Silverside Deli is a casual sandwich spot that excites, due to their not-so-casual approach to cooking. Executive Chef Zach Wojdula uses his fine dining experience at places like Current Fish & Oyster to give customers a taste of Michelin-level expertise packaged in a unique gourmet sandwich.
Upon my introduction to Silverside, it took one bite of the Korean Fried Chicken ($15) to know it was special. The tenderness and tanginess of the kimchi was good enough to eat on its own, which worked harmoniously with the crispier texture of the fried chicken, and the cucumbers and onions, which were brushed in a fantastic ginger-garlic gochujang sauce that brought sweetness and spice. The quality of the ingredients and the fact that everything was made from scratch stood out immediately.
I’m a sucker for buffalo chicken, whether in an elevated form or from the greasiest of chicken shacks, so naturally I needed to try the Honey Buffalo Chicken ($14). What wowed me first was the best buffalo sauce I’ve ever had. It was sweetly rich with a kick, made creamy by dill ranch, slathered over the perfectly tender panko and herb-crusted chicken. Pickles and lettuce added a nice crunch, constructing a sandwich that is not too heavy, not too light, but just right. Usually the cooperation of texture and flavor in a sandwich is an afterthought, but it couldn’t be ignored here.
Finally, I opted for a cold sandwich. I tried The Big Easy ($16), Silverside’s now-retired take on a muffuletta that stacked a half pound of ham, soppressata, finocchiona and mortadella. Among the four different quality meats, provolone is shuffled in on an herbed focaccia that is pillow soft, allowing easy access to sink your teeth among the impressive mountain of high quality ingredients. Each bite feels richer. The presence of the meat is undeniable and delicious, but it’s the added flavor coming from the sherry aioli, beer-pickled shallots, capers and house-made olive salad that elevates this sandwich from a regular, solid cold sandwich to something more. As Silverside describes this sandwich on their website, I can confirm it is “bold, briny and deeply satisfying.”…