The List: Seven Triad sandwiches you haven’t tried, but must

by Eric Ginsburg

1. The Granny at Melt (GSO)

Greensboro’s new panini restaurant hasn’t been open long enough for anyone to work through the entire menu, but I’m here to preach the gospel of the Granny. Most of the sandwiches at Melt, which opened last week, are $12. The Duck Club, with duck confit, crispy prosciutto gouda and caramelized onions, is delicious, but the Granny blows it out of the water. Turkey and granny smith apples have always dovetailed nicely, but adding brie, spinach and a fantastic bacon & onion jam takes this hot sandwich to the next level.

2. Hot Jewish pastrami at Dioli’s Italian Market (W-S)

If there are other sandwiches with the word “Jewish” in the title, I’m mad at the other members of the tribe for holding out on me. Other sandwiches — like the fresh rotisserie turkey, grilled chicken breast and salami — may be more popular, but how can you pass up the traditional hot Jewish pastrami sandwich with red onion, Emmanthaler Swiss and Dijon mustard spread evenly on two pieces of marbled rye? You can’t. And as I drove down Reynolda Road last week as snow fell rapidly, I couldn’t help but dig in.

3. Haitian BBQ at King Queen #1 Haitian Cuisine (GSO)

This Haitian food truck that frequently sets up at 311 W. Lee St. is one of the best things about the Triad catching onto the food-truck craze. Sure, they sling tacos and burgers here, as well as a few other Haitian options, but the $5 Haitian BBQ chicken sandwich is unbeatable. Slathered in a savory sauce, this unpretentious street food is not to be missed. (Photo above)

4. Bratwurst at Quiet Pint (W-S)

I’ve been craving the Quiet Pint for weeks but somehow keep getting sidetracked. From the poutine to the flatbreads to the daily mac & cheese, you can’t go wrong here, and this tavern supplies some of the Triad’s best sandwiches. I can vouch for the Croque Monsieur and slow-braised beef brisket sandwich, but I am dying to try the Giacomo’s bratwurst sandwich with melted provolone cheese, pepper jam and a pretzel bun.

5. The Cubano at Pour House (GSO)

I hadn’t been to the Pour House in practically a decade, but with a long wait at nearby M’Coul’s on a recent Saturday, my friends and I walked over. I was too skeptical of the Cubano at this sports bar to order it myself, instead opting for 10 wings and a pitcher of beer for a measly $10. Thank god a friend let me eat some of her Cubano, a surprising tour de force for the bar I had all but dismissed.

6. Fish sandwich at Hoskins St. Seafood (HP)

It’s hard to believe you can still score a sandwich for $1.50 without going to a chain. Forget $4 banh mi joints in Greensboro — Hoskins St. Seafood Restaurant Carryout in High Point delivers a fried fish sandwich for Burger King prices. It’s cheap enough to order two. Jordan Green discovered it on his delivery route last week, and we’re all glad for such a quick dive option.

7. The Crispy Madame at Mary’s Gourmet Diner (W-S)

This one starts out as a simple grilled ham & cheese on sourdough, prepared in the inimitable manner that Mary’s Gourmet Diner applies to its entire menu. But what makes it memorable is a white-cheddar sauce poured over the entire thing, Welsh-rarebit style. It’s a knife-and-forker, this one, and it wouldn’t hurt to tuck a napkin in your shirt before taking it down.