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The Sandwich: Roasted Cauliflower
Where: G Sandwich Shop, 2201 14th St. NW
Price: $8
Bread: Sesame roll
Stuffings: Roasted cauliflower, pickled vegetables, romesco sauce, and paprika
Thickness: 3.25 inches
Sloppiness level (1–5): 2. A bit of sauce and a few florets escape the confines of the roll when you take a bite, but this sandwich only requires one napkin. It’s best eaten right away; wait too long and it can get slightly soggy.
Pros: Beyond the romesco—that glorious pureed red pepper and nut condiment that improves every food it touches—the pickled vegetables shine because they’re not overwhelmingly sour. The cauliflower, though simply seasoned, achieves a perfectly crisp texture and rightly becomes the star of the sandwich. It’s filling but doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down hours later.
Cons: The roll seems a bit too crunchy for its stuffings and can leave weaker-jawed eaters tired about three-quarters of the way through the sandwich. A slightly softer bread may alleviate this quibble.
Overall score (1–5): 4.5. Omnivores won’t mourn the absence of meat in this Mike Isabella creation, which is about as high a compliment as a vegetarian sandwich can receive. Add a small pinch of salt and a chewier bread, and this work of sandwich art earns a perfect score.
Photo by Caroline Jones