Panini’s: Pressed for Lunch

Panini’s – Menu

Parking: Lot Credit Cards: Yes

There are many different variations of the old reliable sandwich, and with the proliferation of the cheap chain sandwich many people just slap down five bucks and pick one up. The problem with this is that you get stuck in a rut eating mediocre food. There are many places that advertise that they bake or toast their sandwiches, and this entails sticking them in an industrial-sized toaster and melting the cheese. Well, let me tell you about a place where I have been enjoying sandwiches for the last five years, Panini’s. As its name suggests, Panini’s is an Italian pressed sandwich shop. Unlike the chains that throw their buns in a toaster, Panini’s does it right with their sandwich press (vaguely reminiscent of a waffle iron) and premium ingredients.

When I make the trip to Panini’s, which is located on Redondo just north of PCH, I am always excited to get the Prosciutto and Mozzarella Panini. They take fresh-baked shepherd’s bread and then pile on the cheese, roasted red peppers, and prosciutto, and then stick it in the sandwich press and in a few minutes out comes this perfect sandwich. They serve it up to you in a basket, cut in half alongside kettle chips and a cherry pepper. The first bite will make you melt just like the cheese. I like the prosciutto for its thin, light texture and a saltiness that balances out the sweetness of the red peppers and mingles with the mozzarella nicely.

If prosciutto is not your style then there are plenty of different sandwiches to choose from. They have turkey, roast beef, ham, goat cheese and hummus, all served with your choice of cheese and pressed to perfection. If pressed sandwiches are not your bag, then they also offer a wealth of different cold sandwiches served on a baguette.

If it is lunch time and you are thinking outside of the box, or bun as it may be, then make a trip over to Panini’s. I assure you that it will not be your last.

Until Next Time, Keep Eating Long Beach,

Cliv