Erik's Delicafe, Redwood City

I am not much of a sandwich person, yet I still find myself drawn to Erik's Delicafe. Since I used to frequent the establishment back in my Santa Cruz college days, I think the appeal is partly nostalgia for me. I won't go to Quizno's, Subway or Togo's, but Erik's I will gladly order from.

Erik's isn't the kind of place you crave or even go out of your way for. I happened to be at a fabric store in Redwood City yesterday when I spotted it in the strip mall. Since my husband had never been to an Erik's before, we decided to pop in.

There's nothing fancy about the menu here. In fact, you could argue that the sandwiches can easily be made at home in your own kitchen. And what's wrong with that? Erik's offers simple, solid food at affordable prices. And, at a time when fancy sandwich shops are charging double-digits and leaving customers dissatisfied, Erik's is a nice respite. The sandwiches are made to order (quickly, might I add) with fresh ingredients. I usually opt for the half-sandwich/cup of soup combo. (I love the names of the sandwiches -- yesterday I had the Raging Bull, but the R.E.O. Speadwagon is also fun to order.)

I admit that the ambiance here is a little cheesy -- with the fake barnwood walls and ceilings, iron kettle in the room, etc. But where else around here can you get your beverages served in mason jars?

Erik's DeliCafe
See web site for locations throughout the Peninsula and South Bay (mainly the latter).

SF Soup Company, East Palo Alto

Yes, I know it's called the SAN FRANCISCO Soup Company -- and it is one of the things I do miss about working in the City -- but Peninsula-ites can rejoice because there is an outpost in East Palo Alto.

Sadly for me, the hours (Mon-Fri, 7am-4pm) conflict with my work schedule. BUT, a limited selection of the Soup Co.'s products are also carried at Andronico's in the Stanford Shopping Center. So I can still get my tomato bisque to heat up at home.

If you're lucky enough to make it into the actual EPA store, have a bowl of Mexican chicken tortilla for me. Garnished with cheese and blue tortilla chips, it is SO GOOD! Perfect when the weather is cold and rainy, as it has been for the past 20 days.

Pssst: Sign up for the free emails to find out what the daily specials are, and you could also win free soup!

San Francisco Soup Company
1950 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA
(650) 322-7687