Shirley Eat More Sunshine

Stopped in after receiving a raving recommendation about this spot from a good friend, who also happens to be a chef at a renowned restaurant! To my surprise, Shirley is located about 10 mins walking distance from my home. I must have walked past this place a hundred times, but never noticed it…which is unfortunate for me, considering how tasty the food is! Since it was my first time, I decided to order just one sandwich: The Salami Mozzarella Sandwich. To my surprise, it was AMAZING! The flavors were exceptional and I could tell that the sandwich was thoughtfully crafted, with only the finest of ingredients. In addition to sandwiches, there was an assortment of freshly baked pastries on display. The menu changes with the seasons, allowing the owner/chef to showcase a variety of creations. The owner wasn’t the friendliest…but I suppose I can turn a blind eye in exchange for a delicious sandwich. (Ever watch the Seinfeld episode, The Soup Nazi? Lol!) The place appears to be take-out only, unless I misunderstood, which wouldn’t be the first time, lol! Definitely make an effort to visit Shirley Eat More Sunshine, as I’m sure it will quickly become a favorite destination of yours!

We just moved to the neighborhood and we are obsessed. The sandwiches are like no other sandwiches. The focaccia is home made. The ingredients are fresh, seasonal and locally sourced. It’s not just a sandwich, it’s sandwich art! There are some rules, such as no eating inside, but they enhance the experience: Davis Sq. is a delightful place to eat outside. We have yet to eat every item on the menu, but nothing has disappointed so far. Excellent coffee and kombucha are also on offer.

I LOVE the sandwiches at Shirley's. The focaccia buns are so fresh and chewy and flavorful, and all of the toppings are fresh and chosen with care. I particularly love the house-made pickles on some of the sandwiches. My top Shirley's sandwiches of all time were 1) cheddar and salami with giardiniera pickles and 2) bacon, cheddar, and peaches. Since the menu changes so frequently there are always new options to try - though sometimes I'm sad that I can't get the same thing I got before! The only sandwich I've tried here that I didn't love was a tofu banh mi which was too heavy on the tahini-based sauce. I recommend going on the early side as sometimes certain sandwiches start to run out before noon on weekends.

Absolutely obsessed with these sandwiches! The bread is out of this world, always fresh and made from scratch. Every ingredient is local and and chosen with great care. Definitely check this place out for lunch next time you’re in Davis!

One of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had, and I don’t say that lightly! I had one of the seasonal sandwiches, with peach and Camembert. The bread is just out of this world, and the flavor combination was so creative. I think all of the sandwiches would be incredible because the bread was perfect. I also got a biscuit which was heavenly. I’ll definitely be back to try more.

Most sandwich places treat egg sandwiches as an afterthought--after all, what's simpler than an egg & cheese? At Shirley's, they've elevated it to the next level. A baked egg with a yolk that is still moist without running down your hand; a tasteful amount of cheese and aioli that adds to the savory and creamy flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients; high quality, rich focaccia that stands on its own, but serves as a great bun; and lastly, the pickles! I love pickles in egg sandwiches so I was pleasantly surprised to see pickled radish slices listed in the ingredients. And it ties everything together so well. I'd order a jar of these on their own. Sweet with a little bit of that vinegar kick without being too overstated. I also got the cold brew, which was in my opinion perfectly made, and the tahini chocolate cookie, which was crispy and rich.

The sandwich was fine, not good enough to justify the attitude of the woman in this store. My husband and I wanted to split a sandwich just to try the place and we got the cheesy focaccia sandwich. My husband doesn’t eat bacon and I do, so I asked for the bacon to be on the side and the woman said no. I asked if we could just get it without bacon and she said no. When I explained my husband doesn’t eat bacon she was like “get another sandwich then” and the only other sandwich sounded gross so I was like whatever we will pick the bacon off ourselves (which seemed to upset her). When I asked if the sandwiches were premade she said “no, we make them fresh but we don’t allow modifications because the sandwiches taste best the way we designed them” which I thought was a hilarious excuse for not being willing to simply omit bacon on a sandwich. Iced coffee we got was way too sweet and the sandwich was mid at best. Nothing to write home about and honestly was nowhere near the hype we thought given this woman’s strong attitude about her sandwich. I’m fine with bad customer service if the place can back up their claims but like girl, see the light this is just a basic breakfast sandwich you could get anywhere. Shirley needs to eat her own sunshine and touch some grass. Please realize if you truly wanted the best tasting fresh sandwich, you’d provide seating for guests so they don’t have to eat a cold sandwich when they walk it home.

I regret my visit to this shop. My partner and I stopped in to try a sandwich and a drink. The man who took our order was friendly, but the woman making sandwiches was so unwelcoming that I won't return and can not recommend it. After receiving our food, we paused because it was rainy. We wanted to let the drink cool and have a bite of the sandwich. Before I could even get the sandwich out of the bag it was served in, I was interrupted and told they were take it only. Confused, we decided to leave. Not before an extremely passive-aggressive interaction with the woman, where we tried to get a sleeve for the hot tea. We stood on the street in the rain in front of the building to wait for a friend and ate. The bacon breakfast sandwich was a bit messy but very good. Once finished with the sandwich, I went back inside to throw away my trash(a paper bag that they gave me, the sandwich paper and a few napkins that they gave me). I was quickly interrupted and told that their trash was for straw wrappers only. Bad business, bad service, the sandwich was not worth the experience.

