The eighth annual Northside Sandwich Sampler: Buns of Steel took place at the Priory Grand Hall last Thursday. Fig & Ash earned the title of Northside Sandwich King for the second year in a row and Brugge on North came in second place.
Story and photos by Ashlee Green
Ten Northside contenders came together on Thursday, May 9 to compete for the title of Northside Sandwich King. Participants included California Coffee Bar, Fig & Ash, Brugge on North, Penn Brewery, Kaffeehaus, Bier’s Pub, Max’s Allegheny Tavern, Marshall’s, Wheelhouse Restaurant at Rivers Casino, and Mayfly Market & Deli. Fig & Ash won with their Pork Shank Cuban made with Parma capicola, pickles, Gruyere cheese, and spicy mustard on farm bread, and Brugge on North was the runner-up with their Pork Belly Banh Mi made with pickled watermelon radish, cilantro, mint, jalapeno slaw, and sriracha soy aioli on a baguette.
Beer for the event was provided by Penn Brewery and live music by The Red Beans & Rice Combo. Celebrity judges this year included musician Elias Khouri, comedian Suzanne Lawrence, and chef, culinary instructor, and former food writer Olga Watkins. A 50/50 raffle at the event benefited a nonprofit organization called Work, which “accompanies families in Haiti out of poverty through good, dignified jobs.”
Northside Sandwich Week continues through Sunday, May 19. Find a list of participating restaurants and bars as well as their featured signature sandwiches on the Northside Sandwich Week website. Northside Sandwich Week was produced by the Northside Leadership Conference and presented by Highmark.
Guests at the eighth annual Northside Sandwich Sampler pause between bites for a picture.
Mayfly Market & Deli displays Braised Beef Sandwiches.
Mayfly’s Braised Beef Sandwich includes pickled spring vegetables atop a “savory pancake.”
Marshall’s in Spring Garden is known for more than its cigars. Here the team is serving their craft Slovenian Kolbassy.
The Brugge on North Pork Belly Banh Mi, with pickled watermelon radish and jalapeno slaw, is a hit.
Winners of the Sandwich Sampler get to have their names engraved on this specialty trophy.
Chefs from Wheelhouse Restaurant at Rivers Casino are hard at work on their BBQ Pork Sandwiches.
California Coffee Bar debuts Nonnie’s Broccoli Sandwich, a crusty vegetarian hoagie with steamed broccoli and ricotta salata shavings.
Kaffeehaus brings spicy turkey wraps called Wurzig Putenfleish, with artichokes and jalapeno spread.
Max’s Allegheny Tavern serves their Springtime Turkey Apple Delight sandwiches, which are served on grilled Hawaiian sweet bread.
Musical entertainment for the evening is provided by New Orleans-inspired The Red Beans & Rice Combo.
A view from the Priory Grand Hall balcony shows this year’s crowd.
Bier’s Pub displays a Smoked Salmon sandwich, which features pastrami-style cured salmon.
The Bier’s Pub Smoked Salmon sandwich is topped with lemon-garlic aioli.
Beer is provided by Northside’s famous Penn Brewery.
Day Bracey (middle), co-host of the “Drinking Partners” podcast, joins friends to celebrate local food and drinks.
This year’s Northside Sandwich Runner-Up: Brugge on North.
The title of 2019 Northside Sandwich King goes to Fig & Ash for the second year in a row.
