TJ's Deli - Please come back to Greensboro. +Sicilian recipe
by Liv | Published on August 27th, 2009, 7:51 am | Food
Imagine the picture. It's five years ago, and I've just gotten back to Greensboro from my 5 years away out west, I roll in to town with my mouth watering, and my eyes glazed over ready for my #60 Sicilian from TJ's Deli. This is the place I grew up at. Our "hangout." They use to have a location right across from Brassfield shopping center, and I spent much of the later part of my High School dinners eating at this establishment. One friend loved their French dip, another their salads, me it was always the Sicilian sandwich. In fact I missed this sandwich so much, that while living in California, my only alternative was to try and duplicate it myself. (See below) Don't get me wrong, mine is good.... but TJ's? Well, it's better. I'll admit it. Part of it was I had no idea what went on it. There was no website, and I had no instructions... today there is, but I still think you would be hard pressed to duplicate it. So when I get back to NC, and drive over to the shopping center that it use to be in, and see bearded bald construction workers remodeling the place for another merchant who when we ask them about it replied "What's TJ's"- I dropped to my knees, put my arms in the air and screamed "Why God, Why?"
Fast forward to yesterday. I was familiar of the existence of the Winston Salem locations from some previous Internet research. So when I found myself driving through Winston yesterday, and hungry, I thought; "let's see if it's in the GPS!" Sure enough, there was "TJ's Deli"and we drove right to it. "Oh yes... pure sweet victory!" Hallelujah, the gates of heaven open up.... and there was me and my sandwich and a rock ballad soundtrack to the finest moment of my day.
...And OMG... this is one of those moments in life that doesn't occur very often. Like reuniting with your long-lost twin you never knew you had, or finding out your favorite child-hood toy is getting made into a live-action movie. (Still waiting for 'Jem'.)
First let me explain. Everything, and I mean everything at TJ's Deli is AMAZING!!!! Secondly... Their chips are untouchable in comparison to anyone else. It's like deep-friend potatoes cooked by the hands of the Gods and sprinkled with flavors that only come from utopia. If you want my recommendation though, what you have to try, then it's the Hot Sicilian..... you won't regret it.
60.Hot Sicilian
Ham, pepperoni, grilled onion, banana peppers, thousand island dressing, tomato sauce, provolone cheese,
lettuce and tomato. 6.55
Shan, was smitten by the Pastrami:
...order that with some fries and prepare yourself to begin contemplating moving to Winston Salem. It's life changing, no it's as if someone made a deal with the devil and gave their souls so they could sell the most perfect deli-sandwich in the world. Everything is fresh, hand-made, insanely flavorful and dripping with gooey hot goodness.
My only complaint? There is not one in Greensboro. I don't know what we did to upset these folks, but the chamber of commerce should put an incentive together to get this place back. We could make the Sicilian the mascot of Greensboro. Claim that we're the a "Spicy City" (There's your slogan) and all live happily ever after dripping a hot Sicilian all over ourselves. It's like sex for the taste-buds.
- TJ's DELI
1211 Silas Creek Parkway
Parkway Plaza Center
Winston-Salem, NC 27127
Phone: (336) 748-0155
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-10pm Sun 12pm(Noon)-10pm
If you're really in a bind and can't get to Winston you can always make your own Sicilian Sandwich (#60) to get you by:
TJ's Deli Sicilian Sandwich Recipe
Sicilian Food and recipes may seem to have some vague familiarity with most American palettes but most people only know that is generally a spicier variation on the Italian foods. Sicilian food which name extends from Sicily Italy is generally a reference to food that originated from Southern Italy. To be technically correct, Sicily once a separate entity from Italy is as most islands secluded varied from the mainland cuisine, linguistics, and culture.
Ingredients:
bread rolls of your choice.
Italian marinara
Provolone cheese
bacon
pepperoni
mayonnaise
ham
shredded lettuce
sliced tomato
1000 island dressing
yellow sliced banana peppers
grilled onions
Method:
1.Cook bacon & grill onions.
2.Lightly grill ham and pepperoni on griddle.
3. Warm marinara.
4.Assemble sandwich with mayonnaise, dressing, banana peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and meats.
5. Place on cooking sheet in preheated oven at 250° F for approximately 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.