A Sandwich a Day: Italian Hero from Ken's Artisan Bakery in Portland, Oregon
http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/09/kens-artisan-italian-hero-pdx-portland-oregon-sandwiches.htmlKen's Artisan in NW Portland is reputed as the go-to place for what many consider to be the best bread in Portland. The other Ken's, across the river, is a pizza restaurant and equally stellar. For the westsiders who want to stay in their neighborhood, Ken's Artisan Bakery does pizza every Monday night, and it rocks.
Actually, you can't go wrong with anything they bake or make. Largely due to the bread, along with fresh, seasonal ingredients, any sandwich listed on the daily changing blackboard menu is going to be excellent.
My favorite, at the moment, is the Ken's Hero, built with a trio of Italian meats (mortadella, salami and a peppery capicola,), aged asiago cheese, house-pickled onions and shredded iceberg lettuce. (Iceberg has made a recent and strong comeback appearing in salads and on sandwiches all over town.)
Ken's always manages to find that perfect balance between meat and cheese. Their ciabatta roll is the "hero" of this hero, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and with a great taste throughout.