Mean Sandwich Is a Go-To Takeout Lunch In Ballard | Eater Seattle

"Tucked into the still-industrial edge of Ballard near the Ballard Bridge underpass, I rely on this unique sandwich shop—around since 2017—for consistently great midday takeout built on classic sandwiches with elegant, sometimes playful tweaks. The most distinctive item is the steak tartare sandwich, basically a BLT on rye with a layer of peppery tartare; the warm, earthy bread and that extra texture make it work, and if raw meat squishes you out, it’s easy to ignore between two slices. Owner Dan Crookston’s Hama Hama background shows in the oyster po’ boy: the remoulade is pickly, the oyster’s breading brings crunch, and the oyster itself is satisfyingly meaty. Sandwiches come with “skins and ins,” a cross between home fries and French fries, and I like to grab a few dipping sauces—just know the Calabrian chile mayo packs serious heat, while the ranch with pickled jalapeño is more subdued (or go with ketchup). With limited seating and lousy parking, I treat it as a takeout operation: order online and use the food pick-up spot right outside the door. For dessert, the bread pudding made from day-old bread is a sleeper—take it home, warm it at 350 degrees for a bit, and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream." - Harry Cheadle