Great sandwiches. Quality ingredients. Support unique small businesses like this that give Evanston its unique vibe. read more

What a gem!! I was visiting my friend who lives in Evanston and she took me here. We got the coconut curry one and the Indonesian ginger bbq one with chicken in each. They were both delicious. The buns were clearly good bread. The shredded carrots were the perfect size. Fresh cilantro! We got the slaw which was also delicious. No mayo and heavy garlic. Yummmmm!! My friend also said the paneer fig one is delicious too! Another thing I really liked about this place was the flavors were unexpected. A lot of Asian fusion places start to taste the same but this place was totally unexpected! Loved it!! read more

Often closed in the middle of the day. Sandwiches are kinda Wierd and not very good either

What a great little spot. Had the veggie (seitan) version of the Indonesian ginger bbq sandwich and it was delicious and filling. Portions aren't huge but it was fresh and flavorful. read more

Love love LOVE this place. My boyfriend introduced me to it and now I literally think about these sandwiches on the daily. My favorite is the Indonesian BBQ w/ Pork but you can't go wrong with anything you get. Honestly incredible. You have to go. read more

I had the chicken coconut sandwich, and it's more bun than anything. I have to say that it seems most places in Evanston are overrated as if the people who live and eat there haven't been out much. This definitely isn't a 4 or 5 star place read more

First and foremost, I've always been very picky about fusion food. Also if you choose to have SE Asain influences, you should probably get it right or I get real upset. I was tempted to try Singapore Tikka though I'm fairly sure it is not a thing back in Singapore. So I opted for the Burmese coconut curry instead. The closest thing to compare these to would be banhmi but not quite. The bread was toasted to nice and crispy which i liked. The chicken was not dried out but it was also a tad too wet. I could taste the coconut although the spices weren't very strong for me at least. This though would be perfect for someone from the Midwest. The sandwich was filling but the service here is implacable and the lady (boss?) made sure everyone was happy before they left. read more

I never crave sandwiches, but when I do, it's for a Soulwich. I've been coming here for a while now & it's amazing! The flavors are uniquely Southeast Asian & vegan-friendly. I've never had a bad sandwich. Prices are affordable ($8 incl. coleslaw or house made Burmese chips; go for the chips!) & you pay at the register, so no need to tip unless you want to. The owner is nice & sometimes the only one working (at most, there'll be one more person on staff). The restaurant is small (seats ~20), always clean & rarely packed, which is a perk in my book. They do take card, though cash is preferred. read more

I tried Soulwich when it first opened. The initial experience was okay (long wait, good meal), but I assumed that it would take time for them to find their stride. The location is poor in that the block is nearly abandoned and there's little business activity. It's easy to forget that they're there. I returned today after seeing a large number of positive Yelp reviews and a desire to try something outside of my usual sandwich options. I ordered a Wasabi Teriyaki with Steak and a side of Burmese chips. There only appeared to be two beverage options. Water and unfiltered Ginger Ale (floating chunks of ginger in the bottle). $13... Expecting a long prep time, I prepared to sit and wait after paying. To my surprise, my meal was ready within 2 minutes. It was a nice day, so I opted for take-away and found a nice park to eat in. One bite into my sandwich, and it simply disintegrated... The bread is all wrong for these sandwiches. It's a soft, thick and porous Ciabatta loaf that absorbs all of the (potentially) tasty sauces. The loaf separated immediately and the contents of my sandwich dropped to the ground. I was left with sticky teriyaki sauce all over my hands and soggy bread. I managed to pick some of the meat out and scoop up some of the veggie toppings. 4-5 more bites and I gave up... I think the issue here is a poor bread choice. The consistency is all wrong and it's not compatible with the sauces. Or maybe the toppings aren't loaded well. But the other sandwich shops in the area have this balance worked out. read more

Soulwich - Soulwich Wasabi Teriyaki with Steak... Soggy bread and the sandwich quickly fell apart. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

With an Asian and I can touch these awesome sandwiches are delectable versions of their origins and the sauces and spices very authentic. Great vegan and vegetarian options and local sodas. Service is friendly and home style- brilliant! read more

Soulwich - Paneer fig and Singapore seitan - wow! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I was very iffy about this place in college, but I tried it again recently and loved it! The flavors are so unique. Paneer fig and Singapore Tikka are my favorites. I do wish there was less of the carrot mix in the sandwich, but I usually don't like raw carrots so I struggle with a lot of banh mi style sandwiches unless the carrots are more pickled. It does seem a little bit on the pricey side for a sandwich place, but since the sandwiches seem relatively healthy and are unique I understand the premium. I also like the bottled sodas they have here. read more

