**Introduction**
I recently was on social media and was looking at these amazing sandwich spots on the East Coast. That my mind going about what sandwich places we have in town, I feel like we don't have very good ones.
Jumped on Yelp, it was surprising that Bakersfield has maybe less than a handful that are really good. City Sandwich was recommended by a friend and here we are.
**Environment/Atmosphere**
It's a small spot with possibly 8-10 tables for seating and sits in a shopping center with lots of parking. I have actually seen this place a few times when getting food from the pizza spots a few doors over but always forget them when feeling the need of a sandwich. Plus they are quite a drive for me, opposite sides of town.
Nothing special inside, plain and simple tables with chairs and some plants for décor. They their menu to the right on the wall as you approach the counter to order. To be honest it did not stand out which is why I missed it and was endlessly looking around until an employee pointed it out to me.
It has an old vibe to me, reminds me of stores when I was a kid in the 80s and 90s.
**Food**
I love different cuisines, I love an amazing noodle dish, delicious fried chicken, I just enjoy food period. One of my most cherished things to eat are sandwiches. I could eat them everyday and not get tired of them since you can make so many different sandwiches with different meat, vegetables, condiments and more.
I am a definite sucker for a pastrami sandwich, especially when it's the original way of mustard, pickle, pastrami and the toasted roll. I am not picky though, I love it with shredded lettuce and all the works but it really irks me when you cannot taste the pastrami on each bite. The saltiness of the pastrami from each bite should smack your tastebuds bite after bite. City Sandwich somehow removed that delectable savory punch and it was replaced by an overwhelming acidic bite.
I love vinegar however I feel there is a dangerous way to use it if you are heavy handed with seasoning/flavoring. The reason why you have to know how much vinegar should go into a sandwich is because different components directly absorb it. The bread, the lettuce, the tomatoes especially hold onto it like someone hangs on for dear life.
Other than that, the sandwich was made with perfect ratio of meat to bread to veggies. You usually see most places skimp on the meat and jam pack the lettuce to make it seem like a big sandwich.
One thing I also noticed is the size of the sandwiches vary? My wife ordered the turkey and I got the pastrami, they were different bread sizes by at least 2 inches. I found that odd but maybe certain ones use different rolls, I seen that at other places.
**Customer Service**
Take this part with a grain of salt (I guess), after dealing with the pandemic I feel customer service has not returned to the same it once was.
I approach the counter to order and there are 4 employees, the one at the register ask what I would like to order. I say, "the number 21 Hot Sub Turkey Breast" to which she replied, "you want a hot sub?"
I answer politely yes and she stares at me for 10 seconds and tells her co-worker next to her, "he wants a hot sub".
At this point I'm confused but then another employee walks up to them out of the side area and points at the screen on the register. I assume this person is new, I respectfully waited until she finished. I ordered my next item and the same sequence places out exactly.
Each sub I requested to "Make It A Meal" which adds a side and drink for about $4 more. The worker asks wants drinks I would like and what sides, I stated one chips and one macaroni salad but both drinks coke.
After paying for my order, not obtaining a receipt either, I was given one soda. I informed the worker I should have two, she checked the order slip given to the sandwich makers and said I wasn't charged for it. I paid the difference and continued to wait for my order.
They called my order, I went up and grab the bag and being in a rush I didn't check the bag. After driving for a few minutes I look at the bag sitting in my passenger seat and notice, no chips or salad.
I usually double check my order but I guess my fault for being in a rush.
It is unfortunate, especially given the up charge to make it a meal.
**Conclusion**
Do I love City Sandwich? No. Do I hate City Sandwich? No. Will I come back to City Sandwich? High probable. If I do come back I will definite see if the vinegar can be put on the side for myself to add it at my own discretion. I heard a lot of great things about them, I just hope that was one really off day for them.
For now, I will continue my search for the best sandwich spot in Bakersfield. read more