Sunday Sandwiches, the Online Ordering Edition - Tadian Cafe, Gourmet Artisan, and SuperNatural Sandwiches

I'm not sure if you've been doing this; but over the last couple of months I've been thinking about how Covid has changed our lives and habits over the last couple of years....you know, masks, outdoor dining, checking for crowds, and so forth..... And one of the things that has really taken hold is online ordering. Now, I'm not a fan of those third party companies that upcharge you like crazy for using online ordering...in fact, I was going to order online from EE Nami, when I noticed that there's a $3 upcharge for ordering online! Add that to how prices have increased and gas and sheesh....in that case, I'll just call instead! But, as a whole I like the option of online ordering. It especially comes in handy for lunch.

So, I thought I'd do a bunch of revisits to places I've posted on before.....and order online. I did this over the last two weeks, always ordering between 1030-1115, early in the week; usually on a Monday or Tuesday.

So here goes.

Tadian Cafe:

One of those places that I didn't visit until we were in the middle of the pandemic. I've always ordered online from Tadian, so this was an easy drill. Plus they open at 9am from Monday to Friday. Sadly, they no longer have what had been my favorite sandwich there; the Chinese Sausage Sandwich.

Since I wasn't a big fan of what I'd had on my last takeout order; I went with the Thai Roast Beef on a toasted French Roll, add jalapenos. As has always been the case, my sandwich is ready right at the designated time.

   The toasted roll makes all the difference since Tadian can sometimes over sauce/dress their sandwiches. Even though they say that "Thai peanut sauce" is on this sandwich; I tend to think of this as a pseudo Banh Mi because of the pickled carrots, cucumbers, and cilantro. The jalapenos are a must because the amount of bread can really tone down the flavors. Still, it's a pretty good sandwich.

The young lady who works at Tadian is also very nice.....and my package is usually waiting on the counter or just being placed on the counter when I arrive.

Tadian Cafe
5955 Mira Mesa Blvd. 
San Diego, CA 92121

Gourmet Artisan:

Been going here since I noticed the place in the same stripmall as SuperNatural. Things have been a bit inconsistent over my visits, especially with the "parmesan garlic and truffle fries"....which at times did not have any of the above on it or have been really limp even when picking up on time. And these days there's a $3 upcharge if you want the fries. It used to be included.

At first, I thought I'd order a burger, which I thought wasn't too bad on my last visit, but decided on the Prosciutto Sandwich instead....since this was going to be a "sandwiches" post. GA sends you texts in addition to a confirmation email. Though I'm not sold on getting a text telling me my sandwich is ready as I'm already walking to the shop at the designated time. Though everything was ready to go when I walked in. The guy working here is also quite friendly.

 The fries were nicely friend and still crisp when I got back to the office. And there's garlic and parmesan....with a light drizzle of truffle oil on them. I do prefer the toasted French roll AG used to use before to the ciabatta, which doesn't seem to hold up quite as well. Granted, this isn't a super-stuffed sandwich, but I prefer proportion, and other than having too much mayo, this was fine. Though this was my least favorite sandwich....I guess I come here for the fries?

Gourmet Artisan
7094 Miramar Rd. 
San Diego, CA 92121

SuperNatural Sandwiches: 

Well, SuperNatural and me go way back to 2013 and the days in the now defunct San Diego Public Market. So, I was quite happy when they opened their first brick and mortar shop on Miramar, fairly close to my office.

Some interesting things about ordering online form SS......first, when placing your order, there's an automatic 40 minute wait; at least that's always what I've encountered. The thing being.....you'll then get get notified that your order is ready, usually in 15 minutes....so there's the fire drill of rushing to your car and heading to pick up your order. Not cool if you've got a call or planning to use that 40 minute window. And then, your order is behind the counter, so you have to wait in line...on this visit there were only two people ahead of me, but it adds to your time. Really, for me, it's not a big deal if I'm ordering a salad or some other sandwich than my favorite, the Siren.

