Sunday Sandwiches: SuperNatural Sandwiches - the brick and mortar shop

No one was happier than I was when I heard that SuperNatural Sandwiches finally had a brick and mortar locaton pinned down. I've had my share of their sandwiches, seen them at Catalina Offshore, gotten to know Anthony(the Talking Head) and Tony(the Food Geek) a bit, since I'm kind of a regular customer and they're friends of friends....as I noted in my previous post. Which is a two-edged sword.....but in this case, I can be fairly brutally honest, it helps that they have a good product, they're nice guys, and that I run very fast when folks throw stuff at me.

I really love the fact that their location is pretty much in the pathway of one of the sites I visit in the course of work, so stopping by once in a while for lunch is great.

There is of course, the entire Nautical/Seafood theme.....a bit over-the-top for me, but so are the sandwiches. The current shop is relatively tiny and I've seen it get packed quickly.....

The two different folks I've run into manning the counter have been great....very friendly.

They've expanded the menu to include what they call the "Sinister Seven", more land based sandwiches. The original sandwiches, which have been served at Farmer's Markets and events around the county is known as the "SuperNatural 7". See kids, this is what happens when you grow up reading too many comic books.

I decided to have one of my favorites, the "Siren" on my first visit. I've had this sandwich a couple of times and love the interplay of the Mexican White Shrimp, sweet and plump, the rich aioli, the crunchy, buttery, mildly sweet, brioche type lobster roll. that shrimp is delish.....it's good stuff...I know because they cut in front me in the shrimp line at Catalina Offshore once before....

My other favorite is the bacon-scallop combo called the "Neptune".

Loved the sweet-smokey flavors, the interplay of textures, there was a mild zip from the sauces,

And while the amount of shrimp in the Siren seemed to be a bit less than what I recalled, this was exactly the sandwich that even the Missus....who is not fond of buttery-sweet brioche and aioli style sauces, enjoyed.

A couple of weeks later I returned....Anthony told me in passing, "why don't you try some of our newer sandwiches?" To translate, "we heard you're a really boring guy, but why don't you live on the edge for once and try something different?" Sheeesh, sounds like the Missus.

So I went with the Chimera, a combination of Bulgogi like beef and shrimp.

For me this was a textbook example of "too much of a good thing". You could barely make out the flavors of the Korean BBQ style beef, you could not make out any of the shrimp, either in flavor or texture....all the sauces and the buttery toast cancelled each other out. I'm sure there are folks who love this, but it was a bit too much for me.

On my most recent visit, Tony suggested the Encantado, a "Baja influenced" fish sandwich.

I had my doubts, the fish was corvina, not one of my favorites, but in terms of flavor, I enjoyed this. The escabeche really made the sandwich for me, adding just the right amount of acid-zip that it needed. I'm really not a fan of the bollilo they used, it's too much bread and too crumbly, like really cheap banh mi. I'd prefer something more crusty. Still, I'm glad they didn't use the regular brioche style roll/bread for this as I feel it would have over-powered the other flavors.

So in the end, just like in the comic books, the good guys (the SuperNatural 7) were victorious over the bad guys (the Sinister 7)....until next time, of course!

I'm happy for this really nice bunch of guys. Since I'm more of a quality/flavor over quantity kind of guy this works for me. I even think those togarashi shrimp chips aren't bad either....though I don't think I've met a shrimp chip I didn't like.

There's one last little critical item I have....please remove this somewhat embarrassing eyesore from your front door...please....

Why don't you replace it with Blogged about by "This Tasty Life"?

SuperNatural Sandwiches
7094 Miramar Rd
San Diego, CA 92121
Hours:
Mon - Fri 11am - 7pm

Comments

[Lynn @ oh so yummy]

About your last pic and commentary... hehe! I did read about it first on This Tasty Life though! Sounds like an interesting menu and theme, especially the walls! I haven't been in the mood for sandwiches lately but we may check it out in the future just because of land vs sea!

[janfrederick]

"I really love the fact that their location is pretty much in the pathway of one of the sites I visit in the course of work"

I've always wondered why you would bother with the pho on this street...

[janfrederick]

Sorry about the multiple posts! I was getting a strange error.

[Mary]

Haha, I noticed that little tidbit in the sign! Not an eyesore, come on now! :) I still want to try that Siren - love the bread it comes on, that split style bun calls to me and reminds me of the east coast.

[Kirbie]

I've really wanted to try this place. Waiting for when they start being open on Saturdays. Hopefully soon

[Lynnea]

:D too many comic books! lol. but the sandwiches look really interesting

[TFD]

I love that sign! Don't remove!

Need to visit this place. Everything looks good. I never eat sandwiches outside of my kitchen because I'm a sandwich snob but this place looks reallyyy interesting.

[kat]

these sandwiches sound great!

[J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats]

Was really excited about the bulgogi sandwich but I can see how the strong bulgogi and kimchi flavors would completely erase any trace of shrimp flavor. Kind of like the lobster grilled cheese I had from a food truck once (can't remember the name). Could not taste any lobster and definitely wished I had not paid $9 dollars for a grilled cheese sandwich.

On the other hand that first sandwich, wow. The way you described it plus the picture....SOLD

[caninecologne]

Bert liked their scallop sandwich as well (back when they were a booth at the SD public market; gosh is that place still even open?)....

How nice of them to give you props!

[Kirk]

Hi Lynn - I think that refers to when I've visited them at the various Farmer's Markets then did a post back in January of '13.

Hi Jan - No worries, Typepad has been a mess since last Thursday. Also, you know me.....will drive for Pho!

Hi Mary - That brioche lobster style roll really adds to the sandwich.

Hi Kirbie - I hope you get a chance to check them out soon.

Too many Lynnea!

Hi TFD - They use good quality ingredients and the sandwiches are fairly novel....so by saying your a sandwich snob....you make your own pastrami/corned beef/roast beef???

I do enjoy some of their sandwiches Kat!

Hi JS - That and the Neptune are my favorites.

They're a really nice bunch of guys CC....but I think it's a bit too much. That Neptune is delish....

[Denver]

Great sandwiches although kinda pricey for the size. But a good change of pace from the choices around that area.

[Hao]

Now that you've blogged about the sign, its description is true. ;)

[Kirk]

Definitely a good change of pace Denver.

You've got a point there Hao!

[Nhbilly]

Interesting sandwich shop.

[Kirk]

It really is Billy!

[SteveC]

Were these guys at the Convoy Night Market scrum a few months ago?

I'm pretty sure I had their Nessie there but totally forgot the name of the vendor...been looking for them.

[Kirk]

Hi SteveC - Yes, they were at the Night Market. They finally got their own brick and mortar shop.