I can always count on Fowl + Fare, run by chef Will Allen, for fresh takes on chicken sandwiches. Allen’s latest is an elote riff, topped with a charred corn slaw, cotija cheese and a drizzle of chimichurri. For extra heat, request the chicken “citric hot,” which sees the cutlet dusted in Allen’s proprietary puckery seasoning. This is fried chicken sandwich maximalism at its finest.
Fowl + Fare. 2534 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. fowl-fare.square.site
Whenever I’m in San Jose, I make an obligatory stop at panaderia Mexico Bakery, but not for the expected reasons. Whereas most of its patrons visit for sweet breads like cinnamon-flecked conchas or hefty tortas cubana, I go for the sesame seed rolls stuffed with ham, cream cheese and pickles. It’s savory, a little spicy from jalapeños and bursts with smooth, tangy cheese — it’s like a Mexican power bar. I’ll take this over a ham and cheese croissant any day.
Mexico Bakery. 2811 Story Road, San Jose. mexicobakery.us
Remember when sandwiches were less than $10? Well, that remains true today at Hello Sandwich & Noodle, a no-frills Vietnamese deli in the Tenderloin. During the lunch rush, the bench that hugs the wall is filled with young professionals waiting for their banh mi order. Each one is generously stuffed with pickles, green pepper coins, cilantro springs and meat — I like the juiciness of the grilled pork slightly more than the beef version. A word of warning though, don’t wait too long before eating; the pickle brine makes the bread soggy after a while…