Photo by Alyse Horn
Modern Café rejoices in taking the Sandwich Week crown for a second year. The restaurant won by one vote, with Chateau Café & Cakery coming in second place.

By Alyse Horn

On Thursday, June 26 at the Priory Grand Hall, Modern Café reclaimed the Northside Leadership Conference Sandwich Week crown for a second consecutive year.

Modern Café’s Irene Zotis said she is “very honored that people have been supporting us and that people like out sandwiches.”

Zotis said that one of her employees came up with the sandwich on his own a while ago, but it wasn’t for Sandwich Week or on the menu.

When trying out different sandwiches to submit for Sandwich Week, she “thought [his] was the only one that was different, that people [would] know and something that nobody else would have.”

Up against 13 other restaurants, Modern Café won with its Gyro Melt that consisted of grilled American cheese, onions, tomatoes, hot pepper rings and gyro meat on French white bread.

Zotis said the sandwich is not yet on the menu, but will be soon and can be ordered at the restaurant.

Originally there were 15 participating restaurants, but BZ Bar & Grill had to cancel.

The first runner up was Chateau Café & Cakery, who lost by one vote to Modern Café, but won the People’s Choice Award.

Zotis said she felt like Modern Café had won for a third year in a way, because the restaurant won the People’s Choice during the first Sandwich Week.

Each sandwich was voted on with consideration to overall taste, quality of ingredients, uniqueness and creativity, and presentation.

Sandwich Sampler attendees were able to try all 14 sandwiches and then text in their vote. Modern Café won by being the sandwich with the highest total score based on 50 percent participation vote and 50 percent judges points.

This year’s celebrity judges were WQED-FM’s Artistic Director Jim Cunningham, “The Gyro Queens” Irene Karavolos and Fanny Kostos, and former Pirates pitcher Grant Jackson. WQED’s Rick Sebak was also an honorary judge for the night.

Beano’s Sauce and Condiments, Wigle Whiskey and Rita’s Italian Ice each had its own stand and gave out free samples to attendees. Penn Brewery also provided the beer for the event.

The NSLC Sandwich Week recently won the Best New Program or Idea Promoting the Northside at the Northside Northshore Chamber of Commerce 2014 Business Awards Luncheon.

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