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Michael Towey: Empiric Studio

Interiors Expert Brings His Discerning Taste To This List of, "Best Sandwiches In Town"

ELANE SAYS: I love wandering into Empiric for a mental diversion and getting lost in all the beautifully restored, vintage finds. I'm drawn to Michael's taste. He has a talent for breathing new life into old, industrial objects & combining them with newer, 20th century pieces. The aesthetic is all his own...soulful yet heady with practically palpable stories buried in each vignette. I expected Michael to write a list around furniture, architecture, science, history or design. Michael's Sandwich List is a fun and playful surprise! Happy eating :) [www.empiricstudio.com]

Posted on June 28th, 2011

Eat/Drink + Celebrate

Note From Michael.....re: my fondness for sandwiches. Self employment means working a few more hours a day than you did in the corporate gig with a 401K. Some days you have to keep going right through lunch, multi-tasking and eating at your desk or in the car on your way to the next appointment. It's not glamorous. You do it because you have to. But this doesn't mean that your food can't still be delicious. Its not ideal to be in a hurry or eat while working but when it happens, there are some fine options in Los Angeles that will put a smile on your face...PS: these are in no particular order and burgers/sliders omitted because that's a list of it's own.

Joan's Turkey Meatloaf with Chile Aioli, Joans On Third VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 8350 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles [West 3rd] Everyone has their favorite at this genius lunch/catering/deli mecca on West Third but I never made it past this sandwich on the menu. It is so delicious that I fear buyers remorse with any other order. How could whatever else I might order live up to the meatloaf? Now that they heave expanded and have so many more counters to order at and outdoor tables to eat at, it's even better.
The Godmother, Bay Cities VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 1517 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica [Santa Monica] OK, I'm probably the last person in the city to go to this place (based on the lines at the deli counter, cashier and parking lot) but if you love a classic Italian sandwich that is made right, take a number at the deli and settle in for your chance to say that you would like, "The Godmother." They make a 26" version too The bread, the peppers, the oil and vinegar...enough said. You know the sandwich I'm talking about.
The Rotisserie Chicken Panini, Kings Road Cafe VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 8361 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles [Beverly Blvd] Kings Road Cafe initially won me over with the chilli poached eggs they serve for breakfast but for later in the day there is a magical, rich combination of flavors in the chicken Panini. I was eating this sandwich twice a week for a while and have since got my addiction under control. It's located too close to my furniture showroom on Beverly, for me to resist. Sandwich served with fontina cheese, garlic aioli, avocado and carmelized onion.
The Media Noche, MILK VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 7290 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles [Beverly Blvd] A welcome addition to Beverly Blvd also dangerously close to my place of work), this little lunch spot can do nothing wrong. They take a gourmet fine dining experience and make it portable in the Media Noche Sandwich. Good luck resisting the hand made ice cream bars in the cooler to the left of the counter. It should be illegal.
Crab Roll with Butter, The Lobsta Truck VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: Check Website for Location Schedule Find it. Eat it. Part of the new mobile dining culture in Los Angeles. My New England friend says this is the real deal. I'm less well versed in crustaceans but really enjoy the crab sandwich. She won't get anything but the lobster. We both agree the Cape Cod chips and fresh squeezed lemonade really round out the experience. They used to stop regularly by LACMA on Wilshire, which worked well for me. Then the schedule changed. Maybe they are closer to you now?
Original Roast Beef French Dip with Swiss Cheese, Coles VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 118 East 6th Street, Los Angeles [Downtown] Phillipes or Cole's Everyone has a favorite. You can't mention one without the other coming up in the discussion. So, where to go....Phillipe's or Cole's. The answer is yes! Who cares who did it first. In a city of 10 million people, I dare say there is room for a couple more good roast beef sandwich purveyors. I do like the bar atmosphere at Cole's as I enjoy a cold draft beer with my sandwich in the reviving neighborhood on East 6th Street. The menu at Cole's makes the basic In-N-out menu look complicated so I'm not going to even suggest what to order. Not enough incentive to get you there? Ask about the staff about Varnish and see where it leads you.
Crispy Chicken Sandwich with bbq sauce, arugula and provolone, BLD VIEW WEBSITE | LOCATION: 7450 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles [Beverly Blvd] This sandwich is great but what I really go to BLD for is everything that supports a good sandwich. A beautiful room with great light, great friendly and unpretentious service, a healthy menu, a proper full bar and espresso machine, easy/free parking and hardly ever a wait for a table. All of these things DO make my sandwich taste better. It's everything I'm looking for in a mid-city lunch spot so why look any further. It's right there at 7450 Beverly.