Another chain comes to chain-happy Cincinnati.....

from http://www.cinweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/a1/20050831/ENT0105/508310316/1026/ENT01

POTBELLY=FULL BELLY
The quirky Chicago sandwich joint Potbelly Sandwich Works will enter the Cincinnati market in early September with a shop across from the Kenwood Towne Centre, in the Sycamore Plaza at 7800 Montgomery Road.

Potbelly has an almost cult-like following for its crisp, toasted sandwiches and live, local lunchtime music.

"Each of our stores has its own individual personality that comes from hiring really nice people who are part of the local community," says CEO Bryant Keil.

Opening festivities for the Sycamore Plaza store will include a benefit for the FreeStore/FoodBank. Customers can receive a free sandwich when they bring three non-perishable food items to the Montgomery Road location.

Visit www.potbelly.com for more information.

We have an outlet of Potbelly in Geneva Illinois, it is the most incredibly bland food I have ever had and that was even after adding hot peppers. We only went because we had free coupons right after they opened.

To make matters worse, writers of a local weekly affiliated with the local daily have selected....get this.....arby's beef and cheddar as one of their favorite things to eat. Keep in mind they could pick the very best of the very best of any culinary offerring from anywhere in town....and they went with an Arby's beef and cheddar.

I didn't think this town could shock me anymore in it's love for chains.....I was wrong.

http://www.cinweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050907/ENT01/509070332/1047

Now we know why you have to do all of that traveling!

Sorta kinda related, the local paper's dining section features a review of.....Applebees.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051006/ENT01/510070303/1026

Oh my lord, can a review of Denny's be next? Be still my beating heart......

It's about time "the masses" have someone who represents their p.o.v!! I can't wait for the next review where they reveal an up and coming drink, Coca-Cola!!

quote:

stanpnepa
Cheeseburger




Posted - 10/07/2005 : 09:36:44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's about time "the masses" have someone who represents their p.o.v!! I can't wait for the next review where they reveal and up and coming drink, Coca-Cola!!

The MASSES are represented. Using an old Pogo axiom "We have met the enemy and the enemy is us" ............. The Masses do love this fast food stuff................. we dear Roadfood friend are not the Masses we are the minority............... we are the few that still remember what a potato tastes like before genetic engineering took out the flavor. We can still remember when it took Mom half the day to prepare dinner.... Mom's today are working and stop off at Potbelly Sandwich Works or a similar fast food joint to pick up dinner for the family. No time to cook because Johnny has soccer practice, Sally has dance lessens and Dad want's to get in 9 holes before sunset.....etc.etc.etc. It's a changing world out there and our food preference are changing as well.
A few weeks ago I had my first famous Cincinnati chili and coney dog ............ sigh!!
I loved it.......... my god am I also changing?? first it was "In and Out Burger" and now Skyline Chili. ........."ohhhhhhhhhhhh the humanity" ..lol Frank C.

I tried Potbelly once,,,,,,and will not return.
The sandwiches were blaa, the bread shattered on biting into it,the meat had no taste, the place was so loud you couldn't hear yourself think, and the singer? couldn't sing.
I'll vote with my feet.

The latest? We will soon have our very own Cheddars

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20060616/ENT01/606160310/

TJ... at least you have Jungle Jims and Trader Joes, We here down below you don't....

There is a place in my town, Johnson City, Tenn, in fact down the street from me, Scratchworks Bakery. It started as a bakery - John Wrestler built a big brick oven (my son, Ben helped with that) and began baking. He has since enlarged to all kinds of food, the common denominator being fresh made from excellent ingredients, with creativity. Yesterday I had what he called a Cuban - What it is is two pieces of flatbread , smoked beef and chicked, some sort of poppyseed dressing and baby spinach. Also got freshly made hummus with roasted garlic and fresh dill. And a puff pastry with feta cheese and local strawberries.

He also does a lot of pizzas of various configurations and many other things. The intriguing thing is to see what new things he and his wife, Jamie have dreamed up. He just recently began smoking meat and poultry in a big heavy duty steel smoker, and is planning to build an even bigger one.

He's currently open for business Thursday - Saturday at the corner of Roan and Unaka. It's all take home except for the samples he offers to all his customers. Yeserday, he was handing out slices of a Bavarian sugar bread. The sugar glaze had a chocolate / habanero pepper sauce mixed in. That's what I mean by creativity. John also does a booming business at local farmer's markets.

Highly recomended.

Question: If I became an Insider, would I be able to post a review of this place?

I am sure any Roadfoodie would find a visit a satisfying experience, not only for the food, but to meet and talk with John. The man is passionate about his art / craft.

Don, as long as you're signed up with Roadfood.com you can post reviews and pictures. I'm not an Insider and I have several reviews up. Scratchworks sounds excellent.

Considering the fact that a Cuban sandwich is made on Cuban bread with a filling of thinly sliced ham, sliced roast pork (and in Tampa, sometimes, Genoa salami), cheese, pickles and mustard, and then is pressed and heated on a plancha, I'd say that wasn't anything close to a Cuban being sold at that place in Johnson City. It sounds as if it might be pretty good, but a Cubano it's not.

Yes Michael. I told John that the last Cuban sammitch I had was in Key West. He allowed this was his rendition. When I can get my hands on a camera, I am going to post a review of this place.