Update What We Ate: DISCO Cheese-y Focaccia Breakfast Sandwich, loaded seasonal fruit biscuit, Cheese-y Focaccia Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, seasonal cheesy fruity sandwich, various fun drinks Would Recommend? Yes Continues to be an absolute delight and a routine treat. Online ordering is seamless. The square nearby is our standard spot to unwrap and enjoy. The sheer tastiness and seasonal surprises keep us coming back.

Sandwiches are fine if a bit pricey for what they are. Low review score because like another reviewer here, I've had the most egregious service experience from the owner who got upset with me for picking up a phone call in her shop. She said she "didn't have a sign up about it yet, but this isn't a cafe where you can take phone calls." She then told me she'd make an exception for me today given how hot it was so she didn't ask me to step outside. I'm so glad she deigned to let me sit in her air conditioning while I waited 10 minutes for my $40 sandwich order. Needless to say, I won't be coming back. Btw, she also has signs that say she won't make changes or substitutions to her sandwiches, and she won't cut the sandwich. I don't think I've ever met a store owner who seems to dislike paying customers so much.

I tried my first sandwich at Shirley today after months of wanting to stop by (but seeing it closed almost every time... I think they've recently expanded the amount of days per week they are open). Today we were in luck, and my husband and I ordered the lemongrass meatball bahn mi to split. My rating of four stars in based on two things: 1) cost for the amount of food. The sandwich with tax and tip was $16. We realize this is not Subway and we are okay with paying extra for a quality sandwich from a small business... however, the sandwich itself was a bit small. It looked like it had already been in cut in half. (Photo below). 2) cost for amount of toppings. Was the bread heavenly? YES- as described in other reviews. But there were very few meatballs and veggies, and both of us wanted more of the substance in the sandwich. The flavors were delicious and everything was perfect... meatballs were not dry, carrots had a nice crunch, all were tasty. We ate the sandwich and agreed it tasted great but probably would visit this place more to grab a scone or cookie, since to order our own sandwiches next time would be over $30 all in.

Really great sandwiches and super cute presentation! We tried the bacon-y grilled cheese and the vegan banh mi - both were tasty although I was a little disappointed the banh mi wasn't more traditionally made...until I tried the bread it was on (focaccia I believe?). It was DELICIOUS. Order online for pick up was super fast and our sandwiches were done way ahead of time which was great. I loved the way the grilled cheese was wrapped, perfect for a picnic! The vegan sandwich was left ends open which was cute until all the sauce started dripping everywhere... Overall I'm glad this little shop opened up in Davis and I can't wait to go back and try everything on the rotating menu!

Amazing food, and lovely service! The woman behind the counter was very attentive and helpful and prepared the food very quickly. I got the herbed chicken sandwich, which is truly incredible, and the bread is to die for. Great flavors, great texture, would put it up there with any top-notch sandwich place in the area. I'll definitely be returning!

Overall, I'm glad I randomly stumbled on this place on my walk to Davis Square. I'll be reviewing the Food, Service, and Ambience in this review. Food: I ordered the Salami Cheese Sandwich, the Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookie (which was exclusive to the day I went), and the Iced Strawberry Mocha. I really enjoyed the Salami Cheese because of the break which the person made from scratch as well as the green garlic aioli (yum!). The Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookie was ok, the flour used seemed to have a more stale taste, but that may have been because I got the cookie close to when the store was closing. The Iced Strawberry Mocha was a good thing to try, but I probably won't get it again since the consistency was more on the watery rather than creamy side; however- the flavor was there! Though it was more on the mocha side and a very slight hint of strawberry. Service: There was only one person on staff, but it wasn't busy at all and they seemed nice. Ambiance: Cute little place! I love the personal touches of the owner's grandmother, but the place still has a modern yet welcoming look to it. There's also side table where you can munch on your food if you want to.

Absolutely love this place. Food is incredible. Every single ingredient is picked with care, and it really shows. Everything on the sandwiches is super high quality. And the bread/baked goods..... just wow. The menu rotates so there's always something new to try. So glad this shop came to Davis!

Ive ordered from this sandwich shop 2 times as I like to support small businesses. Sandwiches are ok 2.5/5 and focaccia is great 5/5! Today I went in to support/order a sandwich and focaccia. I don't like Mayo/aioli so asked for the sandwich without it. I was told "no I can't do that" that the sandwich comes as is on the menu (although it's made fresh when you order). Then I asked for just a small amount and was told "this isn't a build your own". Unfortunately I decided not to order. Dave's fresh pasta happily made my sandwich without mayo and their cookies are my favorite!

