by Jeanni Ritchie
When I first decided to write about National Sandwich Month, I created a list of my favorite sandwich places in Central Louisiana. There were many to choose from but I settled on my top 3. They not only serve up a delicious meal but memories as well.
Sandwich Shop #1: Critics Choice, 415 Murray Street, Downtown Alexandria
This was a childhood favorite. Dad would often take us to lunch here, at the Murray Street location when he was with APD, and the Rue Verdun location after he retired. The latter closed in 2022 but the downtown restaurant is still cranking out delicious sandwiches Monday-Friday 10:30 AM-7 PM and Saturday 10:30 AM-2 PM. Owned and operated by the Carrozza family for the last 39 years, Linda Carrozza explains why she her family decided to open a restaurant downtown long before revitalization efforts began.
“We wanted to bring a different menu to the area to bring people together. We also wanted to provide a good hot meal for those working downtown and those visiting the courthouse.” Linda remembered not only me, but my parents as well as my children. She reminisced about a birthday party held for my mom at the Rue Verdun restaurant many years ago.
“Watching people go from grumpy, hungry faces to smiles as they leave is why I do what I do,” Greg Carrozza shares.
That’s definitely how my visit went! It was 4 PM and I hadn’t eaten all day when I arrived. I had a chicken parmigiana sandwich and substituted fries for my usual chips in honor of National French Fry Day!
My dad called halfway through my meal and asked me to bring sandwiches home for him and Mom. I called Linda over.
“Mom and Dad want me to bring something home…” I started.
“Philly Cheese Steak for your dad and chicken parm for your mom?” she asked.
Incredulous I nodded. That’s exactly what they’d asked for. “How did..”
Smiling, she answered before I finished the question.
“We love our customers.”
Indeed they do.
Check out their diverse menu and dine-in or pickup options at https://criticschoicecenla.
Sandwich Shop #2: Roly Poly, 1707 Metro Drive, Alexandria
Roly Poly is my go-to on long days of journalism. Its central location in Alexandria makes it easy to drop by for a quick bite and the choices are endless.
“I eat a different sandwich every day and I never get tired of them,” owner Bob Greiner shares.
Greiner opened the Roly Poly franchise in Alexandria in 2002. I was Brame Middle School’s PTA President that year and I remember its arrival well. Not only were the sandwiches good (hot pressed roll-your-own steak, cream cheese, pepper jack, and sundried tomatoes was my go-to back then) but Roly Poly immediately began giving back to the community. Sponsoring events such as honor roll lunches and handing out coupons for good behavior, Greiner showed that being in the service industry was not only about serving food, but serving customers as well.
It is a concept his mother believes in as well. Customers have been greeted for the last 22 years by Ms. Mary Ann, who recently celebrated her 92nd birthday. She still spends a few hours a day at the restaurant, handing out free cookies to the children and hugs to all.
Stopping by recently for my fourth sandwich of the week, I decided I wanted something different. I asked them to create a grilled roll-your-own with all the cheeses, minus bleu cheese. I got a side of chipotle ranch sauce.
Oh my! That American, cheddar, Swiss, cream cheese, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, provolone creation was amazing. It became my standing order.
I call it “The Jeanni” and petition for its menu inclusion every time I go!
Check out Roly Poly’s full menu at https://rolypoly.com/menu.
Sandwich Shop #3: Home Sweet Home
Technically not a shop, but well-deserving of its appearance on the list is my own home. Serving up delicious grilled cheese sandwiches since 1969, my dad knew it wasn’t about the bread or the cheese, but about the love that came with it.
Midnight grilled cheeses after a night out were a chance for him to connect with me in the teenage years as I tried to pull away from family.
Afternoon grilled cheeses as I stopped by with four babies in tow allowed me to be cared for while in the demanding throes of motherhood.
Just last year Dad fired up the stove as I sat at his kitchen table, trying to figure out a new future through tears.
No matter what the situation was in life, Dad always had the same question.
“Do you want me to make you a grilled cheese?”
National Sandwich Month is celebrated every August.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.