The food here is DELICIOUS. Especially for vegans (usually), it's a rare gem of a sandwich place. That said, under no circumstances would I recommend ordering this food for delivery. 1. When I tried to order online, I got all the way through customizing my order before the form gave me an error message and refused to let me submit. So... 2. I called. The guy on the phone growled about the web site and said he was really done with "that guy." No idea who he was talking about. I tried to give him my order and... 3. He didn't like the speed with which I was telling him my phone number, so I slowed down. He laughed and called me cute. Twice. I still REALLY wanted the sandwiches (it's my birthday!! For real!), so I kept trying to order... 4. He said he'd get these sandwiches to me "right away." Then we waited. FOR AN HOUR AND THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES. 5. When the sandwiches arrived, he barely stopped at the door. We opened them and one of them -- for my vegetarian daughter -- was chicken instead of seitan. 6. We called. They agreed to refund us. 7. They called us back 5 minutes later, saying they couldn't refund us easily without refunding the whole order and then charging us for one fewer sandwich. We discussed it back and forth until he finally figured out how to do it. He did also make a creepy offer to come to our house and drop off cash, maybe tomorrow. Eeeyew. We love these sandwiches. LOVE THEM. But they will be a dine-in-only experience for us from now on. read more

Attention to detail and fresh ingredients. I had the Indonesian ginger BBQ pork sandwich. Complex flavor and textures. Delicious!!! Friendly staff as well. read more

Although the customer service was excellent, the food was just okay for me. I have the barbecue chicken sandwich in the Indonesian chips with slaw. I did not personally enjoy the slaw or chips. The sandwich was flavorful but just okay. I didn't taste the barbecue flavor in my sandwich at all. I would definitely visit this place again though. read more

Absolutely love Soulwich! It's my favorite lunch spot in Evanston. My go-to sandwich is usually the Wasabi Teriyaki with chicken, although I have tried pretty much every other sandwich on the menu and they're all good. The fresh bread takes the sandwiches to a whole new level. The Burmese chips are also great. I'm a baby when it comes to spicy food and these are perfect. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick bite! read more

Their sandwiches are always great and the couple that run Soulwich are friendly and helpful! And they have re-opened!

Well, I may have raved about this place 5 years ago, but, sadly, the allure did not return when I returned for dinner yesterday night. My sandwich was OK. I wish I had read my old review to remember to request no carrots. They were regular, not pickled, but there were so many of them that they overpowered everything else, so I had to take them off. Once I took them off, I was able to see that there was actually very little OF anything else (I got the fig and goat cheese sandwich - I think there were 2 figs on the entire sandwich...) And the goat cheese was so thin - it was like it had been watered down. The bread quality has also gone downhill. Finally, the service. Atrocious. The man (owner?) was rude to other customers and dismissive to us. We were grateful that the weather allowed us to eat outside and away from the scowling employees. Not worth another return trip. read more

I've never been disappointed. My favorite is the fig and cheese sandwich. My colleagues had a salad and a curry sandwich and they were both delighted with the choices. The staff is are good people. I think English is their second language so when you are ordering or asking for anything remember to be polite and patient! read more

I have not been to Soulwich for a while and I had forgotten how delicious it was! If I had remembered earlier, I would have visited many more times. This time, I ordered the Indonesian Ginger BBQ sandwich and it was fantastic. The sandwich was practically exploding with flavor and the juicy ingredients contrasted well with the perfectly crispy and flaky bread. That being said, eating the sandwich was a bit of a messy endeavor. Soulwich is now my new go-to place whenever I am craving banh mi. Delicious food for a great price, what more could you ask for? read more

Some of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten! The bread is heavenly, the service is always friendly and usually fast (except maybe when the restaurant is packed during the busy lunch hour), and the place is immaculately clean! I love the paneer fig sandwich and the Asian slaw which is light and mayo-free. I only wish they had a better hot tea selection. read more

Soulwich - Paneer fig sandwich - Asian Fusion Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Love their vegan sandwich! It's so delicious and reasonably priced. One of my favorite lunch places in Evanston

