Best Make-Your-Own Gourmet Sandwich
Overall: A-
$-$$
Service: 5/5 The cashiers are friendly and they get your order right the first time. They will be happy to substitute ingredients and will even offer recommendations. You simply order and pay, take a seat inside or outside, and wait for your name to be called. I’ve never waited longer than fifteen minutes for an order and there are plenty of specialty groceries and wine varietals to browse through while you wait. Keep in mind that they stop making sandwiches half an hour before closing. Hours are Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Food: 5/5 Dave’s uses fresh, local ingredients to make some of the best sandwiches in town. What makes Dave’s the best place for making your own sandwich is that they offer a variety of quality ingredients. Not only that, but the establishment doubles as a unique grocery store that sells specialty foods and wines, handmade pasta (which they have been making and selling for more than twenty years), homemade sauces, fancy sodas and juices, local fruits and vegetables, and artisanal meats and cheeses. Choose from their menu of speciality sandwiches, handmade calzones, pasta salads, pita wraps and paninis, or get creative and build your own sandwich by selecting a protein (grilled chicken, plainville turkey, grilled flank steak, grilled shrimp, prosciutto, chicken salad, tuna salad, black forest ham, genoa salame, mortadella, hot capocolla, smoky bacon), cheese (homemade boursin french brie, fresh mozzarella, fresh vermont goat cheese, aged asiago, crumbled feta, sharp cheddar, imported swiss, provolone piccante), fresh veggies (hot peppers, hass avocado, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, tomatoes, caramelized onions, baby spinach, dill pickles, red onion, grilled portabella, katamala olives, fresh oregano, green apple, tomatoes, shredded carrots), homemade spread and/or dressing (chipotle aioli, tzatziki, black olive tapenade, dijon, grainy mustard, extra virgin olive oil, hummus, caesar dressing, mayo, artichoke and lemon pesto, greek dressing, tamari tahini dressing, dried fig jam, balsamic vinegar reduction, sun-dried tomato pesto, ranch dressing), and your choice of fresh bread (cibatta, pane rustico, french baguette, focaccia, whole wheat, Iggy’s rye, pita wrap). The possibilities are endless! I’ve been impressed with everything except the salads- save your money for one of their sandwiches or frozen pastas (easy to reheat at home).
Atmosphere: 5/5 Dave’s is more of a grocery store with a sandwich counter than a restaurant, but the casual Italian deli feel gives it a rustic charm (think blackboard menu, wood floors, pantry-like grocery display, wooden counters and booths) that’s hard to find elsewhere in Davis Square. Although seating is minimal, you can typically find a spot since people don’t linger long after meals. This is a great place to pick up picnic food or groceries for a night of at home cooking. Dave’s also offers wine tasting, cooking classes, catering, and gift certificates.
Price: 4/5 The portions are huge. If you have a voracious appetite, you can probably finish a whole sandwich. Otherwise Dave’s will gladly wrap your leftovers at the counter. This is no Subway. These sandwiches are made with fresh, local ingredients, so don’t expect to shell out $5.00 for a sandwich, drink and cookie. Specialty sandwiches and pasta salads cost less than $10.00, soups and salads cost an average of $5.00 each, and calzones that serves 6-8 peoples cost $25.00. In addition, there are enough specialty meats and cheeses, fresh produce, local ice cream, and homemade spreads to entice even the most frugal wanderer to leave with a sack full of goodies.
Accessibility: 4/5 For drivers, there is metered parking along Holland Street and Buena Vista. There is also a multi-space parking lot on the corner of Buena Vista Road and Holland St. Rates for meters (accepts quarters only) and parking lot (accepts quarters, bills, credit cards) are $1.00 per hour in $0.25 increments. Public transportation goers can take the red line to Davis Station and walk less than 0.1 miles (about three minutes) to Dave’s.
Recommendations:
-Italian Sandwich {mortadella, genoa salame, hot capocolla, provolone piccante, tomato, roasted peppers, red onion, hot peppers, fresh oregano, olive oil on your choice of bread}
-Roasted Veggie Goat Sandwich {fresh Vermont goat cheese, roasted eggplant and red peppers, greens, fresh oregano, olive oil on your choice of bread}
-Hot Tomato or Minestrone Soup
-Mediterranean Wrap {tzatziki, greens, tomato, red onion, shredded carrots, cucumbers, kalamata olives, olive oil in a pita}
-Cubano Sandwich {roasted pork loin, black forest ham, imported swiss, dill pickle, chipotle aioli on your choice of bread}
-My Personal Favorite Make-Your-Own Sandwich {swiss cheese, artichoke and lemon pesto, tomato, baby arugula, avocado on grilled focaccia bread}
81 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144
617.623.0867
www.davesfreshpasta.com