Sometimes, It’s The Simple Things
Greetings, Readers!
If you’re like me, and if you’re reading this I assume we’re mildly similar, you’re also in mild shock at the fact that it’s hitting 90 in Los Angeles.
This is some kind of weird winter weather joke right? Some movie magic at work here, am I right?
Well, taking refuge form the warming temps, I stopped by Simplethings in Burbank this past weekend, a place I have been wanting to visit for awhile since it first opened. I had previously visited this location when it was Olive & Thyme, but they’ve since moved on down the street to a different location.
But could this place keep the winning going with a delicious sandwich?
Making It Simple and Delicious
The inside is a smart looking sandwich shop, great seating, brightly lit and for a touch of fun, each table is topped with brown paper and crayons to pass the time while you wait for your food.
Someone who left as we sat down had drawn a pretty impressive picture with only four colors at their table. Like, wall-mounting level photo.
Walking up to order, my eyes were quickly drawn to the beer case (something not always offered in sandwich shops) and the pie counter.
Yes, pies. Single serving pies, or even small versions which could be taken out in one mouthful. Before I even get to the sandwich I’m going to tell you that the banana cream pie I had is a must get.
Seriously.
The menu is the worst part in this establishment.
Because there are so many different options!
You thought I was going elsewhere with that, right? No?
Well then.
That’s A Spicy Meat-a-ball
Instead of sticking to a regular option, I went with the daily special, The Dedham Lew. This sandwich is a meatball sandwich with handmade meatballs, marinana sauce, Manchego cheese, and fresh basil on a ciabatta roll.
This sandwich was delicious. With all that’s on this sandwich, with this bread, you’d think it would be a heavy sandwich but it wasn’t at all. The meatballs were perfectly flavored, an incredibly savory experience, each one practically melting in your mouth with each bite.
The Manchego was plentiful and spread thoroughly across the meatballs but wasn’t overpowering and didn’t make the sandwich too chewy. I feel like a lot of sandwiches easily fall into that pitfall.
The basil added a bit of brightness to the tangy marinara sauce, and the ciabatta roll wrapped it all up nicely in a soft, delicious envelope.
It was a pretty amazing sandwich, and thankfully not too messy even with the marinara. Another pitfall sandwich-makers easily fall into.
Although part of me could have used an extra spoonful.
A Pretty Little Pie
Even after that satisfying meatball sandwich, my stomach could not be denied the second greatest of life’s pleasures: pie.
Luckily with the one-shot size I could handle it.
And let’s face it, even if I couldn’t I’d still end up with a banana cream pie, in this case topped with a Nilla Wafer. Absolutely tops. Definitely get this, or one of their other amazing sounding pies.
I gotta give it to Simplethings, I was a huge fan of Olive & Thyme in this space, and the follow up restaurant needed to keep the good streak of creating great food in that space, and they really knocked it out of the park. I can easily see this becoming a new favorite spot in the area.
As much as I enjoyed this sandwich though, I’ll absolutely be trying one of their other, regular offerings on the menu the next time I visit.
Or all of them.
Plus pie.
Until next week, Readers….
The Dedham Lew
**** 1/2 Stars
Simplethings
4013 W. Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA
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