The Weekender: Classic club sandwiches
The club sandwich earned “classic” status by giving indulgers the perfect bite of crisp lettuce, sweet and citrusy tomato, salty bacon, smoked meats, and creamy mayo, all stacked high with the quintessential middle bread slice. The rising temperatures provide the perfect time to take the obligatory big bite of this tasty picnic staple.
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•The Two-One is located inside the Renaissance hotel in Westerville and boasts an extensive patio with water views and an expertly curated cocktail list. The club sandwich is a must for all Marriott brand hotels due to Mr. Marriott’s love for this unassuming American sandwich. The Two-One paid tribute to the club’s roots but jazzes it up with house-made garlic aioli and house-smoked turkey. This stack also features smoked Berkshire ham, bacon, Great Lakes sharp cheddar, and locally sourced produce—shredded lettuce, ripe tomato, and red onion. The first bite delivers big with the sharpness from the cheddar and the punch of red onion cutting through the rich aioli.
•The Brown Bag Delicatessen is a mom-and-pop spot in the heart of German Village with lines wrapping around its brick façade. Its welcoming demeanor, friendly staff, and picnic-side-filled deli case allow guests to feel right at home. The #16 starts with freshly-baked sourdough and adds layers of smoked turkey, thick-cut bacon, Yoder’s Swiss cheese, tomato, lettuce, and red onion, and ends with house-made herb garlic aioli. The herbaceous aioli shines, giving the traditional club flavors an unexpected depth that elevates this handheld, especially against the mild Swiss. Most importantly, this club is served with a whole kosher dill pickle—which should be a requirement for all club sandwiches.
•George’s Beechwold Diner & George’s Linworth Diner are known for their all-day, made-to-order breakfast, but I find comfort in their classic diner lunch options. Owner George Cela credits his success to his mentor Tommy Pappas, owner of the famous Tommy’s Diner in Franklinton. This club isn’t fussy; it’s just solid all-American diner fare. Anchoring this stack are three pieces of white toast layered with ham, turkey, Swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and thick mayo. George’s finishes this plate with Ruffle’s chips, bringing the diner experience full circle. This is the epitome of a classic club sandwich.
This weekend is the perfect time to grab this time-honored deli favorite and head to Schiller Park to enjoy the Actors’ Theatre of Columbus’ current Shakespearean production.
If you like this, read: The Weekender: Three places to score a smash burger
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