La Sandwicherie Brickell

• Cuisine(s): French, Sandwiches, Smoothies
  Price: $ $
• Features: Takeout
  Reservations: Not Necessary
• Parking: Meters

Description

Since this French-owned eatery began selling sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and shakes in 1988, a crowd has lingered along the lengthy counter that extends up an alley off 14th Street between Washington and Collins avenues. The food is fine, but the funky alfresco charm no doubt accounts for a large part of the appeal. La Sandwicherie's counterpeople consistently start with fresh, crusty French bread from Le Chic Bakery and then ply it with the patron's preference of meat, cheese, or combination thereof (typical cold cuts and cheeses such as ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, Swiss cheese, and so forth - as well as more distinctive, Euro-friendly choices such as Camembert, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, saucisson sec and pork/duck liver pté). Crisp toppings of choice come next: lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, hot pickled red peppers, black olives, red onion, cucumber, and - the pièce de résistance - cornichons (the little French pickles that particularly perk up pté but also contribute a tantalizing tang to any sandwich that normal pickle slices only weakly mimic). Garnish-work is followed by a finishing splash of tart Dijon-based French vinaigrette. Voilà! - a damn good sandwich. Fruits get blended into smoothies or shakes, the latter frothed with frozen low-fat yogurt. Best beverage bet (but far from the most healthful): a rich, creamy, espresso-based "café shake" that chills and thrills.