Mean Sandwich
Sandwich shop · Ballard
1510 Leary Wy NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Highlights
Sizable, flavorful sandwiches with unique twists and delicious sides
Sizable, flavorful sandwiches with unique twists and delicious sides
"The logo for Mean Sandwich is a giant open mouth, and it’s an accurate representation of how we look while eating here. The space is small and has that old school deli-counter feel, but the ingredients and flavor combinations are modern—try housemade thick-sliced corned beef with mustard, pickled cabbage, and a fistful of mint, or a standout Italian sub. Everything is made from scratch, down to their bread pudding for dessert (made with day-old buns), and there’s a backyard patio for warm-weather sandwiching." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"A burger’s a sandwich, right? The meat on Mean Sandwich’s version is grass-fed and grass-finished. Choose one or two quarter-pound patties and this Ballard-based shop fills in the rest: American cheese (good old Kraft Singles), onions, mayonnaise, house-made pickles, and house-made mustard on a Tribeca Oven bun. “Skins & Ins” (fried baked potatoes, of sorts) fill out an unforgettable feast. Note that being obsessed with burgers here comes at the cost of missing out on other fantastic offerings like the steak tartare club and an oyster po’boy. Know before you go: It’s a small space and parking is limited, so takeout is probably the move here." - Jay Friedman
"This Ballard spot puts spins on classic sandwiches, and they're plot twists that we don't see coming from a mile away. There’s a bacon club, only it features steak tartare. You’ll find falafel, but in giant patty form topped with harissa beets and smashed on a challah bun. And their take on corned beef is particularly outstanding—it involves thick meaty slabs, tangy pickled cabbage, and practically an entire bushel of fresh mint." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"Your Order: The D.A.M Burger ($18) The D.A.M. Burger holds down the fort as the one and only burger on a menu of great sandwiches at this Ballard shop—and it takes the job very seriously. This double-decker dry-aged patty comes with a glue of “USA chez” (a.k.a american cheese), some sweet vinegary pickles, and a lot of grainy housemade Mean mustard. It’s savory, tangy, a little sweet—and even better with a side of the shop’s salt and pepper potato skins. " - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente
"Mean Sandwich, the acclaimed Ballard counter, offers winners such as the shop’s eponymous sandwich (griddled corned beef, pickled red cabbage, yellow mustard, and fresh mint), oyster po’ boys, and the vegetarian Midnight at the Oasis, with falafel, hummus, harissa beets, and Persian pickles — not to mention a mind-blowing burger." - Eater Staff, Harry Cheadle
