Which Wich ? - Hillcrest

**** This location of Wich Wich has closed

After reading this post by Paul Jamason of SD Urban, I've been following the progress of a new Sandwich Chain setting up shop in San Diego. But apparently, I hadn't been following close enough, because I didn't know the place had opened until I read another post by Paul in late February. Located on Fifth Avenue, in the Guild Theatre location, this chain asks the eternal question, "Which 'Wich?"

   

And even though the "sandwich assembly line" looks pretty generic....

 

But the concept is a bit different. Only sandwiches are served, and all sandwiches are priced the same, $5.25. There are 10 categories of sandwiches, ranging from "Turkey" to "Seafood" to a "Comfort" category(more on that one later). Doing the math that's 50 basic sandwiches. And there are only two types of bread available, white or wheat, and 8 different types of "cheese".

 

From there it can get a bit crazy.....there are what seems to be an endless combination of spreads, veggies, spices, and oils. All of which (or 'wich) you fill out on a brown paper sack. Once you've designed your 'wich, you hanedthe bag to the person at the register who clips it to a line and it makes its way down the assemble station. When your name is called, your 'wich is ready.

Pretty neat concept, huh? Kinda fun, maybe a bit entertaining.... Which 'wich says it creates "Superior Sandwiches", which (or 'wich) leads to the question, what is a superior sandwich? All I could get from the Which Wich website is a bunch of marketing babble, about being superior because of the innovative ordering "system", and employees commitment to 100% satisfaction. 

On this day, I got a BLT on white with provolone, and just for kicks horseradish mayo. All the sandwiches come in one size, and is toasted. In fact, it does look a lot like a Quizno's sandwich, in shape and size:

 

So what's to like? It's a decent sized sandwich, and I like the hot pepper mix, and the horsradish mayo had some kick. I'm glad the nice gal who made my 'wich cut it in half because it was pretty messy.

 

The bread was meh, the turkey was pretty much the same semi processed stuff as Quizno's and Blimpies, and the bacon was chopped into bits that fell all over the place. They had also slathered a bit too much mayo over everything.  It was better than Subway, perhaps a bit better than Quizno's...but not by much. In the end, it seemed more a nice concept than anything else.

But oh what a concept it is........ There's a whole section of 'wiches called "Comforts".

 

And you can see what I saw, right? It's right there......not just Spam, but in case you're worried that you're getting some inferior canned meat product like Treet (you should never name your canned meat product something that rhymes with 'feet'), or even, god forbid, gasp... SPAM® Lite, you can take comfort in knowing you can get the one and only, SPAM® Classic.

The question remains, how do I complete this superior sandwich masterpiece? Feeling a bit of guilt, I checked off the "wheat" column. But when faced with the selection of cheeses, I just couldn't resist..... what do you do when the world is your oyster?

  

After all what could possibly be a more perfect partner for a canned meat product, than a processed cheese spread? I finished off the sandwich in a likewise schizoid manner, partnering the "crispy onion strings"(deep fried onions) with "fat free mayo", and finished the sandwich off with lettuce, tomato, and pepper mix. To her credit, the gal on the register didn't bat an eye when she saw what I ordered. There was a bit of a confusion finding the SPAM® Classic from the guys in the assembly line. But I did receive my sandwich.

  

I'm not going to go into detail about this "superior sandwich", other than to say that it was a mess, and made a mess because it wasn't cut in half, and the 5 slices (!) of SPAM® Classic(I'm thinking they had some canned meat they needed to "Spam-off") didn't look nor feel like it was heated.

  

Some Whiz on my Spam....a truly superior sandwich indeed!

All kidding aside, Which Wich may not be a bad choice if you're looking for a quick, inexpensive sandwich. Just remember it is a "chain sandwich". The concept is fun, and as you see you can be pretty creative (or a knucklehead), and get whichever 'wich your heart desires.

Which Wich
3825 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105

(619) 574-9424
 

Comments

[penny]

Hmmm...what's your recipe for a "proper" spam sandwich Kirk? I think any spam sammy that I eat HAS to include a fried egg of some sort and some yoshita sauce and mayo. Is that gross?

[kat]

looks good, would be interested in seeing a spam sandwich also :)

[nhbilly]

Just the third picture alone I knew this was going to be a fun post. IMO spam has to be pan fried or broil just to crisp it up like bacon otherwise it fails. I can't believe you consumed all that SPAM!!!!

[Carol]

Wow, that's a Spamwich with a whole lotta Spam. I'd try it but I'd have to agree that Spam needs to be pan fried to be a "superior sandwich".

[Lynnea]

Hi Kirk!
thanks for posting this. I walked by this place when they were in the process of opening and then suddenly the next time I walked by they were a fully functioning restaurant. I had been wondering if their sandwiches were any good.

[Masa Assassin]

Whiz and Spam haha your my hero :P

[Passionate Eater]

I love that you zeroed in on that Spam, but am disappointed that this Which Wich place did not offer gravy or eggs over easy as sandwich filling options!

[ed (from Yuma)]

With all the banh mi choices in San Diego, it's hard for me to excited by this place. I guess I just don't want to be wiched.

[Kirk]

Hi Penny - Thinly sliced and crisp SPAM® Classic, fried egg crisp around the edges, a touch of mayo...on white bread.....

Hi Kat - A spam sandwich???? LOL!

Hi Billy - Waste not want not....didn't eat for a week after that sandwich.

Hi Carol - Yes, crisp spam!

Hi Lynnea - It's a fast-foodish, fast-casual sandwich onyl kind of place.

Hi MA - I guess I could've asked one of the guys behind the counter....Which one of you whizzed on my spam?

Hi PE - Now that would have been nice.

Hi Ed - But man does not live by Banh Mi alone!

[yummieyummy]

You're awesome!!! You even know about "Che Xoi Nuoc." Will definitely let you know when my Mama makes some of those.

[yummieyummy]

Ooops I just commented on the wrong post ;P

[Kirk]

Hi YY - That would be great! I'm still waiting for those chicken wings! ;O) I think you got mesmerized by that spam sandwich....