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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).