilled Cheese with swiss, brie, cheddar, arugula and tomato on grilled Nine-Grain and the Chicken Continental with grilled chicken breast, swiss, marinated mushrooms, caramelized onion, romaine, tomato and honey mustard on a Ciabatta Roll.


Crystal Creek Sandwich Company
1051 S Milton Rd Ste A
Crystal Creek is a Flagstaff classic, routinely voted best deli sandwiches by locals and students alike. Among their many beloved is the loaded Grand Rapids and the veggie lover’s Crystal Veggie.

(This article was originally written by me for Flagstaff Live! in May 2010)