Life isn’t always about rich foods, expensive ingredients and perfection simmering. Sometimes all I’m looking for is a really good sandwich. These are two sandwiches that you can’t go wrong with.

#1 The Vietnamese Sandwich. Back in my Capitol Hill days I would frequent a University District spot for these. Nowadays I treat myself if I’ve stopped by an Asian grocery store (like Uwajimaya). I’m not entirely sure what the meat is, other than it is some type of pork product. Surrounded by picked carrots, cucumber, chile peppers (which I promptly remove), cilantro and other seasonings. All on a softy/crusty French baguette.

#2 The other exciting news in the house is the new discovery that there is a Jimmy John’s sub shop in the aforementioned University District. There is another one in Redmond. Back in grad school my friend Rachel introduced me to the flavors of Jimmy John’s, a franchise sub shop that was all over Chicago. Turkey Tom was my usual, with the occasional Tuna sandwich for some variety. Unlike some franchise spots I frequented in other cities that did not translate when they finally came to Seattle (read: Chipotle), Jimmy John’s tastes just as good when I was a poor grad student as it does today, when I’m at least making enough to pay off my student loans (still, now and forever).

(below is what JJ’s now calls Totally Tuna):