Food review by Family-Friendly Tampa Bay Guest blogger, Toby Walsh: Review is the expressed opinon of the author.
It is 11 a.m. at the International Plaza in Tampa and the kids have had enough of shopping. You’ve successfully ushered them through the search for a new pair of jeans and flowery lotion, but your time is up.
The whiny 3 year-old’s forty-five minute good behavior limit has expired. The older kids are worn down and hungry – they say they are “starving” in fact. It’s time to head to toward the food court. With nerves frayed, you lead the troops toward International Mall’s Bay Street Food Court.
The crisis is not immediately averted when you see all the food choices available. Each kid has a different desire – the 10 year-old wants pizza while the overly-emotional 3 year-old demands mac and cheese.
In the center of the line of same-old, same-old restaurants lining Bay Street is a unique, new entrant – Earl of Sandwich. Problem solved.
There is something delicious for everyone in the family at Earl of Sandwich. The Kid’s Menu is perfectly simple and affordable – showcasing pizza, homemade mac and cheese, and a children’s hot sandwich. Any of these choices is priced less than $4.
As sufficient as the choices are for the little ones, the full menu offers a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and desserts to fit any hungry parent’s taste. The food on either menu is fresh, made to order and customizable.
The menu also highlights Gluten Free items for those with allergies. Earl of Sandwich’s General Manager, John Dozier, explained what sets their menu apart from a run-of-the-mill sandwich shop. “We bake all bread on sight, each day. All sandwiches are made-to-order and served hot, with fresh ingredients, in less than five minutes.”
If you’re looking for a hot sandwich, the three top sellers are:
1. The Original – an appropriately sized portion of roast beef topped with cheddar cheese and horseradish sauce
2. The Chipotle Chicken Avocado – fresh chopped, grilled chicken with generous portions of bacon, cheddar cheese and sliced avocado, all garnished with lettuce and chipotle dressing
3. Holiday Turkey – the sandwich-version of a traditional turkey dinner – sliced turkey, cornbread stuffing and cranberry sauce topped with mayonnaise.
If you prefer a salad, every selection offers fresh ingredients and mixed greens presented in clever, delicious combinations. I recommend the Thai Chicken Salad.
To finish off the meal, the Ghirardelli chocolate brownie is out of sight. If a brownie won’t do, the freshly baked chocolate chip or sugar cookies will perk up any still-weary kids. Earl of Sandwich claims to have “invented the sandwich”. For any parent, though, Earl of Sandwich has done more.
They created a way for kids and parents to eat well, quickly, and without the regret of having to settle for traditional, deep-fried, fast food.
About Tobin Walsh
Tobin is a husband and father of 5. His rambunctious family life provides ample opportunities for thoughtful pieces about parenting.
His blog, The Good-Bad Dad has been featured by parenting publications such as Fatherly.com and Babble.com.
Follow Tobin at:
www.goodbaddad.com
Twitter: @thegoodbaddad
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Email: [email protected]
