Super Pan Latino Sandwich Shop

I recently had a chance to visit the sandwich shop so many seem to be raving about, Super Pan in Poncey-Highland.  In a little space just behind his popular tapas restaurant Pura Vida, chef Hector Santiago and his staff have been whipping up specialty sandwiches for the intown lunch crowd since earlier this summer.  After reading various reports from fellow food bloggers, critics and general Atlanta food fanatics, I had been dying to see what all the fuss was about.  One problem:  Super Pan is only open for weekday lunch service (Tuesday through Friday) and my half-hour lunch break and (former) Alpharetta work locale made it virtually impossible for me to stop by and sample the goods.  When I was fortunate enough to have a rare week off before beginning a new job in Buckhead, I was determined to pay a visit to Super Pan to check it out.

I was immediately impressed by the prompt and friendly service.  I arrived towards the latter part of lunch service and fortunately did not have to deal with the long lines and wait times others have experienced.  On this visit, I ordered Super Pan's version of the Cuban media noche sandwich, the Medio Dia.

The Medio Dia

I loved everything about this sandwich: the toasted pineapple "submarino" roll, the gooey melted Swiss cheese covering the slightly sweet Niman Ranch ham, juicy roasted Berkshire pork and crispy pork skin.  Habanero mustard and chayote pickle round out the sandwich and give it a nice little kick.  Of the Super Pan sandwiches I've tried so far, the Medio Dia is my hands down favorite and the one that I'll order on every return visit.

Because I wasn't sure when I'd be able to visit again, I ordered two more sandwiches "for the road": the BBQ Rib Bolillo and the Coca de Jamón y Queso.  The bolillo is quite substantial, loaded (and I mean loaded) with tender adobo beef rib and topped with fresh grated carrot, onions and cilantro.  A deliciously sweet and spicy orange chipotle BBQ sauce was served on the side; I was able to add just enough to suit my tastes.  Even upon re-heating a few hours later for my evening meal, this sandwich was still fantastic.

The Jamón (with Serrano ham, manchego cheese, arugula, date marcona almond butter and piquillo pepper agridulce) was also quite tasty.  However, it ranks third among the sandwiches I've tried so far and I don't see myself ordering it again on a future visit. 

Yes, these sandwiches are far from "cheap eats".  The least expensive sandwich, the Smoked Tofu Buns (a veggie version of their smoked Pork Belly Buns) comes in at six dollars and their most expensive sandwiches are twelve bucks.  However, when you consider the quality of ingredients that go into these sandwiches, you really do get what you pay for.  Not only are the ingredients top notch, the folks at Super Pan don't skimp on them either!  Speaking for myself, I felt like I got more than my money's worth and will have no problem forking over another eleven bucks for a Medio Dia or twelve for the BBQ bolillo (I'm looking forward to trying those pork belly buns as well).  Obviously it's not something I would eat every day or even every other day (for various reasons), but I can see Super Pan becoming my off day "splurge".  A Medio Dia washed down with a ice cold bottle of Mexican Coke is my idea of a perfect little lunchtime treat.

My lone complaint:  I really wish Super Pan was open for Saturday lunch service.  Even though I now work a lot closer to Poncey-Highland, it's still not close enough for me to swing by for an occasional weekday lunch (pouts).  But if you're fortunate enough to work close to the neighborhood and haven't made it to Super Pan yet, do give them a try and see what you think.

Super Pan Latino Sandwich Shop

1057 Blue Ridge Avenue NE (just behind Pura Vida)

Atlanta, GA  30306

(404) 477-0379

http://superpanlatinosandwichshop.com

Open Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 AM-2:30 PM



Taste of Atlanta 2010

Blessed with a rare Saturday off, I was one of many who flocked to Tech Square for the annual Taste of Atlanta festival this weekend.  This was my first time experiencing the food fest since it moved to its current location and I had a great time.  I've never been much for huge crowds, but I was able to maneuver through the sea of festival attendees fairly easily. 

I decided at the last minute to "splurge" on a VIP ticket.  Although I missed out on the VIP swag bags (that's what I get for running late), I did enjoy some of the other perks.   Always up for a tasty cocktail, I sampled a mojito made with VeeV Acai Spirit that was absolutely fantastic. Also under the VIP tent was one of my favorite "tastes" at the event: a coconut panna cotta with Malibu rum, mango gelee and caramelized pineapple salsa served by Paces 88 American Bistro (so good that I have to admit to having a second "helping"). 

