The Overstuffed Sandwiches From This Oregon Deli Are the Stuff of Dreams

Confession time: For more years than I'd care to admit, I was something of a sandwich cynic. Sure, I thought, there were a couple of good ones out there, but I associated them more with a hasty outdoor meal than a food worth savoring. The truth was, I just hadn't ever had an exceptional sandwich. Imagine my surprise when, after years of believing I had all the facts, a single bite of a turkey showstopper showed me how wrong I'd been.

Today, I'm a staunch believer in the well-made sando. Sandwiches, to me, are a high-wire culinary art. That is to say, the bad ones are bad, and the good ones are transcendent. Luckily for us all, in recent years, more and more creatives have applied their prodigious talents to the humble sandwich, elevating this lunchtime fare to its rightful heights.

Tucked just south of Portland's Ladd's Addition, the Baker's Mark is doing just that.

It just so happens that the life-changing turkey sandwich I had was served on Dutch crunch bread, a delightfully chewy loaf covered in something like a savory, rice-based craquelin. Though it's similar to a bread baked in the Netherlands called tijgerbrood, or "tiger bread," Dutch crunch, as we know it in the U.S., hails from California's Bay Area, where it's a staple in delis throughout cities like San Francisco.

All this to say, when I found out that the Baker's Mark specializes in Dutch crunch bread, I was already halfway sold. Expect a line if you visit this spot during lunchtime. Baker's Mark has earned a hungry following, with some customers making almost daily pilgrimages to place their orders. With so many regulars, there's a genuine neighborly atmosphere within Baker's Mark, a bubbly energy that's fed—no pun intended—at least in part by the feverish pace of the sandwiches being churned out.

If you were bummed out about there not being a build-your-own option, don't be. For one, the Baker's Mark menu is quite large, with multiple cold, hot, and meatless selections. What's more, the sandwiches on offer are expertly composed and cover all the classics, from the mouth-watering French dip to the eye-widening Godfather; you'll find something that hits the spot. Trust the process and the choices on the menu. They've not earned their following on looks alone.

But there's no denying that looks are at least a part of every dining experience. After all, we eat with our eyes, don't we? In this regard, sandos at Baker's Mark are hard to beat. Each sub comes packed with ingredients, all deliciously fresh. Truth be told, I'd take a sandwich with scant but high-quality fillings over one stuffed with limp deli meat. Luckily, at the Baker's Mark, subs aren't crafted with a more-is-more mentality. Though they're big enough to count for lunch and dinner, every ingredient that makes it into the sandwich feels justified. Proportions of meat, veggies, cheese, and spread are carefully considered, as is their ratio of bread to fillings. The result is a transcendent sandwich experience, one you'll want to repeat over and over.

If you're hungry near Portland's Ladd's Addition, I highly recommend popping by the Baker's Mark. I'd go so far as to say this local gem is one of the city's most delicious secrets. Whether you take your meal inside or to-go, it will set your new standard for habit-forming sandwiches. Just be advised: The subs here will ruin you for lesser fare, so come ready for a personal sandwich renaissance.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip to Portland to try one of these delicious sandwiches using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.