Dave’s Chillin-N-Grillin
Wednesday, June 29, 2005 14:27
On Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock, somewhere between (that awesome wireless coffeehouse w/kids area) Swork* and the approachable, wonderful, cheap-chic Colorado Wine Company sits a storefront sandwich shop so small and unobtrusive, it’s easy to blow past. Don’t. Dave’s Chilin-N-Grillin is making outstanding sandwiches at giveaway prices. Don’t believe me? Just ask Dave. He preaches like a man afire about the importance of using only the best ingredients available. “If it’s not a word you heard in 1st grade, it’s not in my food.” His smoothies have fruit, sherbet, juice. No ice–that’s a source of pride. He doesn’t want to sell anything watered down, he wants to give you all the good stuff (that’s practically a quote).
He’s got several specialties: I didn’t try the meatball, but he makes a sandwich with what by all accounts is an oustanding ball of pork, veal, beef, and just a pinch of breadcrumbs made only from day old baguette. I did try his crabmeat, which he makes into melt (I think), and it was fine, subtly sweet, delicate crabmeat which he gets from the east coast. His tuna? Fugedaboutid. He takes something as simple as a tuna melt and makes it into an art project. He uses the most expensive canned tuna you can get (ask him to show you if you think I’m exaggerating), grills it on some incredible fresh bread; which he has delivered daily, uses fresh provolone cheese, and delivers a tuna melt that is so perfect, light-tasting, and well-textured, it should have a french sounding name to do it justice. Thon Fondue?
He makes an Italian sub that reminded me of Marino’s Italian Deli in Glendale–except I liked Dave’s more. It wasn’t as generous in size, but it was just so doggone fresh, and didn’t feel like it was giving me a heart attack. The not too salty or sour pickle and pepper relish is what does it.
He’s got some meatless sandwiches, a vegetarian wrap of home made humus, lettuce, tomato, cheese–again almost too simple to be this good; and a Greek wrap featuring French Feta cheese, “because it’s a little creamier.”
He serves a very lean pastrimi, which I will try soon, but today I went with the French Dip sandwich. The thick-slices of roast beef were incredibly tender and low fat, the result is completely incongruous with the “neighborhood bar” atmosphere, and the video games in back. The “Raspberry Lime Ricki” I ordered was a full pint of raspberry sherbet, lime sherbet and club soda, blended and poured thick, $2.75.
Though his menu is simple, Dave’s commitment and passion are formidable. I feel about Dave’s like I did the new Batman movie, it’s something I’ve sat through a million times before, but but if it’s done well enough, I’ll happily line up again and again.
Dave’s Chllin-N-Grillin
2152 Colorado Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
map
*Swork will open it’s second location in the Montrose neighborhood July 2nd.
By Why We Type (see more of his posts).
Paul DeSisto says:
July 1st, 2005 at 12:28 am
GREAT TASTING SANDWICHS + GOOD PRICE =EXCELLENT VALUE.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!
Dan-o says:
July 12th, 2005 at 10:21 pm
What a nice place. Dave is so passionate about what he serves and you can tell. Please, everybody go to this place and give him your business.
Laura says:
August 18th, 2005 at 8:54 am
What is a lime riki, what’s in it?
Why We Type says:
August 18th, 2005 at 7:42 pm
Well, I’ve just spent way too long Googling it to give you an accurate answer, and it seems I’d mispelled it. A “ricky,” is originally a gin drink made with cherry syrup, lime juice and club soda. This is more of a sherbet shake. I just recently went back to Dave’s and what I should have called it is a “chiller,” which is a simple drink of sherbet and club soda. The day I was in, he was serving a peach-mango chiller: two kinds of sherbet, blended w/ club soda. Cold, refreshing.
I ordered The Crab Melt, which is definitely worth asking for if you go. My wife got the pastrami, which as I experienced before, isn’t haute cuisine, but is still so good for a little joint in Eagle Rock.
My wife’s observation was key, she said that the great thing about Dave’s is Dave himself. He’s completely unpretentious, friendly, and sustains a very neighborhoody vibe.
Brian says:
August 22nd, 2005 at 6:48 pm
Well, I was in Dave’s this past Sunday with two friends, one of whom is trained in food preparation. My friend who is trained asked us other two if we really wanted to eat there as he saw the men preparing the sandwiches bare-handed also handling cash and also adjusting their underwear. We left and walked across Eagle Rock Boulevard and ate at Quizos sub place. I was kinda shocked that they were not wearing the plastic gloves at Dave’s and right out in the open where they prepare food right in your face. They should not be handling cash with those same hands.
Unacceptable. Sorry.
Chris says:
November 22nd, 2005 at 4:55 pm
very very good sandwiches. BEST SMOOTHIES in town. Now that someone commented on the whole handling money & food thing, I must agree that this is not a great practice. BUT - I have to say that people these days are OUT OF CONTROL worried about everything. A little germs never hurt anyone, it’s called “immune system”. These are the best sandwiches I’ve had in LA, and I have not yet gotten sick from them. If I have to choose between Dave’s with no gloves and Quiznos, I’m getting sick just thinking of Quiznos.
Go to Dave’s. You won’t regret it.
Maria says:
January 11th, 2006 at 10:15 am
Dave’s food is great especially the Chilli
The comment about the no gloves.. well that employee is no longer there Yahoo!! Looks like Dave is on top of his crew
One Tuna Melt, please! says:
September 2nd, 2006 at 11:29 pm
Haha what a friggin pussy?!?! You passed up on the best sandwich this side of Boston because you seen the preparer whip up a sandwich barehanded?!?! Big deal matey!! When you go over to grandma’s for home cooking, do you require her to strap on the gloves?!? Dave’s food is so unbelievably tasty, he can literally play in a muddy sandbox for 8 hours and make my sandwich for all I care. If you have a set of cajones, go back to daves and see what “fresh” products are all about. Stop acting like a pampered prima donna pussy…eat some damn meat, or you’ll end up a twig like Nicole Richie.
Andrea Estrada says:
October 11th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Dave’s Chillin-N-Grillin has yummy sandwiches starting from his ham and cheese all the way to his grilled sandwiches. Best food EVER!! Go Dave!!
le lion says:
December 4th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
i went to pick up lunch in teh early months of Dave’s G+G– i ordered two sandwiches and some chips (i must say i was disappointed with their lack of side items. boring Lay’s chips and that was it!) to go. when it came time to pay, i handed them my card, only to hear Dave say “oh no! we’re cash only right now!” all i had was 5 bucks and he let me have the whole order for that price, saying “i know you’ll come back, so repay me whenever you can!” HOW NICE!
the sandwiches were really big, the tuna was so-so, but the red pepper tapinade on the side was great. i havent been back yet, but i wouldnt say no if someone suggested it. then i could also give Dave the $5 that i owe him :)
maggie says:
June 21st, 2008 at 5:58 am
I Cant imagine anyone ever having anythin bad to say about Dave’s! The food is awesome, healthy, cheap and tastes like heaven on 2 pieces of sliced heaven! But my favorite part about Dave’s is how not only Dave, but all of his staff treat you like an old friend when u come in. They call almost all their regular customers by name and ask u how ur day is and they actually wait for u to answer. Dave’s always telling people about the quality of his products and his food definitely passes the taste test! What a place, what an enthuiastic group, and boy what a hoagie!!!
kookimebux says:
February 1st, 2009 at 10:09 am
Hello. And Bye. :)