 

Foodie TV: Top Chef Las Vegas Preview-Restaurant Wars!

Ah, Restaurant Wars.  A staple of every season of Top Chef, and I'm sure we can count on Las Vegas to bring the drama!  In this preview from bravotv.com, we have conflict between Mike V. and Robin (shocking, I know).

I'm still not over Tre Wilcox getting clipped in season three's Restaurant Wars-here's hoping my fave Kevin Gillespie won't be this season's casualty.  Top Chef Las Vegas airs tonight at 10 PM ET/PT on Bravo.  Oh, and don't forget to check out AJC "food dude" John Kessler's Top Chef episode recaps on his Food and More blog-always a good read!

Foodie Events: Taste of Atlanta plus a fundraiser @ Woodfire Grill this weekend!

The 8th annual Taste of Atlanta outdoor food festival returns this weekend at a new location: Tech Square!  It's a great opportunity to sample goodies from over eighty Atlanta area restaurants.  The event will also feature live music, the interactive Kids Avenue cooking stage (sponsored by Amica Insurance), and the Farm to Festival area which features cooking demos from local chefas and a farmers' market full of locally grown produce and food products.  Top Chef finalists Richard Blais (FLIP Burger Boutique) and Carla Hall will also be making appearances on the main cooking stage this weekend.  The two-day Taste of Atlanta event begins today and runs through Sunday, October 11.  It's too late to purchase advance and VIP tickets, but general admission tickets are available for $30 at the event.  Event parking is available through several lots around Tech Square, but attendees are encouraged to take MARTA to the event (exiting at either the North Avenue or Midtown rail stations).  For more information (and to view directions and a map of the festival area), please visit the official site at http://tasteofatlanta.net/

Woodfire Grill will be hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Love Is Love Farm this Sunday, October 11 at 6 PM.  The farm suffered severe damage during the recent floods we experienced in the Metro Atlanta area and needs assistance to rebuild.  The event begins with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner at 6:30 PM.  The dinner will feature a menu of four courses (with wine pairings) created by co-owner/executive chef Kevin Gillespie and co-owner Nicholas Quinones.  The cost is $100 per person.  "We are strong supporters of Love is Love Farm's mission to provide local, organic products and we get a large portion of our produce from their farm, so it is our goal to raise $10,000 to help get them up and running again. During the event, guests will also have the opportunity to donate additional funds directly to Love is Love Farm to help with the reconstruction process."  What a great opportunity to sample Chef Kevin's cuisine and support a worthy cause-I so wish that I could attend!  Please call 404-347-9566 to reserve a spot at the fundraiser (reservations are required for this event). 

Woodfire Grill 
1782 Cheshire Bridge Rd
Atlanta, GA 30324
website

Love Is Love Farm website

Foodie TV: Man v. Food visits Hawaii & Top Chef Las Vegas tonight @10 ET/PT

I don't know why the tv scheduling gods must put two of my favorite shows in the same Wednesday night time slot.  Thankfully Bravo re-airs Top Chef Las Vegas immediately following the first 10 o'clock airing, allowing me to watch Man v Food (and the awesome Adam Richman) on Travel Channel first!

This week finds our boy in Hawaii taking on a stack of ginormous, manhole-sized blueberry pancakes.  This is going to be a tough one-he's really going to have to fight "the itis" when those pancakes settle in his stomach like a ton of bricks. Go Adam! (hopeless foodie tries to throw up the MVF hand sign thing Adam does...fails miserably)

Meanwhile, Top Chef  Las Vegas continues tonight as the cheftestants try their best to impress Joël Robichon, Daniel Boulud, Top Chef Masters finalist Hubert Keller, Laurent Tourondel and Jean Joho.  I'll be rooting for my ATL boys (Kevin, Eli and Hector)!  Who will pack their knives and go?  Probably not a Voltaggio brother. Yeah, I know I went out on a limb with that one.

From Bravo TV-Last week's eliminated cheftestant Preeti shares her thoughts on life in the house: