A Slice Above: Broadway Sandwiches
Open now by Coast Hardware
About a week ago, one of my readers told me that Broadway Sandwiches at 260 Broadway Street had opened by Coast Hardware.
This is a relief to locals because the only other real “indy” deli in town is the awesome Wigz Sandwich Shop in the old Charles Wigs location by Rumari, farther south in town. Wigz is fabulous but it can be a schlepp for people who live – or are driving in – on the “other side” of town, North Laguna.
Main Beach visitors to Laguna Beach have got to be thrilled, too, because now - in their direct beeline to the beach -they have a quick-serve deli shop joining the Succulent Roasters coffee shop and the unfathomably delicious Dolce Gelato. Not a bad combo.
In the former Laguna Travel Services location - remember that place?
Looking at this little deli, it’s hard to believe this once was a gem store and, prior to that, a longtime travel agency. William, though, is a general contractor with many connections in Laguna Beach (including Architect Tim Nichol and Zinc former owner John Secretan), and it was those connections who suggested he set up his own counter service shop in Laguna Beach.
”It took nearly four months, but we managed to give this place a whole new look,” said William. Indeed. While historical elements are still in play, William created a sleek, modern look.
Not your usual sandwich shop slices
The husband/wife team worked with a French chef to establish the menu. On first glance, it looks like a straightforward variety of sandwiches. Take a closer look, though, and you’re finding some might fine and unique combos between two slices of bread.
The “Broadway” sandwich offers truffle marscarpone (so yummy).
The “Mama Mia” serves up a super-buttery cured pork mortadella with basil pesto. It’s the first time I’ve seen mortadella in a sandwich deli since the L.A. Market in DTLA.
The “Wise Guy” throws in sun-dried tomatoes and spicy aioli as a fresh burst of flavor against the rich stack of capocollo salume, pancetta and provolone.
Then there’s the “Fuhgeddaboudit,” a hearty gathering of all things Italian, from the creamy strachino cheese to Sicilian sliced olives, mortadella and more.
Even the Grilled Chicken Panini cozies up to a healthy stack of pancetta, ultimately serving up a salty-savory marriage made in heaven.
All in all, there are 14 sandwiches, 2 breakfast sandwiches, a Smoked Salmon Toast and an Avocado Toast and … if you can’t find anything that suits, you can build your own.
From a New York arrival with $700 in his pocket
Decades ago, William arrived in New York with $700 in his pocket and a small backpack containing a change in clothes.
“I didn’t know where I was going to be sleeping, but I just knew that the United States was going to be a bigger opportunity for me. You do it or die, right?”
“At the time, he was fluent in Hebrew, so he began contacting contractors and construction companies. After securing a job with a locksmith company in Manhattan, he still remembers crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on his first employment day and “really seeing” the Manhattan skyline in detail.
“The size of this mammoth city … you feel the power of this place. And you realize why this is THE hub, this is where everyone wants to be.”
He quickly graduated from locksmith worker bee (“Five days scraping off stickers on all the windows on 5th avenue to replace them with the locksmith sticker from my new boss … that was enough for me”). He jumped to journeyman electrician and after two employers, he opened his own business, eventually evolving into general contractor status.
“After awhile, though, Manhattan wears on you,” he said. “So Kelly and I decided to move here to Southern California and we haven’t looked back.
“The key is all about the connections, you make,” he continued. “Build warm relationships … be honest … serve your clients to bring them happiness and well being … and all will be well.”
I have no doubt that all will be well for our new Broadway Sandwiches shop.
Details:
Broadway Sandwiches
260 Broadway St., Laguna Beach
949-394-9152
Open 10-6 daily.