The Experts Weigh in on Club Sandwiches

Becky's Diner club sandwich. [Photo: The Blueberry Files]

When talking sandwiches in Maine, The Club is often overshadowed by the lobster roll or Italian. In fact, there's not a single club on Eater Maine's map of Iconic Sandwiches. That doesn't mean there aren't some fine clubs to be found, though.

To find the best from all over the state, Eater Maine posed a question to some of the top local food experts: "What's the best club sandwich in Maine?" While not all the experts are club sandwich aficionados, or even fans of the triple-decker, there are a handful of clubs they suggest seeking out.

Amy Anderson, Maine magazine food editor: "I'd have to say one of the best club sandwiches I've experienced in Maine was at Sips in Southwest Harbor. The sandwich is made with toasted wheat bread and loaded with smoked turkey meat. They add a cranberry spread and mayo, and pile on the bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. The sandwich is cut in fourths, and held together with those long toothpicks with multicolored cellophane. It's a classic sandwich, totally comforting, and absolutely delicious!"

Susan Axelrod, Online Content Producer at the Portland Press Herald and former editor of Eater Maine: "I'm partial to the Ocean Point Club from the East Boothbay General Store. It's turkey AND ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo and Boursin cheese on toasted wheat. The balance of ingredients is what makes it stand out; all of their sandwiches are thoughtfully put together."

Kate McCarty, The Blueberry Files blogger: Kate admits to not remembering the last time she ordered a club sandwich, but went back to her archives and found a good one at Becky's Diner (which offers your choice of turkey, a hamburger, chicken salad, tuna salad, ham or grilled chicken in your club). "And they serve crinkle cut french fries which pretty much wins me over immediately."

Joe Ricchio, Food Coma creator and former Maine magazine food editor: "I rarely order club sandwiches, but I do recall the lobster club at Arundel Wharf being quite good, even though I hate everything else about that place."

Nancy Heiser, Maine Sunday Telegram restaurant critic and writer for DownEast: "I love a club sandwich -- the old-fashioned kind, with white toast, mayo, deli turkey, bacon and under-ripe tomatoes, triple decker, inserted with a colorful, frilly-haired toothpick, the kind you can (or could) get at diners and restaurants attached to golf courses. I'm sure it has to do with growing up and discovering that this 'adult food' was much better than my hot dog from the kids menu. I haven't had one in too many years. A spot in Maine does not come to mind, alas."

John Golden, The Golden Dish blogger at The Press Herald: "Who eats club sandwiches any more? I can't think of the last time I had one. Too much bread and carbs."

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