If you resonate with the statement "bread is the most important part of a good sandwich" then this is the place for you. The first time I took a bite into Shirley's focaccia, I couldnt hold back the "Holy Beep! This is some of the best bread I've ever had!" And I don't say that lightly- I am a bread fiend. But that focaccia is crispy and buttery on the outside and so fluffy on the inside. For me, nothing short of mind blowing. The menu changes daily and always has fresh and in season ingredients. At first, this bummed me out since I couldn't always immediately satisfy my craving for the smoked chicken salad, but all the sandwiches I've had are excellent. I love the understated simplicity of the ingredients - 2-3 ingredients per sandwich lets each part shine without having to compete. The camembert isn't taking a back seat to those tomatoes. I've been coming almost weekly since they opened and the owner is a lovely person. Absolutely recommend checking this out if you're in the area!

Excellent shop for sandwich take-out. Crispy bacon & cheese was terrific, nice aioli with some spice, and WOW the bread. Unique non-alcoholic drinks menu, I had the rhubarb-basil soda, made in-house like everything else they do. Nice little side salad too. I'll be back for cookies next time. Five stars, strong recommend.

This sandwich shop/bakery has some delicious and very creative sandwiches. I had an eggplant sandwich on focaccia with a delicious sauce. And the caramel roll for dessert was to die for. There's no place to sit down here, but it's very close to the benches and tables at statue park in Davis Square.

Similar to another review I had a disappointing experience here and won't be coming back. Food - I had a breakfast sandwich that while decent, was nowhere near worth $14 for such a small amount, the size of your fist. The bread should have stood out but came soggy and the egg was cold (not long after it was prepared). You can easily get similar/better food at revival or nine bar espresso a few steps away, definitely for more fair prices. Service - this was a big issue. I probably had the most rude experience I've ever felt in a food establishment, it was unbelievable. She was curt and gave grief while ordering and picking up, truly haven't seen this anywhere else. The owner does not respect customers. I would have let the sub par food slide as I know it's tough managing a small business. But this behavior was so egregious, I had to share. Definitely not coming back and hope they make some changes or keep the owner away from customers and hire professional staff that cares.

Food is delicious, just wish they didn't run out of options by noon on the weekends. The bread on the sandwiches is very soft and yummy.

I was excited to try Shirley because the breads are all baked in house and the menu looked great. I went with the Meaty All-day breakfast sandwich. The price point was a bit higher than what is offered at other local shops in the area but I am always willing to spend a little more especially if it means supporting another local business. I am disappointed to be writing a less than stellar review. I picked up my order within 10 minutes of ordering online and my sandwich was completely cold. Every single component of the sandwich was cold, from the biscuit, egg, to the cheddar cheese (with the exception of the sausage which was mildly lukewarm). I understand if other sandwiches are cold (especially ones involving cold cuts) but a breakfast sandwich should probably be more on the warmer side and it really ruined the sandwich for me. I think the temperature also resulted in a more bland sandwich. I don't want to be completely negative as the biscuit was great and it is clear the owner is passionate about baking a good product with quality ingredients but the Somerville baking/sandwich scene is a crowded market (i.e Vinal, 3 Figs, Revival, Dave's, etc) and if they are going to price a breakfast sandwich at $12.50 (not including tax or tip), then it probably should not be cold and on the blander side. Sadly, I am disappointed but hopeful the owner can figure it out.

Best cinnamon rolls I've had in my life. Stop what you are doing and go get one. Amazing bahn mi. sandwich bread is delicious. Love this place

A sunny, inviting bakery with the most amazing seasonal, local, quality ingredients with a thoughtful, inventive menu that changes daily. Chef Kat is a super talented and friendly Boston native that brings years of experience working in various kitchens on the West Coast and overseas to her delightful bakery. Must go and try for yourself!

OH MY GOSH!! First of all Kat was sooo nice. She is the master chef behind the genius of Shirley. She was so thankful for us coming to check out her little shop. But how could we not?? It said "bacon grilled cheese" on the sign. And let me tell you this one was to DIE for. The bread was thick slices and tasted sooo fresh. None of that store bought stuff. This was a nice local sourdough. The cheese was perfectly gooey and the bacon was such a nice touch that added the right flavor. This is such a cute little shop and they have so many great menu options! The menu is always changing so there's always something new to try.

Everything I have eaten from Shirley is unbelievably good. Soft bread, creative sandwiches, flavorful weekend pastries. I find myself thinking about when I can go next and looking at the changing daily menu, wanting to try all of it!! I don't live nearby and work on the weekends, but I have made the trek several times on a Saturday morning for an herby breakfast sandwich! Cannot recommend enough.

Incredible!!! Everything that I have had here has been scrumptious!!! Today we got veggie pot pies! OMG! Do delicious!!! Last time I got the grilled cheese with pickles. Wow!!! Don't sleep on this awesome place!!! Triple yum!!!!

She had me with the brisket grilled cheese, but every sandwich I've had at Shirley Eat More Sunshine has been a transformative experience. Kat has parlayed her high-end restaurant experience into a unique and quite wonderful take-out experience. A Davis Square must go-to!

The seasonal brioche bun with sweet potato, caramelized onion, and curry spice is not to be missed! A very flavorsome and satisfying combination, anchored by a delightfully soft, chewy bun. The folks operating the shop were delightful and kindly let me order right as they were closing. I'll certainly be back to try one of their unique sandwiches or beverages!