Rare Roast Beef Sandwich
@ The Sentinel

The Dish:

The Sentinel is a sandwich shop that takes sandwiches seriously. By way of its diverse and evolving menu, attention to detail (house-made buns and pickles), and very consistent execution, it reflects a respect for the craft that I very much admire.

When you unwrap The Sentinel's rare roast beef sandwich, it's juicy in there. Sliced roast beef (pink, mind you), smoked onions, and butter lettuce find their match in the form of a dressing rich with blue and cream cheeses and a standout bun that's easy on the mouth in a few different ways: it's mildly sweet (like challah), flaky, and tender. In addition to being a softie, The Sentinel's bun is studded with sesame and poppy seeds, which evoke an earthiness that pairs well with the rich flavors of beef and blue cheese.

Key Ingredients: Rare roast beef; smoked onion; bun with sesame, black sesame, and poppy seeds; butter lettuce; dressing with cream cheese, blue cheese, vinegar, salt, and pepper

The Place:

The Sentinel is a tiny postage stamp of a shop on the corner of New Montgomery and Stevenson in the Financial District (it shares the same building as House of Shields). It's nearly a stand, since the inside is practically outside, and it's takeaway only. Due to The Sentinel's sandwich prowess and downtown location, it gets slammed with lunchtime crowds, so call ahead if you can. The good news is that the staff is skilled at managing queues with efficiency and a smile.

Tips:

• The Sentinel's rare roast beef sandwich demands immediate attention because: 1) it's just that good, and 2) the juiciness factor makes it less than ideal for leftovers.
• Some sandwiches (like the rare roast beef) sell out before 1 pm. Reserve ahead!

Other Menu Musts:

The Corned Beef Sandwich.

The Man Behind the Sandwich:

Dennis Leary is the owner, mastermind, and chef behind the small empire known as The Sentinel, Golden West, Canteen, and The House of Shields, all of which are located downtown. He also does catering.

Recommended By:

While Jill spent her childhood eschewing foods that weren't Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, she grew up to be one hungry girl with an enthusiastic palate. These days you can find her in the Mission, enjoying a good laugh.

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