Hello from covid corners! Yes, despite detectable levels of covid in the wastewater here being near an all-time low here, your’s truly was able to catch it. And share with Christine. Good time. At least it’s tracking with the only other time I’ve had it which is to say, I’ll feel normal after four days but test positive for ten.
What really bummed me out was not being able to do a dry run of Sandwiches of History: LIVE! I had planned for friends. Given my schedule, that means that Portland is going to see it performed for the first time anywhere. Yikes. Sorry, Portland.
This week we, of course, had the full raft of sandwiches but it was a “light” week for In The Chips with Barry. So, only one review. Thankfully, the chips were tasty. Ok, on to the sandwiching.
The Sandwiches 🥪
Monday, September 30, 2024
Metropolitan Sandwich (1942)
500 Tasty Sandwiches
Rating: 6
Plus up: Turkey pepperoni
Plussed up rating: 6 1/2
This was an interesting mashup of savory and sweet. When I described it to my significant other’s mother who once owned a tea room, she recognized the style of it right away. Apparently, this kind of mash up was common for tea sandwiches. Kind of an all in one go thing. It was tasty. Took a flier on the turkey pepperoni working and it did! Still, this was too much work so it goes in the “not gonna make that again” stack.
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024
San Diego Crab Meat Sandwich (1965)
The 1,000 Fabulous Sandwiches
Rating: 7
Plus up: Tortilla chips
Plus up rating: 8
Ah yes, San Diego. Known the world over as the “Crab Capital of California.” Said no one ever. Yeah, as someone who mostly grew up in San Diego, I can say with confidence that the only think “San Diego” about this is the avocado. It was tasty but I’m not fan of diluting avocado with sour cream or, in this case, mayonnaise. Wasn’t bad but why do that? Plussed it up with some tortilla chips which not only brought some salt but some texture too. Would make again minus the mayo (and you know I dig mayo)
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Sandwiches of History: LIVE!
Sure, I could’ve just released Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook and be done with it. But no, I’ve created a live show and am hitting the road…right before and directly after hosting Thanksgiving. Lord help me I am not a bright made. But hey, it is going to be a great time and I’ve got some special guests in some cities so there’s that?
11/12 Portland - Special Guest Star Bill Oakley* - early show sold out
Click here for tickets for the 9:30pm show!
11/14 Seattle - Special Guest Star Steel Beans*
11/16 Los Angeles - Special Guest Star actor/comedian Rob Huebel*
11/19 New York City - Special Guest Star H. Jon Benjamin*
11/21 San Francisco
12/4 Chicago
*special guest star subject to change (they may get gigs that are a tad more meaningful for their career)
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Chopped Cheese (Spanish Harlem)
Regional History
Rating: 9 1/2
Plus up: Mustard and pickled jalapeños
Plus up rating: 10
This is one of those iconic sandwiches that I hesitate doing in the first place. That’s because I’ve never had one let alone been to Spanish Harlem to have one. And try as might to find an authentic recipe online, I alway manage to miss something. In this case, sazón seasoning and wrapping it, apparently. Swings and misses. On the a positive note, even with those omissions it was delicious. Plussing it up with a little mustard and pickled jalapeños added a nice contrast to the beef, cheese, mayo, and ketchup and a touch of heat.
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Thursday, October 3, 2024
Brown Sugar Chocolate Sandwich (1927)
Salads and Sandwiches
Rating: 8 1/2
Plus up: Sliced banana
Plussed up ratings: 9 1/2
I mean, come on, right? Brown sugar and dark chocolate on buttered bread is a no-brainer. Many folks were asking for the grilled cheese treatment but I was concerned it would become a gooey mess of a sandwich. So I opted for banana. No regrets there. Yes, I could have opted for some chipotle powder or mole seasoning blend (which honesty is where my mind went first) but I get accused of relying on spicy items for plus ups too often (a claim that doesn’t really hold up statistically but still). Banana, brown sugar, and dark chocolate is a great combo and I can say I ate fruit that day. Win-win!
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Friday, October 4, 2024
Two-Course Sandwich (1958)
Good Housekeeping’s Book of Breads and Sandwiches
Rating: Savory Side - 7 1/2 | Sweet Side - 7 1/2
Plus up: Gherkin pickle on the inside of the savory side
Plussed up rating: Savory Side - 8
In the video I refer to the Cornish Pasty as being the inspiration for this sandwich. Some folks said it was the Bedfordshire Clanger. Either way, the original would have savory on one side, sweet on the other as sort of a entire meal in one go that workers could enjoy in the fields or mines. And they wouldn’t work about washing their hands as the exterior wasn’t meant to be fully consumed. This is the 1950s American interpretation of that. And it was tasty. This video also helped me learn that Trader Joe’s apparently sells frankfurter rolls. While I did go to four different stores near me looking for them, checkin Trader Joe’s didn’t even cross my mind. Live and learn
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Saturday, October 5, 2024
Toasted Mushroom Sandwich (1937)
The New Art
Rating: 7
Plus up: Fresh thyme
Plussed up rating: 7 1/2
The plus up for this could’ve gone in a number of directions. My first thought was St. Agur bleu cheese. But it already had mayonnaise so I begged off from that and opted for fresh herbs to liven things up a bit. Hard to beat the combo of sautéed mushrooms and onion with fresh thyme
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Don’t forget to pre-order Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook (releases Nov. 5th)!
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Bake and Shark (Jamaica/Trinidad/Tobago)
International Sandwich Sunday
Rating: 10
Plus up: None
Not gonna lie, this was a fair amount of work. I do think I chose a recipe that was a tad on the busy side. Still, between the marinade for the swordfish (swapped in for shark), the coating on the swordfish, the mmhmm sauce, tamarind sauce, and Jamaican peppers sauce, there was absolutely no need to plus it up. I don’t think I’d make this again but I’d absolutely eat it again.
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In The Chips with Barry 🥔
October 2, 2024
Rumbles Pudina Twist Potato Chips (India)
Balaji Wafers
Ngl, I did not know what Pudina Twist meant. But the mint leaf on the bag was an indicator. Not being the biggest mint fan, I was leery about mint flavored potato chips. Well, turns out it was mint chutney flavor which is complex and tasty. And works really well on a potato chip. I say if you see ‘em, get ‘em.
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That’s all the sandwiches and chips for this week. See ya next Monday!
Cheers,
Barry 🥪
Sorry to hear you got Covid - hope you're feeling back to normal soon (and Christine too)!
Covid sucks for sure it ruined me too when I had plan go camping but I’m glad you’re feeling normal Barry and sharing is caring don’t worry I shared to my hubby 😅