Nothing hits the spot like a well-crafted sandwich.
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From classics like the PB&J to BLTs and increasingly complicated recipes like Reubens and Cubans, that have to be just right.
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The Herald asked readers to vote on their favorite specialty sandwich shop in the Tri-Cities, and the competition was stiff.
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Relative newcomer Brother’s Cheese Steaks took third place with 11% of the vote, and they’ve only had a storefront to call their own for a few months.
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Before that they were in high demand through the Pasco Specialty Kitchen. Since opening at the specialty kitchen four years ago, they’ve worked hard to win over Tri-Citians, becoming a beloved staple in the area.
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They made the leap to their own store at 8524 W. Gage Blvd, across from Costco, last fall.
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Tied for second place, with 12% each, were Vinny’s Bakery and Foodies.
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Foodies is a popular Tri-Cities restaurant that has had many incarnations over the years. They started as Floatin’ Foodies, a boat version of a food truck, working their way around the Columbia River, delivering delicious eats to people on the water.
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The success of Floatin’ Foodies led to them opening a brick and mortar in downtown Kennewick, Foodies – A place to eat. They then expanded to the Parkway in Richland with Foodies, Too.
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Their Kennewick location closed after a devastating fire at the neighboring Cascade Building in early 2022, but by fall they were back. They reopened near their roots on the water with Foodies on the River, at Columbia Park, in the old home of Bite at the Landing.
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Vinny’s Bakery made it through a rough opening to become one of the Tri-Cities’ favorite restaurants. Just a few months after their December 2014 opening, a man was killed by Pasco police outside the restaurant, leading to community protests and throwing into doubt whether the restaurant could survive. They managed to persist and flourish, with the bakery becoming the home of the Community Hope Wall.
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In 2019 when the Mayor of Flavortown himself, Guy Fieri, visited the Tri-Cities to film an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, he made a surprise stop at Vinny’s, lending his coveted endorsement to the bakery.
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Vinny’s, at 1107 W. Lewis St. in Pasco, is known for their baked goods, but also for delicious sandwiches like their Cuban, Milanesa and more.
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Rounding out the top five is the Country Mercantile. The perfect place to grab a bite after hiking Candy Mountain or visiting a local winery, Country Mercantile has a wide offering of sandwiches. They’ve got a location in Richland, at 5015 Ava Way, and north of Pasco at 232 Crestloch Rd., off Highway 395.
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And the winner is …
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Taking the top spot with a commanding 38% of the vote is a store that does nothing but soups, salads and sandwiches. And they do it well.
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Graze – A Place to Eat is the hottest sandwich spot in the Tri-Cities. From their one-of-a-kind paninis and hot sandiwches, there’s nothing plain about their eats. Each recipes is created with care, from their Turkey and Roast Pear panini to the Latronka, made with a “pastrami bomb.”
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Graze has two locations in Walla Walla and two in the Tri-Cities, 610 George Washington Way and 8530 W. Gage Blvd. A third Tri-Cities location is under construction at 131 N. Ely St., where China Cafe used to be.
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That location is going to be a drive-thru only, so you can grab a sandwich and keep your day moving.
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Honorable mentions from the write-in votes included Stonesoup, at 703 The Parkway in Richland, Frost Me Sweet, at 710 the Parkway, and Island View Market at 1607 Columbia Park Trail near Bateman Island.
