the fight of the century is here.  that’s right folks, here in portland, we have our very own thrilla in PDXvilla!  no it’s not a boxing match, but it does involve two very big heavyweights in their own field.  The contestants are strong, but only one can have the title.

tech dweller, what are you talking about?????

here let me explain.  a couple of weeks ago, i was out eating lunch with a friend, and i had a sandwich that knocked my socks off.  i like sandwiches, and i was getting down.  so much so that i hadn’t even noticed that while i was killing that sandwich, that sandwich was killing my shirt.  i had crumbs AND stains from the juices coming off that sandwich.  i might as well have worn a napkin with a collar.  my friend pointed out the state of my shirt, and was mortified…but i did not care…the sandwich was that good.  in fact, i told the waiter it was the best sandwich i had ever eaten.

until…

last week, when i found a new-to-me jewish deli downtown.  they have a whole array of wonderful sandwiches, and i had one of the double decker ones.  MAN was it good.  after eating I realized that my previous favorite sandwich had some serious competition on the techdwellermeter.  In fact, i was with the same friend, and she asked me point blank, “well….which sandwich was better?” 

now it wouldn’t be fair to crown a champion without recognizing both combatants.  so first…lets meet the culinary contestants, as well as both of the restaurants that produced them.

the first sandwich is from Milo’s City Café.  I go their often… as their mushroom soup is off the chain.  on their lunch and dinner menu, they have a hot vegetarian sandwich.  now, i’m no vegetarian.  but this sounded so good i was having a hard time not ordering it.  my waitress could tell i was struggling with my decision and asked why the hesitation.  i told her that the sandwich sounded so good…but i just wished it had some meat on it.  then she said the following magic words… “well, you can always add a chicken breast to that sandwich.” that was it folks… sandwichian perfection.

sandwich #1:  backened chicken breast, broiled portabello mushrooms, tomato, sweet onion, pesto mayo, and swiss cheese on toasted sourdough bread.

sandwich #2:  roast turkey, pastrami, swiss cheese, russian dressing, and avocado on rye toast.

well there it is folks.  can you decide?  i couldn’t.  when challenged to crown a victor, i was unable to make such a distinction.  i just couldn’t decide.  the sandwiches are so different, and come from two completely different angles…it was hard to judge.  so i’m gonna leave it up to you, the reader to decide…because i can’t.  it’s kinda like ali vs frazier, speed vs power.  both are great… and hopefully you will find them to your liking.

i’m the tech dweller, and you can’t enjoylife, without a great sandwich.

ps – normally I cover tech/internet related goodness, so in the interest of continuity…please visit the above links and see the wonders of both Milo’s City Café, and Kenny & Zukes Delicatessen.  in addition, here are a couple of other sandwich related sites for you to partake of:

1. scanwiches.com - i really enjoyed this site.  a designer/blogger/sandwich lovers ode to ny sandwiches.
2. esquire.com – a great list of some of the greatest sandwiches in the USA.  a couple on the list are suspect, such as the mcrib (puhleez), but an interesting read none the less.