A few weeks ago, I was driving down Convoy Court, the street that parallels Clairemont Mesa, on my way from a meeting. I wanted something fast to eat back at the office. I'd usually go for a bento from Nijiya or Mitsuwa. On this day, I noticed there was a Grab & Go shop on Convoy Court. I couldn't recall seeing the place....how long had it been there? I guess I don't take use this route very often. I think Grab & Go makes a pretty decent Italian sub, I've posted on other locations before.
So I decided to stop and grab a Spicy Cappocolla ($6.49). This location also seems to serve personal size pizzas too? I'm not quite sure about that one. I will say that my sandwich was put together and available very quickly. The guy running the front counter is very efficient. I got back to my office and opened the thing up......
And it almost fell all over the place.....the tomatoes fell out, there was so much Italian dressing making the sandwich soggy. It seemed to be slapped together, though it tasted ok. I do enjoy the cappocolla which had been heated up a bit to render some of the wonderful tasting oil combined with pickled jalapenos.
Still, I had mixed feeling about the place. The sandwich was a mess and they seemed more about getting you something ASAP, then any quality control. I thought perhaps this was a fluke and decided to check them out again since once again I was driving from a meeting in the same area.
This time I went with the Sicilian ($6.99).
This time I got a drink as well and noticed that I could actually see the two guys putting together the sandwich. They seemed to be having a good 'ol time joking and laughing, not a big deal, so long that the product you're putting together turns out. The guy did drop my sandwich on the counter twice after he wrapped it and they had a couple of good laughs. I really didn't know what it was going to look like when I got back to my desk. But all was well. Nice combination of meats (Cappocolla, Genoa Salami, Mortadella), you couldn't really make out the cheese, since the peperocinis and olive spread really owned the sandwich. One thing was certain, this sandwich wasn't short on flavor. The bread was nice and crusty as well.
Funny thing was, they were pretty busy this time around. But I recall that when we used to get slammed, you'd focus a bit more, it's the slow periods when you make mistakes; you get distracted, you get silly....... So maybe that's what happened? Not quite sure what I'll get next time around....
Grab & Go
7701 Convoy Ct
San Diego, CA 92111
yeah with italian meats it is important the turn over- places that sell a lot are better you don't want to go to a place where they have to dig out the mortadella from some musty corner of the fridge :/
Posted by: grey | Monday, 19 March 2012 at 01:48 AM
Hi Grey - I wouldn't want to eat at a palce liek that either! ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 19 March 2012 at 06:41 AM
I didn't realize there was a Grab & Go on this street. There's another one off Clairemont Mesa Blvd & I-15 (Murphy Canyon Road to be exact). I'm not a big fan of Italian subs (husband is), and your first sandwich is why I never get Italian dressing (unless I'm eating it right away and very easy on the dressing).
Posted by: Sandy | Monday, 19 March 2012 at 07:58 AM
Oh man, the first sandwich looked like a mess!
Have you tried Specialty's in LJ? Me and sis like their sandwiches a lot.
I agree w/ your sentiment 'it's the slow periods when you make mistakes'...
Posted by: Faye | Monday, 19 March 2012 at 03:19 PM
Hi Sandy - I've been and posted on that location before. Usually, if it's not overdressed, a decent Italian sub will hold up for an hour or more. That one was a but too much....
Hi Faye - Sounds like a great place....I'm sure you can tell me more about it! ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 19 March 2012 at 08:46 PM
If you ever get up to Agoura Hills (north of L.A.) and want an amazing sandwich, try the Italia deli. They bake their bread every morning and have both hard and soft rolls. I actually make my family make a pilgrimage there every once in a while. Yum!
http://www.italiadeli.com/
Posted by: SD_Mikey | Saturday, 14 April 2012 at 10:00 AM
Hi SD_M - Thanks for the recommendation. That sounds great.
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 14 April 2012 at 10:14 PM