Earl of Sandwich at The Palms
Holiday Turkey – Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce
Hawaiian BBQ – Grilled Chicken, Ham, Swiss, Pineapple, BBQ Sauce
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie
Located across from the golden arches in a far less fanciful space than its Planet Hollywood sibling I really had not planned to visit Earl of Sandwich on Saturday morning, but when my friend from 24 Seven suggested she was stopping by to pick up lunch for later I decided “why not?,” a pair of shared sandwiches and three fresh baked sweets each making me wonder why I’d waited so long to give the Earl a go. Another 24/7 operation with offerings including sandwiches, soups, salads, and wraps plus a later day menu of pastas and more it was just after 7:15am when we arrived at the small storefront and each opting for a sandwich that was subsequently split and swapped I bid my friend adieu before sitting down to eat, my first bite of the Hawaiian BBQ crunching through golden bread to discover notes of bright citrus overlying tender proteins with a smoky finish well balanced by the brine of Swiss. No less compelling than its island themed counterpart yet far more comforting in the midst of a Las Vegas summer it was only after finishing my half of the ‘cue that I turned to the Holiday Turkey and although more of a ‘fork and knife’ affair than a proper hand-held I will simply say that there may be no better sandwich in Sin City, the cornbread stuffing a perfect accoutrement to rich gravy and briny bird while the cranberry jam lends subtle sweetness at the end. Every bit worthy of its substantial praise, particularly for a ‘chain,’ it was finally in a few baked goods that my meal would finish and although neither cookie will win any awards the oft celebrated brownie would indeed prove a worthy bite, the soft and smooth center with crispy edges as good as any I’ve had in recent memory and all the better given the fact that it was free (with signup for the fan club.)
FOUR STARS: At $6.49 per sandwich it would be hard to call Earl of Sandwich a ‘deal’ in the era of “Five Dollar Footlong(s)” but with superior ingredients, friendly customer service, and a focus on quality over quantity I’d happily pay more for twenty bites of crunchy bread stuffed full of flavor than fifty of subpar carbs overwhelming a thin layer of cold-cuts and processed cheese.
RECOMMENDED: Holiday Turkey, Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie
AVOID: Cookies were rather run-of-the mill considering the $1.99 tab; certainly not bad but also not worth the cost or calories.
TIP: Sign-up for the free fan-club (online or in person) will score you a free brownie on the spot and a free sandwich on your birthday.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
