Recently, a sandwich trend flooded my social media feed: Instead of stacking meats and toppings, the fillings were chopped together into bite-sized pieces — condiments and all. The idea is that you get an equal distribution of ingredients in each bite — a chopped salad re-envisioned as a sandwich. Someone has adopted the technique locally: Brother’s Deli & Co in Oakland. The sandwich shop serves the typical deli fare, but one cold sandwich, the Chopped, is filled with a diced mix of ham, turkey, bacon, provolone and mayo. Its softer texture is similar to that of chicken salad — and it works. You can also build your own sandwich and request the fillings chopped (though it isn’t listed on the menu). I also ordered an Italian-style sandwich on focaccia, with salami, pepperoni, provolone and the typical deli veggies, all coated in chipotle spread. Every bite was equally rich in salt and spice, and I’d order it again.
Brother’s Deli Co. 2700 Park Blvd., Oakland.
On a recent trip to Bakesale Betty, the most memorable dish was not their chicken sandwich, but a banana cream pie. It does not reinvent the wheel but it excels at all the virtues of the form: rich custard swirled with banana slices and lush whipped cream, contained inside a crunchy cracker crust. Take this pie to the next family gathering and become an instant hero…