Love Thy Sandwich
Unpretentious sandwiches made for the gourmand
Words by Jessi Devenyns Photos by Eric Morales
Gourmand is a French word that toes the fine line between a pure love of culinary creations and the darker, lurid side of over-indulgence. It is the in-between where the psyche loves to play and the mindset where food tastes its finest. It is also the name of the most unaffected neighborhood sandwich joint in East Austin.
But how can a simple sandwich insight the sensation of gourmandise? Well, according to Tiffany Russell who is part owner of Gourmands Neighborhood Pub, as a sandwich shop in a dive bar, it’s all about atmosphere.
Owned by herself, her husband, her brother and her sister-in-law, this family business began as a way to recreate fond memories of a sandwich shop in Arizona they all loved. While they were toying with the idea, they decided that the food needed to be served in a bar because “We wanted a bar that was kind of chill and not super fancy, where people could just hang out and have a good time,” says Russell. However, none of them except for Russell’s husband Mike had any experience in the restaurant industry. Nevertheless, she recalls when they saw a little red “for sale” sign on their current property, they threw caution to the wind, collected their nest eggs, and “We just said, let’s try it…” Their goal was simple, “a neighborhood joint where people know they’re always comfortable, and they can always get a seat.” Russell recounts the days not so long ago where, “We were by ourselves for a long time. We didn’t even have a street sign when we opened. We had to beg the city to give us a street sign so that people could find us.”
Over six years later, their leap of faith is now a blossoming neighborhood hangout, where sandwich lovers congregate to relish classic deli delights like hot and cold hoagies, bread bowl soups, and fresh salads.
“Our Godfather is a pretty popular sandwich,” Russell shares, and is best ordered hot. With ham, Genoa salami, spicy capicola, provolone, pepperoncini, and relish on a hoagie, one could almost consider it a balanced meal in a bun. The only thing missing is a refreshing margarita. Thankfully, for only $4, guests can enjoy a house-made margarita where the lime takes center stage and is uncommonly refreshing even while sitting on the sprawling patio in the summer sun.
Although sandwiches and pickled veggies are the star of the show, those who want to forego a fresh baked bun can order a hearty soup or salad, made from scratch. The broccoli and cheese soup is infused with Shiner Bock and is such a favorite that Russell says it flies out of the pot even in the heat of summer. Perhaps, those folks are cooling off with a Nooner – a prickly pear lemonade with vodka? Or perhaps it’s because at Gourmands anything goes so long as you relish the moment that it’s happening in. Regardless, this under-the-radar neighborhood joint is beloved. As Russell points out, “We just knew it was a winner. Who doesn’t love sandwiches?”
Contact:
(512) 610-2031
2316 Webberville Rd.
lovethysandwich.com
