Sunday Sandwiches: Dudley's Deli - Kearny Mesa

**** This location of Dudley's has closed

I recall Cathy's post on Dudley's Deli's expansion into Santee back in the winter of 2013. During the end of last year, I noticed that Dudley's Deli had also opened on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, next to Bangkok West.

For some reason, the place kept slipping my mind. I'd pass by and tell myself, "oh, yeah, I gotta grab a sandwich there...." And promptly forget about the place.

Finally, I tattooed, Dudley's Deli on my forehead, backwards of course, so everytime I stared in the mirror, Dudley's stared back....well, not really. I wrote myself a post-it note and put it on my computer at work. A couple back to back lunch hour meetings means I'll need to grab an early lunch. Perfect for the early hours (open at 7am) that this place keeps.

The place is simple, a counter to order, a sandwich prep area, a cold case, soda fountain, and a couple of shelves with a few loaves of Dudley's breads. 

All the "Premium" Sandwiches are $8.95 and as you can see above fairly hefty. As was the Corned Beef Reuben.

The rye was nice, the sandwich is press toasted making the exterior crisp. Lots of sauerkraut, perhaps a bit too mild for my taste but passable....thousand island(of course), and decent corned beef; I saw Dietz and Watson signs, so figure that's what's being served. This was perhaps, too much of a good thing for me on this day.

After recovering, I paid another visit and had the Italian.

This was my favorite of the three sandwiches I had during my visits. It looked busy, but it was the combination of the sourdough and the pepperoncini, with a very nice mild Garlic-mayo that brought it all together. All the rather strong flavors worked well and I preferred this to Lit'l Pepper's, the "Comeback". The one thing that was unnecessary to me in the sandwich was the ham.....but it didn't interfere with the other items. Also, the tomatoes could have been more ripe; there were on the green side and had no flavor.

While I really enjoyed the Western Wheat Bread used for the TBA, I was not a big fan of this one.

The turkey was nicely shaved, but bland, as was the honey mustard, and there was not enough bacon for my taste. Something acidic, tomatoes perhaps, would have brought something out in the sandwich. As it was this tasted like a nutty swiss cheese and not enough bacon sandwich. Like I said, the bread was the best thing about this one.

Overall, I like having choices and Dudley's gives me another one. I enjoy their breads and am thinking about doing a "Build your own", using that Jalapeno Cheddar Bread. Any ideas?

Dudley’s Deli
9119 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92123
Hours:
Mon - Fri 7am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Closed Sunday

Comments

[kat]

look forward to seeing your "build your own"

[Kirk]

I'm kind of looking forward to that too Kat!

[jack]

I'm in this area all the time and just happen to see the signage for Dudley's for the first time last week. Good to know that it's there.
Growing up in san diego, one of my favorite things to make/eat was a crunchy grilled cheese sandwich using Dudley's jalapeño cheddar bread so I suggest having whatever sandwich you make, have it pressed.

[Kirk]

Sounds great Jack!

[Sandy]

Jack's suggestion sounds good. I work in the area and have picked up sandwiches from Dudley's.

[Kirk]

Hey Sandy - I think I'll go for that next time.....

[Faye]

Is this the same Dudley's that you pass on the way to Julian? I think that's why this place sounds familiar. It's been years since I've tried their breads. For a Jalapeno cheddar bread build your own, hmm - extra garlic aioli, sprouts, cucumber, bacon sounds great right about now for a lunch sandwich.

[Kirk]

Hi Faye - Yes it is....they don't have all the "good stuff" in terms of breads and pies, but do make a nice sandwich.