I'll say this much, Soulwich provides a breath of fresh air for sandwiches in Evanston(especially because I eat Subway two days every week). I've been here twice, and while the Indonesian Ginger BBQ was amazing in itself, I blown away by their Paneer Fig sandwich. I'm a big meat eater, so I was questioning my decision in getting a vegetarian sandwich. Would it have enough flavor? Would it be filling enough? I just wasn't sure. It turned out for the best in the end. The sandwich was light and refreshing, yet jam-packed with flavors. The paneer was mildly salty, while the fig complemented it perfectly with its sweetness. If you've seen Pixar's Ratatouille, I basically had the scene where the rat combines the flavor of strawberry and cheese and fireworks pop up. It was that good. Furthermore, it was quite filling. The only qualm I had is the fact that the slaw was a little bit disappointing, or at least not what I was expecting. It definitely wasn't on the same level of their sandwiches, and didn't have a special kick or freshness about it. It just simply tasted like a gingery asian slaw, which is okay as a complement to their sandwich. As a result, I'd recommend chips over the slaw personally. Don't get me wrong though, for a $9-10 meal, Soulwich definitely serves as a pick-me-up when you're looking for something out of the ordinary to eat. read more

There are few culinary experiences in Evanston, Illinois, that top Soulwich. It is the rare restaurant that lives up to its name: Each visit to this eatery truly rejuvenates my soul. If you can, spend some time in Soulwich's physical space. The walls, adorned with minimal line drawings, and the music, the quiet hum of trip hop or Radiohead, prepare you for the spiritual nourishment that your visit will provide you. The Paneer Fig is delicious, although so is everything on the menu. The bread is always perfect, its crunchy outer shell protecting the soft inner layers of fig, goat cheese, cilantro and carrot. Sandwiches are served with slaw or chips, and fear not, you cannot go wrong with either. Last, the kindly folks who work behind the counter are some of the most pleasant restauranteurs I've ever had the pleasure to patronize. And, importantly, the food is consistently exemplary. So, what are you waiting for? Head on down to Soulwich. And bring a friend; these 'wiches are best enjoyed with your pals. read more

Not bad. Came here because I was in the area and looking for something light. It was perfect! I had some wrap with goat cheese and it was devine. Lost a star for the price though. read more

Here is my flow chart for deciding whether you should go to Soulwich on a given day or not: Do you live in Evanston? Yes No | | | | | | V V Get your your ass Get your ass to Evanston, then go to out of Chipotle, and go to Soulwich Soulwich This place is probably one the most exciting, enjoyable, affordable restaurants to open in Evanston in years. Every sandwich I have had there is great (Indonesian with pork is my favorite) the owner is awesome, and the chips have a good kick. Please do us both a favor and go - you won't regret it. (Seriously, it's right around the corner from Chipotle and is about 10^10 times better. And Chipotle isn't bad.) read more

After seeing some reviews, we decided to check this joint out. It wasn't very busy when we walked in so we sat at the counter and enjoyed a very nice view of outside. The sweet woman behind the counter was very fast and brought them out quickly. We ordered the Indonesian ginger barbecue sandwich with steak as well as the wasabi teriyaki sandwich with chicken. The wasabi teriyaki was really good but the superstar of the meal was the bbq sandwich. I highly recommend that if you dine here. The bread is toasted absolutely perfectly reminiscent of a nicely toasted potbellys sub, but with a little Asian fusion. This is a must try for a lunch place if you are in e-town! read more

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FOOD: I can safely say that the #4 Indonesian Ginger BBQ sandwich is REALLY FRIGGUN GOOD (if you're not much of a cilantro person, ask them to leave it out or just pick them out yourself because it's not that hard to do so). The homemade seasoned chips aren't anything out of this world, but still great since it comes with the sandwich (you can get a homemade slaw instead!). Finally, the Sriracha bottles comes in handy if you need some spice in your life. I have only two problems with this place. 1) When it comes to food eaten with your hands instead of utensils (especially sandwiches and burgers), I really appreciate it if the food I'm eating remains intact throughout the whole time. As for soulwich sandwiches (maybe it was just #4 who knows), this was not the case. Right from my first bite, the chili aioli, although extremely derrrrricious, started dripping like crazy from the bottom of my sandwich. 2) Me: "May I have a small cup for water?" Worker: "No, but you may buy one of our bottled waters" Me: "Oh okay" (pulls out a dollar) Worker: "It's $3" ............................. wat..... the...... ball........ sax ******** TIP: There's a CVS nearby (1711 Sherman Ave). Buy water from there beforehand and drink away. read more

