Rating System

As we progress into this new week and into talking about sandos we need to have a system with which to understand the quality of a sando. Of course this is completely based on my opinion, but as an international eater and fan of sandwiches I feel comfortable throwing around my opinion. Unfortunately, that doesn't really do it for most people and I understand why. So, let's talk about a system or rating so you can gain more than just my opinion.

We'll use two different 4-point scales. Why 4 points? Because I don't want to be like every other site that reviews stuff and uses a 5 point (or star or whatever) scale.

Scale one is completely based on my subjective opinion of what is good. I'll make my ratings based on a few criteria with a "1" being a terribad sandwich and a "4" being Excalibur (otherwise known as the "Sando of Legend").

The criteria are as follows:
1) Taste
2) FoYo (Basically this is what you get Fo Yo money, the total package)
3) Size of meal*
4) Extra credit for: Service at the deli and environment, but this won't be key. It's bonus points

Now, I also want to give you something a bit more objective. Scale two will be based on "1" to "4" again, but I will outline what each essentially means:

A rating of "1" is:
The sandwich which is just awful and rates a goose-egg on the "memorability scale". It doesn't really have a package (chips, drink, etc) to boost this thing up to a "2". The size of the sandwich leaves you feeling like you ate at some shi shi restaurant that thinks crab on a cracker is a meal course, or it just doesn't have much to it in how it is dressed. If I walk out of the deli feeling like I got ripped off and you'd basically never want to eat this sandwich again, it's getting a "1". The staff could also be asking to be punched either because of poor attitude or just straight terrible sando quality!

A rating of "2" is:
The sandwich has a decent taste, nothing memorable, but nothing so bad you'd want to punch the guy that made it. This sandwich is still lacking in the package department or perhaps has some chips, slaw or some sort of mini-salad thing on the side, but nothing impressive. It also isn't huge, but is on par with what you paid or could be lacking in the dressing department. Essentially, you'd consider this sando again if your options were limited and Hot Pockets were not available.

A rating of "3" is:
This sando is solid and memorable! It might not be the greatest sando on Earth from an overall quality perspective, but it's all the things that you'd expect for what you paid for it. Perhaps it is better than expected from a dressing or total package perspective. The deli gave it a little something more than the standard pickle on the side. It is of good size and the quality of the ingredients are there regardless of how they taste together (you can tell good stuff was used even if the taste doesn't turn out spectacular). Basically, I got something that was done right and I walked out thinking I got a good deal for what I paid because of all the extras, the quality or even the service.

A rating of "4" is:
Solely reserved for the cream of the crop. This sandwich (again, regardless of taste) was well done. High quality ingredients, good size, solid and high quality dressings, good stuff on the side, and for the money, I'm left thinking this is a screaming deal. The deli staff also knew what they were doing and took care of the customer. Perhaps the environment of the deli was cool too. Overall, even with taste not being considered, this was done in a way that makes you want to eat this sandwich over and over again. Really though, the expectation of something rating an objective "4" will probably taste great too.

So that's it. I'll take feedback on the system as I want to ensure my "Knights of the Deli Counter" know they are getting a great sando when I say they are getting a great sando.

Until next time keep eating!

* Okay so being an Italian kid I have a system when it comes to rating Italian food which I am also going to use here. You cannot consider Italian food "good" or "great" unless it:
a) Tastes good
b) There is a ton of it (mangia mangia baby!)
c) Tt doesn't cost an arm and a leg (seriously there is pasta here it shouldn't cost a ton).
Basically size of portion is important!

The Quest Begins

As a guy with an Italian family background you can be sure that one stereotype fits with me, I love food and further I love to eat it. My 3 favorite foods are as follows:
1) Meatloaf
2) Meatloaf Sandwiches
3) All other Sandwiches in general

I know it's missing the old Italian standbys and it isn't that I don't love Italian food. God knows I love cooking it and eating it , but sandwiches are amazing, dare I say, perfect.

I am on a quest, a quest to find a bigger, better, tastier sando. If it turns out to be a meatloaf sando, then all the better. As I travel, eat lunch, eat dinner and, yes, eat breakfast I will be looking for the greatest sandwich I can find. I have faith in my eating abilities, but I also have the conviction necessary to find the sandwiches of which legends are made.

Come along with me on my search to find the Excalibur of Sandos.