It was meant to be. After two previous Ike's Place drive-bys yielded huge, disheartening lines, we tried again on a sunny Sunday morning at 11am. Not only was the line manageable, but we found a parking space right in front!
We prepared by studying the menu online the night before (a must, as there's only ONE copy of the menu which is passed around to those waiting in line and over 200 sandwiches to choose from). My boyfriend Mark (who insisted on giving himself his own foodie name which we can't even print here, so henceforth shall be abbreviated to MFM) ordered the Superman, while I went with Ike's most famous and popular sandwich, the Menage a Trois.
The lines here are crazy. I've heard that on weekends, folks wait up to 2.5 hours for their food. But 45 minutes later we receive our sandwiches from Ike himself, who after appearances on Man vs. Food and other food shows has become a local celebrity. I was nervous. But he couldn't have been nicer!
My only wish is that they had some kind of seating area so we could devour our sandwiches right away. During the 15 minute ride home they did get soggy. Still, the dutch crunch bread they came on was sweet, chewy, delicious. And Ike's famous "dirty sauce" - was garlicky, creamy with the right amound of kick. The Menage a Trois had tender shredded, almost pulled pork-like chicken, honey, mustard, bbq sauce and a magnificent trio of cheeses - pepperjack, gouda and swiss all melted together beautifully. It was the kind of sandwich that makes you want to lick your fingers long after you've swallowed the last bite.
The Superman (which clocks in at 4lbs, not bad for $13) had roast beef, corned beef, pastrami, turkey, ham, bacon, avocado, salami and jack. MFM called this sandwich "formidible" but "tasty." He gives it a 4.5 taste-wise, but a 3 in the looks department because when he unwrapped his sandwich it looked like a "big ol' mess." This behemoth would satisfy even the hungriest of carnivores. Or a family of four.
** TIPS **
• Get there early, they open at 10am and people start lining up even before then.
• Order everything you can on dutch crunch.
• You can also call in your order, but be prepared to wait 2 hours or more before you can pick it up!
SAMIWICH'S TASTE RATING
6 comments:
I love the fact that you "studied" the menu the night before. But 4 pounds? I'm not sure I eat 4 pounds of food in a day! Did MFM finish the whole thing himself?
He probably could have, but had some help from hungry family members! He's gearing up to try the Kryptonite next...which is everything in the Superman plus mozzerella sticks, jalapeno poppers and onion rings...and clocks in at over 5 lbs!
PS Heard a rumor that if it's your birthday you get your sandwich for free! (Haven't verified this yet...will have to do some more research.)
I gotta go try the Kryptonite!
They also opened a shop in Redwood Shores. I tried it last week and the wait is way too crazy. I waited in line for 15 minutes and then another 20 minutes before the sandwich is ready. They recommend calling ahead, at 8am, to place order for pickup. That is just insane! http://www.yelp.com/biz/ikes-place-redwood-city-2
@Ju - thanks for the reco! Didn't know they had one down there and I'll conveniently be in that area this weekend! Thanks!
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