I'm a true sandwich artist in both creation and especially consumption. There is a Goldilocks zone for all sandwiches, and the key factor IMO is moistness. Too dry and you suffer lock jaw from chewing, most likely a lack of flavor and a constant need for your beverage in order to consume. Too wet, and you experience what I did at Soulwich. It was like Vietnamese sandwich ingredients but overloaded onto an Italian bread (not good for absorption) and a TON of sauces and juices!!!! It was, suffice to say, "a recipe for disaster". I went with the Indonesian Ginger BBQ with chicken. The chicken was SUPER moist, almost too much so. The taste reminded me of Thanksgiving dark turkey meat. Normally that wouldn't be a bad thing, but I just didn't see it working with the rest of the ingredients. Bottom line though, on bite number two, this thing basically exploded on me like a military issued sandwich grenade. I LOVE overstuffed sandwiches, but you have GOT to have a bread vessel that can hold up to a juicy sandwich!!! Had the Burmese flavored chips too that weren't very memorable. I'll probably shop around sandwich shops next time I'm in Evanston. Al's deli is the winner in town so far. read more

Yea, Soulwich is a nice addition to Evanston. There aren't many sandwich shops in Evanston, and not a one with this originality, nor such an affable owner's husband occupying the behind-the-counter space equipped with questions, info and a palpable confidence in Soulwich's product. At first the menu had me scratching my dome - it would help to explain, for instance, what a Singapore Tikka is to the Average Joe. Or what exactly is an Indonesian Spice Grill. Luckily, the above-mentioned proprietor's husband was there to escort me through my options. I settled for something tiltled, "Indonesian Ginger BBQ, homemade bbq, red cabbage and infused caramelized onion." You have the option of chicken, pork, steak or veggie. I chose chicken. The bread, from the same place as Xoco - which seems to have become a selling point for Soulwich - was nearly perfect. It held up almost intact, but the sandwich had a bit too much sauce and lost its foundation. This may also be due to the fact that the sandwich is just plain massive. Mad chicken, mad cucumbers, mad cabbage, etc.... The flavor is definitely present in this sandwich, although the sauce was a bit too sweet and plentiful for my tastes. Overall, l I have to give the owners big-ups for originality, use of as natural and organic ingredients as available and just straight pleasantness! I'll go back to try another sandwich, for sure read more

I was here today for the first time, and I can't believe I've never been here before! We ordered three of the Indonesian Ginger BBQ (with pork) and one of the Wasabi Teriyaki sandwiches (with steak) to share. We had two orders of chips, one spicy and one original, as well as two orders of the housemade slaw. They were incredibly generous with the meat and the vegetables (thin slices of cucumber, a heaping handful of carrot, cilantro, and possibly some other things that I didn't see. The Indonesian Ginger BBQ is as good as everyone says it is - stuffed with succulent meat, dripping flavorful sauce, with freshly toasted bread and, like I said before, a huge pile of vegetables. The Wasabi Teriyaki was also very good, not as spicy and with a hint of smokiness. I found the chips to be nothing special (not on the level of Rollin' to Go, for instance, in terms of housemade chips in Evanston), but the housemade slaw was actually very good. I typically don't eat mayo, and their slaw was pretty low on the mayo, slightly vinegary, and a little garlicky. Delicious! I'll definitely be back here soon. read more

Clean shop Friendly workers Yummy food with vegetarian and vegan options Good prices Will be back here soon !! read more

This is another local shop in Evanston that is unique in its own way. For me, it's a fun take on a Vietnamese banh mi and Indonesian food? Regardless, it is refreshing to have a different option in the area. The sandwiches are good and filled to the brim with vegetables and your choice of meat, and everything comes with a side of homemade chips. I would personally say the food is OK, not great especially when factoring in the price. It comes to about $8.50 for a sandwich that leaves me wanting.. a little more for the price. I can't really put my tongue on it, but maybe a stronger spice, flavor, or something to really penetrate through the vegetables would make it taste better. Overall, it's a decent place for something different. read more

They have their counter at Kellogg on Tuesdays where they serve Malaysian Tacos. I have tried all three varieties and love their chicken and veggie one. Tofu doesn't taste like tofu, in a good way! (Not that I dislike tofu... Just that the marination is superb.) Chicken is super delicious and juicy. But the best part is the tortillas. it is not the corn one ... It is more like the bhatura bread you get in India. this just adds on to the feel. Overall a very simple dish, but very flavorful! Unfortunately, they don't serve that in their restaurant. However, the sandwiches they have in restaurant is equally juicy, flavorful and filing. The owners are from India - a couple. They are very friendly. Also, the menu is pretty straightforward. It makes it super quick and at the same time hassle free. read more

