LOCAL EATS: SANDWICH MASTERZ

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Trust me, this is a story about a sandwich, I promise! 😉 

FORCED RESET

I’m not usually one for New Year’s resolutions, but the last few weeks have caused me to reconsider.

I’d been feeling run-down throughout December and, true to form and habit, I just kept pushing through. Christmas finally arrived - the one day when life as we know it universally shuts down - and my gift was some sort of flu bug. I don’t stop unless forced, and this forced me to rest (well physically at least, my brain never shuts off).

I’m the type who drives with the metaphorical check-engine light on until the wheels practically fall off. Seeing as I’m still not feeling 100% after several weeks, let’s just say…

I GOT THE MEMO

Something needs to change. And that realization led me here. To this. To writing about a sandwich and a mid-day adventure, on a Monday, no less.

I typically treat every Monday like New Year’s Day. It’s my most invigorating, focused, and productive day of the week. So not sitting at my desk and pounding away at the keyboard all day - on a MONDAY - is actually a big deal for me.

To be clear, I love working. But it’s also my addiction. And we all know what unchecked addictions tend to do. For me, it’s led to two past afflictions of adrenal insufficiency, and complete breakdown & burnout (maybe more than once 😅). Needless to say, I never want to experience any of that again.

I’m intent on turning over …

A NEW LEAF

And I figured this fresh start might actually stick if I held myself accountable by disguising my leisure as work. You know, kill two things on the to-do list at once.

Which officially brings us to a brand-new series I’m calling…

I’ve had this idea bouncing around in my head for well over a year now. The concept is simple: I grab a sub (or another easily transportable meal) and take it somewhere outdoors to enjoy like a normal human in the middle of the day (or evening, as was the case today). And then I share the adventure to the “hidden gem” location with you too!

Fresh air. Real food. A change of scenery. Radical, I know.

FIRST STOP: SANDWICH MASTERZ

My inaugural Subs in the Wild adventure starts with Sandwich Masterz, a spot I stumbled upon thanks to my Find Me Gluten Free app, and honestly, what a PERFECT way to kick things off.

A great sandwich, eaten outside, on a Monday afternoon evening… And hour and a half later, I’m thanking my lucky stars for ‘making’ me do this! I’m already feeling so much better! I didn’t even realize how much I needed this!

Now, let’s get into the meat of this story…

SANDWICHES FOR EVERY DIET!

Having to eat gluten-free is torture for me. Food is my love language and there are very few places I can eat. Imagine my surprise when I went seeking something different and found Sandwich Masterz and their 1,001 (maybe more!) sandwich options. How have I never heard of this place before?!

⭐️ Not only do they have gluten-free bread, but they also have vegan options, including vegan mayo, vegan cheese & MEATLESS meats, a veggie meatball sub - and even vegan cream cheese (that I’m just seeing now)! Check out…

THE MENU

They have paper menus at the shop. When I told the fella (more on him below) that I needed to go get my classes so I could read it, he handed me a magnifying glass. I got a kick out of that!

You can access their full menu online here. If you hover over the word “MENU” on the top right, there will be an option to look at the menu by category, like:

• Roast Beef & Prime Rib

• Salami & Pepperoni

• Turkey

• Veggie

• Vegan

And, at least 1,001 more options!!!

MY SAMMIE

Actually, I didn’t need the menu because I arrived knowing exactly what I wanted! I had been dreaming about it all day!

I ordered: roast beef, pepperoni, black olives, red onion, on gluten free bread (which is delicious, and sourced from Canada), with extra mayo (because GF bread needs it). Total: $15.87.

Note: all subs are served hot (see photo below). I ordered just the bread toasted and the filling cold.

There are only two sizes of subs, the only difference being the large comes with 1 pound of meat and the small comes with ½ pound of meat. I meant to order the small but the owner, Cas (“Caz”), wanted to gift me the sandwich so he input it as large.

**Note: I always pay my own way and declined the offer for a free sandwich. This keeps my reviews authentic and I know you appreciate it! (After eating mine, in the future I will order the ½ pound as I like to taste the toppings too! 1 pound is a lot of meat and just too much for me.)

BEE•HIND THE BUSINESS

Lucky for me, the owner, Cas (“Caz”), was taking orders the day I visited. Well… sort of. He quickly clarified that his wife, Dorina, is actually the owner because, as he put it, “Isn’t everything the wife’s when you’re married?” He’s got a sense of humor, that one.

When I told him I was shocked I’d never heard of their shop before, he replied dryly, “Well, that’s because we’ve only been in business 12 years.” I laughed - thinking he was joking - but he wasn’t. In the sandwich world, he explained, that still makes them relatively new. For comparison, Subway has been around for decades (I checked - it’s actually 60 years!).

Cas shared that the entire premise behind opening Sandwich Masterz was simple: he wanted to offer real meat - not processed - more like what you’d find in a classic New York deli.

Mid-conversation, a loyal customer arrives. He’s been coming in every single week since moving to the area six years ago. That kind of consistency tells you everything you need to know.

Back to Cas. After years of running and growing other people’s businesses, he saw an opportunity to do something no one else was doing (and still isn’t) and decided to go all in.

After our chat - and a quick sample of their very real pastrami - I could barely wait to hop in my car and head to Tierra Verde Lake to take myself on a…

PICNIC IN THE PARK

It was such a beautiful evening! Check out that sunset in the background!

However, at this point in the story, I was forcing myself to not just sit in my car and eat. I can’t recall ever in my entire life - except when we lived at the beach - getting food and taking myself on a picnic. Again, thanks to wanting to share this here - and hold myself accountable - I set about finding a place to eat.

There are lots of benches and tables but I wanted to be near the water and found this little, secluded spot on a bench on the dock to be perfect. I had never been to this lake before but I’d heard about it because my son sometimes fishes here. I have a great picture of him and a catfish he caught but he’d kill me if I were to share it now. In fact, forget I even have a son (I actually have 2)… I’m not allowed to mention them. 😆 

Turns out I could write an entire story about this lake, this hidden gem. I will be sharing about it in a future issue of The Buzz. After dinner, I was able to cross a third thing off my list by taking…

A STROLL AROUND THE LAKE

By this time, it was pretty dark so this is the only picture worth sharing. There are hundreds of birds in and around the lake and in the surrounding trees. They were making the craziest noises. It sounded like the jungle!

I took a lap around the lake - 0.5 miles. I intended on walking 2 miles but… take note… there are no restrooms here (and I drank a liter of water with dinner). 🙃 

I also want to note, that even though it was dark, I felt completely safe and there were other people walking and at the park. However, I don’t go anywhere without carrying personal protection, I suggest you do the same. I’ve linked what I use. (Not an affiliate link.)

ALL THE DETAILS

⭐️ You can find Sandwich Masterz in real life at 380 N. Estrella Parkway, Unit A-3, Goodyear, AZ

📲 And on their socials: Instagram &. Facebook

 🦆 I also highly suggest you go have a picnic with with the ducks at Tierra Verde Lake Park in Litchfield Park, AZ. (Again, note, there are no restrooms here.)

VERDICT

Would I go back? Absolutely! I’m going to re-live this little adventure, hopefully LATER TODAY if I can get all my tasks done before the sun goes down.

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