Restaurant of the Month: Sandwich Shop at Torrance Bakery

South Bay Events presents its pick of the month for November 2012!

Lunchtime usually means sandwich time, maybe from a brown bag or a franchise, and is one of the simplest yet most creative ways to spell lunch. What type of sandwich you construct or order really gives insight to the core of human personality. For example, the following list of sandwiches leave endemic connotations about the eater: hoagies, grilled cheese, tuna melts, clubs, ham on rye, peanut butter & jelly, and Submarine sandwiches merely scratch the surface about who we are and what we eat. Most people let Sub Way make their lunch now, but there are some middle of the afternoon gems like Busy Bee´s in San Pedro and Rinaldi´s (Redondo Beach & EL Segundo) that have been putting smiles on the South Bay workforce for quite some time. Approximately three years ago, the Sandwich Shop inside Torrance Bakery moved into its own place and began making delicious subs, clubs, egg salad, and meatloaf sandwiches.

Visit the Sandwich Shop at Torrance Bakery during lunch and you will most likely hear the ladies in the kitchen and at the counter bantering about orders and numbers. The dining area is small but there are some outside tables, so a to-go order is often the right choice. The menu operates on three levels; those who want to keep it simple can order a traditional turkey, roast beef, or tuna salad sandwich. Then the Sandwich Shop offers seven “Signature Sandwiches” that range from about $7-$9. Order an appropriately named El Prado Pollo Sandwich made with grilled chicken breast on a jalapeño cheese roll with cilantro mayo, red onions, lettuce, and tomato. The fresh baked jalapeno cheese roll and cilantro mayo make a nice match. Another signature sandwich worth mentioning is called the Marcelina Meatloaf Sandwich because who has time to bake meatloaf anymore, let alone put it between bread. Besides meatloaf, grilled onions, cheese, ketchup, lettuce, and tomato accompany this rib-sticking sandwich.

Lastly, there are four grilled paninis sandwiches to chose from, one of which has probably never been actually called a paninis before but deserves a little recognition. Since a paninis is largely an American version of an Italian toasted sandwich, The Spaghetti Meatball paninis makes for a great sandwich and distant relative. Basically, spaghetti & meatballs, provolone, and some parmesan cheese get toasted between a fresh baguette.

All the bread at the Sandwich Shop , focaccia, ciabatta, rolls, ryes, sourdough, and baguettes are baked fresh daily. Everyday of the week features a special sandwich like a Fish Po’Boy or Ham & Swiss Paninis. The Sandwich Shop at Torrance Bakery is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.