All that sauce will make the bread get kinda soggy.

Add to that some fries, which I really like when hot, but not so much when it gets cold....

   Well, you get the point, right? So maybe I just gotta order in person when getting the Siren and/or fries? You know, its been my experience with SuperNatural over the years, that they're usually ahead of the curve. So maybe they'll figure out some great process for their online ordering?

SuperNatural Sandwiches
7094 Miramar Rd
San Diego, CA 92121

So, now it's your turn.

Have you made online ordering a permanent process? And what are some of your favorites....just asking "for a friend" of course!

Comments

[kat]

40 minute wait?! :(

[Kirk]

Well, that's what it says when you order....and then suddenly you get a text saying your order is ready and have to rush and get it Kat!

[Sandy]

I've been ordering online for Menya Ultra. You can specify uncooked noodles for to go ramen, but the last time I ordered, I couldn't find the option.

[Kirk]

Hi Sandy - I haven't been to Menya since they ran out of their Tonkotsu a few months back. I see that "fresh noodles" are an optino from the Clairemoent location with the Tonkotsu DIY home kit. And uncooked for the Tonkotsu Ajitama.

[Soo]

I online order at Jersey Mike's.

[Joy]

The pandemic has really shifted the way we eat. On a few occasions I’ve gone to pick up food without pre-ordering, and even though the place is empty when I get there, the employees are frenzy-prepping food orders almost to the point of running into each other behind the counter. The proverbial line out the door is there, just in a different way. I’m curious to see what becomes of the balance - the convenience and increasing normality of online ordering, and the importance of stopping and taking a few moments to breathe during the day.

[Junichi]

I went to Supernatural on Saturday right when they opened. The nice gal told me about a 15 minute wait for my food. I was surprised when it came out in under 10. Nessie hit the spot!

[C]

Love the service at Marketplace Deli in Hillcrest. 20 minute window and always ready, and correct, when I get there. Parking can be challenging, but if I'm just a little patient, at noon, someone is always leaving, opening up a spot in their own lot.

[Derek R]

I've been really craving a good cheesesteak, sadly SD seems to be lacking in good cheesesteaks. I've been really craving Pop's lately. We don't do sandwiches often but when we do, it's been mostly from K's or Pomas in OB.

[Loren]

Online ordering has been a big thing for me just to make life easier; I do it pretty much whenever I'm off to order lunch at my office or dinner for my family and I do find that people goof on orders alot less when its written down via the interwebs versus a phone call. So yeah its definitely become a permanent thing in my life and I find myself getting rather annoyed if I can't order online or the gremlin in my computer/server decides you can't order online after you start. And yeah Uber eats et al the cost is so astronomical in fees it becomes difficult to justify unless i'm just super lazy (or when I was down with COVID that helped).

As to where I find the best results for ordering online; probably the Grater Greens/Grilled Cheese locations, Greenhaus has been wonderful for that, and Rakiraki/Yasai are phenomenal for ordering online. But heck you introduced me to some of those :)

[Kirk]

That's good Soo......but Jersey Mike's is pretty fast anyway, right?

When I do drop by to do takeout, I'll often order and ask when to return and go do other "stuffs" these days Joy. Of course, I can't really do that on days I work....

Awesome Junichi! Though I've gone right when they've opened on a weekday and had to wait 30 minutes for my sandwich....which is why ordering online seems so much better.

That sounds great Cathy! Glad you have a regular stop that works so well.

Man, I haven't had a cheesesteak in ages Derek! Now you got me wanting one!

I think that one of the good things that has come out of the pandemic is the availability of online ordering Loren. And yes, there seems to be less screwed up orders when you do it online....after all, it's defined clearly.

[Dereck]

Cheesesteak.. I want cheesesteak!

[Kirk]

OK....now you got me craving a cheesesteak Dereck! (And Derek!)

[Loren]

Mmm-Yoso meet up at Gaglione Bros

[Kirk]

Lol Loren!