Great Sandwiches: Introducing Keith Garabedian of The Hot Diggity
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
"I have never been a fan of circles of meat on a long roll."
Editor's Note: In the days leading up to our inaugural GREAT SANDWICHES EVENT happening on May 28th (get your tickets HERE!)we're going to be introducing the sandwich-centric heavy hitters taking part in this totally awesome celebration of sandwiches. Today we're talking sandwiches with Keith Garabedian, the hot dog honcho at The Hot Diggity .
Favorite sandwich: Banh mi. As much as a love a good burger or a pastrami sandwich, the banh mi is a sandwich that has the perfect balance of savory, salty, and spicy. It has a huge range of textures and flavors and I can eat one and not feel like taking a nap afterwards which is good if I eat one before a long day at work.
Least favorite sandwich: The meatball sub, for some reason I have never been a fan of circles of meat on a long roll, just never really made sense to me. That Being Said Eli Kulp's duck meatball sandwich is pretty awesome!
Most memorable sandwich experience: There are two hot dog experiences that really stick out to me. The first time I ever had the classic Philly surf and Turf combo was a real eye open for me. Here are these two really separate things, a hot dog, and fish cake. They come together great though! It was not what i expected it to be. The other experience was the first time I had cream cheese on a hot dog. It was another one of those crazy combos that kind of blew my mind when I had it.
Best Philadelphia pandwich:I've been eating The Bavarian at Wursthaus Schmitz in Reading Terminal a lot. That's saying a lot since it has pried me away from Hershel's Special, another great Philly Sandwich. There are so many great sandwiches in Philly, it's impossible to pick just one. Especially all the "new school" sandwiches around town, From Wursthaus, to SPTR, to Paesano's, to Nick Marci's Border Spring Farm Sandwiches,to High Street on Market, to Jake's Sandwich Board, and I'll even throw in my own Hot Diggity... Philadelphia is so much more than the cheesesteaks and roast pork (Although I will always enjoy those too). Philadelphia has an amazing sandwich culture outside of those two mainstream staples.
Sandwich deal breaker: The bread might not be the star of the show but it is the foundation of everything. Good bread is the key to start with. Also, ice cold bread is a deal breaker.
