Side Hustle Sandwiches

I'm not sure how literal the name Side Hustle Sandwiches is. I should have asked if this place was a bar first and maybe someone just decided that putting stuff into buns or between slices of bread would be a good way to make a few bucks and satisfy customers who had come for the craft beer? If so, good thinking!  All I know for sure is that this was another one of those places that I came across on Google Maps and was smitten by their menu. I mean, I like sandwiches and these sounded good!

Located on East 8th, a block west of Main, this is a stupid area for finding parking. Fortunately, it was a beautiful Saturday and we did not mind having to go for a little walk. We arrived just as they were opening and had no problem getting seated. They screwed me up by having more on their menu than their website menu shows and having specials as well! So much for my carefully choreographed sampling order.

We ordered 3 sandwiches and 2 sides (for 2 people) which confused and delighted our servers. These days I always advise staff that I will be ordering too much but it's not because the advancing years are affecting my mind (although they clearly are). The first sandwich was called, Hock Ya Bud, a smoked pork hock, egg and cheese on a brioche bun affair. Please note that it is only served from 11 to 1 as you don't want to miss this! The menu mentions house-made ketchup but I failed to ask how much of the rest of the menu is made in-house. You probably don't even need me to tell you that this was amazing! How could it not be? Watch out for exploding perfectly runny egg with your first bite!

The Pozole Sopa was a weekly feature with pork butt and I am going to go ahead and assume that huge amounts of pork butt had been prepared in the kitchen for both of their weekly features. This was a warming and rich soup with lots of garlic and even hints of orange. Very Nice!

We had to try their Midnight Smash Burger. While my photo shows the nicely cooked patty (could have been a little crispier around the edges for my smash burger tastes) it does not show the cheddar, house-made pickles and other goodies that contribute to a very nice and beefy burger.

Pretty good Peoples Elbow Mac n Cheese. The topping was nicely garlicky bread crumbs.

Finally came another weekly feature item, Japanese Luau Pork Bottom. House Teriyaki, pork butt, grilled pineapple and crushed jalapeno potato chips were all contributors to our favourite sandwich of the afternoon. Just a little sweet and again very rich on really good brioche, this should be on their regular menu! BTW, prices here are really quite reasonable for what you get! Check out their online menu.

Our server (whose name I did not get because I am too self-involved and socially inept) was great and friendly and accommodating! The vibe (do people still say vibe?) was wonderful here. Mostly communal tables and a bit of a basement bar feel with Wrestlemania on one television and hockey on the other! The music is evidently a house playlist and features local talent and we loved it. Hearing a Five Alarm Funk song reminded me of the Jazz Festival and the fact that it will be back this summer! That alone was enough to leave me in a good mood for the rest of the afternoon! Find the time to visit Side Hustle Sandwiches and you will not be sorry!

Food                  4 1/2 out of 5

Comfort             4 1/2 out of 5

Service              4 1/2 out of 5

Value                 4 1/2 out of 5