John's Sandwich Shop

2400 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT - (406) 782-1783

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Posted By Michael Stern on 6/22/2007 11:04:00 PM

Other than Snappy Lunch in North Carolina (reviewed here at Roadfood.com), Montana is the only place we know where pork chop sandwiches are a passion. You can find them served throughout the Treasure State, but the best place to eat a pork chop sandwich is the city where they were invented, Butte. Uptown, in the historic district to the north where timeworn brick and stone buildings still bear billboards painted long ago advertising smokes, fireproof hotel rooms, and saddleries, you will also spot several signs, new and old, touting pork chop sandwiches.

They’ve been Butte’s favorite since 1924, when John Burklund began selling sandwiches of breaded pork fried to a crisp from the back of a wagon located on the corner of Mercury and Main Streets. In 1932, John opened his first store in a small nook of the Doyle Hotel. It was a counter, ten stools, and a walk-up window for sidewalk traffic; and for until the newer Pork Chop John’s opened on Harrison Avenue, this literal hole in the wall remained the focal point of pork chop culture in Montana. Across from old China Alley, the original John’s always had a couple of al fresco tables on the sidewalk; but most business was always been walk up/carry away.

The connoisseur’s way to eat a sandwich is “loaded,” meaning topped with pickle chips, mustard, and onions. (Mayo, cheese, and ketchup are also available, but must be specified.) They are a savory splurge, made not of whole pork chops (as they once were) but of ground pork that lacks any tooth resistance but becomes an utterly luscious pad of sweet pork inside its crunchy crust.

Scorecard

Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace

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"According to the young lady behind the counter, the preferred way to dress one of John's pork chop sandwiches is with pickle, mustard and onion."
Cliff Strutz

"John's is not for the claustrophobic as the entire sitting area consists of about a dozen counter seats. Just a few minutes after this photo was taken, all the seats were occupied."
Cliff Strutz

"John's offers several different sandwiches, but it is the pork chop sandwich that made them famous and is an essential Roadfood "must eat.""
Cliff Strutz

"For those in a hurry or not fortunate enough to snag one of John's precious seats, there is a take-out window by the front door."
Cliff Strutz

"Wholesome, Healthful, and Delicious: three happy pork chops!"
Michael Stern

"The great old sign has unfortunately been taken down. It was replaced by this more pedestrian exterior."
Cliff Strutz

"The Harrison Avenue location is very convenient for those traveling on I-90 or I-15, but lacks the atmosphere of the downtown location."
Cliff Strutz

"The city of Butte is a culinary archeologist's dream, where ancient signs on old buildings advertise long-gone restaurants. The pork chop sandwich has survived!"
Michael Stern