I've tried the Burmese Coconut Curry, Singapore Tikka, and Indonesian Ginger BBQ sandwiches, as well as the slaw and chips (the sides). Every time I've ate here I've ordered something different than the previous time, in hopes that I'm going to get a sandwich bursting with flavor, but every time I've gotten mildly flavored meat with a side of either mildly flavored potato chips or bland, non-creamy coleslaw. I don't know whose palate Soulwich is trying to appeal to, but it sure isn't mine. Eat your sandwich quickly, or else the bread will get soggy. read more

I was in Evanston for a business trip and saw that this restaurant had very high reviews and decided to check it out. I got a Burmese Coconut Curry with pork. It was delicious. The owner and staff were helpful and understanding when I asked for an itemized receipt. I didn't get the strong flavors I was expecting but I still found the sandwich to be delicious. I loved the bread that was used for the sandwich. The one thing I didn't like was that they were cash only. read more

How am I forgetting to add reviews for these great places? And when I love Soulwich so much? Soulwich has been a much-needed, awesome addition to Evanston, especially on a block that has had trouble keeping places alive (still waiting to hear what happened to Pomegranate). These sandwiches are SO DAMN GOOD! The ingredients are fresh, the veggies are crisp, and the seasoning is perfection. I keep wanting to try other kinds but I'm stuck on the Indonesian BBQ. I've heard the salads are equally good and lord don't let me forget the Burmese chips! Crisp, lightly seasoned..the perfect addition to a meal. The slaw is even better with its light dressing and crunch. The owner is lovely, and it shows that he's passionate about his food. Soulwich is a great addition to town! read more

Never had a disappointing experience here! Food is always tasty and the staff is always very friendly. Pro tip: the Burmese chips are VERY hot! I'm from Texas, and they're even a little spicy for me! You've been warned... read more

Soulwich - Asian Fusion Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I was very excited to try Soulwich because I'm a fan of banh mi, but I was underwhelmed by the experience. The man (presumably the owner) working the counter was very friendly and informative. The place appears to get a lot of regulars too, which was a great sign. I ordered the Wasabi Teriyaki Chicken and a side of the homemade chips. Basically, the sandwich was all bread with mostly carrots and sauce, making the sandwich very soggy. I don't normally have a problem with this if it's tasty, but it unfortunately was not. It was akin to taking a bite of an ice cream sandwich and realizing that all you have in your mouth is cookie. I need that ice cream right now, Lt. Dan. I-CE CREAM! The homemade chips, however, were very good. I went with the regular flavor but would have liked to try their other offerings. All-in-all, it seems like an okay place to grab a bite. However, with so many options in the immediate vicinity, Soulwich wouldn't be my first choice. Judging from the other reviews, I just had a bad, outlier sandwich but I likely won't be back. read more

4.5 stars! rounded up to 5 because you can't really find another place like this in this area. I'm not a really big sandwich girl - something about sandwiches are too boring... so a sandwich better be damn good in order for me to really enjoy it. And i enjoyed Soulwich. I've been there multiple times and have tried two sandwiches: the Sesame Chili Tuna and the Indonesian Ginger BBQ with pork... I was really excited about the tuna because I thought it would be slices of seared tuna in the sandwich - I was disappointed to see that it was actually more like canned tuna between bread. However, I really liked the Indonesian BBQ! Super flavorful and delicious. The richness of the meat is balanced by the tangy freshness of the pickled vegetables. I also really love their cole slaw! It's not your traditional veggie mix soaked in mayo and various other artery-clogging ingredients. It's very light but really flavorful. Only small complaint I have is their sandwiches can get kinda oily... unless I'm mistaking the oil for the sauces, but I'm pretty sure it's oil, and it makes me cringe when it drips out of the sandwich after every bite. read more

The service, and the seating, have drastically improved. Bravo! The food is really very good. Basically, when you order here, it looks like you're ordering the same base sandwich on a ciabatta-like loaf with a few sauce options. Some of the sandwiches also have different ingredients added to the base mix. We ordered the singapore tikka and the chicken wasabi teriyaki. Both were good. The sandwiches have really awesomely fresh tasting vegetables and the chicken was really good, too. The CWT had caramelized onions which were almost out of this world tasty. The sandwiches were great, as were the sauces, but I wonder if they were a little drowned in sauce. I could easily take a pass on the chips; though they are good and home-made they are also not particularly special examples of that category. The slaw on the other hand is really tasty and a great compliment to the sandwich. This joint is definitely going on my lunch spot rotation, and takes up a good spot in the quick-eats hole that Pomegranate left when it departed from across the street. read more