Craving a great sandwich, Boise? These 5 will keep you satisfied, coming back for more

Editor’s Note: Which of Statesman food reviewer Amos Rothstein’s picks would you choose? Tell us in our reader survey below. Can’t see it? You may need to turn off your ad blocker. You can also find the survey here. After you make your choice, scroll down and tell us what other sandwich should have been on the list.

I love a good sandwich — a nice combination of ingredients on bread or a roll that meld (if done right) into the perfect vessel of flavor, texture and sensation.

Here in the Treasure Valley, we are blessed with diverse and delicious sandwiches. I could wax poetic about indulging in sandwiches and their magic, but I think I’d just be preaching to the choir.

Instead, I will go into the sandwiches that are currently keeping my mind and stomach churning at night, in the best way possible. These are in no particular order, but all come in at No. 1 when the mood strikes.

The Reuben at The Lively

Holy shoot! Have you had this yet? If not, run, don’t walk.

Chef Edward Higgins and the team recently opened The Lively for lunch service (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday), and they’ve made some wonderful menu additions. They kept their signature burger and risotto, but added a refreshing grilled branzino, a comforting quiche, steak frites that are tender and out of this world, and the Reuben.

Chances are, you’ve had a good Reuben. This sandwich is as good or better than you’d get from a New York deli. Its house-smoked corn beef is aged to perfection — flavorful from the peppery blend of spices and juicy from the aging process. It’s topped with a house-made sauerkraut whose lovely zing accompanies the fattiness of the meat, and comes with Thousand Island dressing. It’s served on perfectly toasted rye, of course, and comes with a small mountain of crispy French fries, with a house-made garlic aioli for dipping.

This meal is $18, which can seem a bit spendy for a weekday lunch — but you deserve to treat yourself every now and then!

Chimichurri Pork at MB Sandwich House

MB Sandwich House is a little gem tucked away in a strip mall at 4510 W. Overland Road in Boise. The menu is extensive, everything is $10 or less, and it’s filled with delicious and creative sandwiches, as well as signature Garlic Butter Baguette Bite sliders.

There also is a life-changing sandwich: Chimichurri Pork. It’s served on a lightly toasted hoagie roll coated with house-seasoned mayo, and then the slow-roasted pork butt is mixed with a thoroughly addictive and perfectly made chimichurri sauce. Lettuce and tomato are perfect complements. It all throws your taste buds into a new dimension.

Chimichurri is a sauce made from parsley, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and red onion — all pureed into a savory sauce frequently used in South American cooking to accompany meats. It takes tender cuts of pork, beef or chicken to another level. Put the sauce, with its garlic-forward richness, on top of perfectly cooked pork, and you have a mouth-watering sandwich.

Chicken Tarragon Croissant at Hyde House

At this cozy restaurant in Hyde Park, the simple and honest recipes keep me coming back. On their lunch menu is this favorite. It’s a wonderfully made chicken salad, seasoned with fresh herbs that give it a refreshing kiss of flavor and a little bit of sophistication. It’s mixed with chopped pecans that provide depth and a needed crunch. Piled on a soft croissant from Gaston’s Bakery, the creamy concoction just hits the spot. It’s light but filling, complex but simple. It’s served with your choice of house salad or soup du jour, and goes for $13.

Green Goddess at Bittercreek Alehouse

Don’t worry, vegetarians, I have you covered. The Green Goddess Sandwich served at this downtown staple leaves nothing to be desired. Served on toasted Acme Bakeshop caraway rye, it’s stacked with fresh butter leaf lettuce, thick tomato, crunchy and sweet cucumber, rich green goddess dressing and a savory, salty, milky, refreshing cut of burrata cheese.

This sandwich is so well-rounded and has such good texture that I rank it up there with good meat creations. And hey, if it all sounds appealing but you need a little something more — and are not a vegetarian — just add bacon for $2! Regardless, you will find each bite satisfying and delicious. Meat eaters, I dare you to give this a shot, because you’ll be glad you did.

Pulled Pork at R&R Barbecue

R&R just opened its second Idaho location and first in Boise — and I was pleasantly surprised.

I wasn’t sure whether a small chain from Utah could pump out such authentic and well-done ‘cue, but R&R delivered. The ribs, brisket, sausage and chicken were all top-notch and melt-in-your-mouth tender, but it was the Pulled Pork Sandwich that had me drooling. The pork is smoked and seasoned well, but not too wet from too much marinade or grease. And the house-made sauces work great with it.

The pork has the right combination: the savory softness of a little fat with the light chew from the bark. It’s piled high on a potato bun with house-cured pickles and a few slices of red onion, which added tang to the richness of the meat. I also highly recommend the refreshing coleslaw or delicious garlicky mashed potatoes as a side, which comes as part of the $8.99 sandwich price. As for the sauce, be bold and mix the Carolina vinegar-based with the spicy, thick BBQ.

This story was originally published October 29, 2021 at 5:00 AM.