Earl of Sandwich Now Lording Its Meaty Goods Over San Jose

Bow down to this culty sandwich chain, peasants

The first NorCal location of the popular sandwich chain, often found in airports, casinos, and Florida, has opened in San Jose. It’s known for toasted sandwiches made on proprietary bread that stays soft in the middle and crunchy on the outside, with combos like a roast beef sandwich with cheddar and horseradish sauce. And, as the name implies, it was founded by a direct descendent of the Earl himself. Additionally, each sandwich priced at $7.50, which feels like a mega-deal in this $12 sandwich world.

The Gibson opens October 5

Robin Song, former chef d cuisine at Hog & Rocks, is on the verge of opening the live fire-focused restaurant in the Hotel Bijou, located in the heart of the Tenderloin. It’s a first, more immediate stop on the way to opening his passion project, Junju, a Korean concept he’s been operating as a pop-up.

African pizzas now served at former Little Baobab

The smaller version of Bissap Baobab is now a pizza restaurant, serving both traditional and Sengalese pizzas. After a fire in 2016, owner Marco Senghor had trouble focusing the restaurant, which served food that was a little too similar to its big sister next door. Now it’s 19th St. Pizza, offering thin-crust pies with three Senegalese options: yassa, barbecue chicken, and seafood. Senghor was inspired by the success of Indian pizzas, like those served at Zante’s and Navi Kitchen.

Clove and Hoof’s opening an old-school soda shop next door

The Oakland butcher shop is opening The Fountain, a retro soda fountain with egg creams, sundaes, sodas, and more. Co-owner John Blevins and Ana Gosnell are making sodas and bitters from scratch, with ingredients from Oakland’s Five Flavors Herbs, to be served from behind a large counter in the 700-square-foot space. Expect lots of savory renditions from the meat-oriented crew.