still searching...

It's taken over 3 months, but I've finally come to terms with the fact that I will not find a sandwich as good as Roma's here in Rochester. I don't know what I was thinking. I clearly overestimated Rochester, and after 11 years of weekly Roma's I think I was lulled into a false sense of security. Sigh. Here's where Rochesterians, their palates apparently destroyed by Genny Cream Ale, will tell you to go get a sub. (For an accurate assessment, for my first experience at each place I tried to order my typical choice at Romas- turkey, fresh mozz, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo).

1. DiBella's: This was the first recommendation I received from everyone I asked. I was skeptical because they're a local chain. I was also turned off by their strong branding, a gimmicky claim that they make "Olde Fashioned Submarine Sandwiches". Whatever. The "olde fashoined" old timey looking photos look stupid next to the giant fridge stuffed with bottles of Vitamin Water. Long story short, my typical Roma's order was not possible because they don't have fresh mozzarella (nobody does here). So I got swiss instead. Basically, it was maybe a step above subway. Decent bread, but pressed watery turkey and giant hunks of white onion instead of thinly sliced red onion. I have returned to DiBella's, to try their hot roast beef that comes with a side of auj ju. Not bad, but nothing to jump up and down about.

2. Rubino's: I really had high hopes for this place, as it's an old school Italian import store with a full on deli and butcher shop. Once again, I attempted to get my Roma's usual. Almost worse than not even offering fresh mozz: giving me an attitude when I ask for it. Although it wasn't listed on the menu, I thought they might have it given the large cheese section they had. The sandwich making lady, who had a fugly cold sore on her lip, stated, "Well, I have to go to the deli to get it" so I said, "Nevermind" and silently hoped that she would soon suffer from diarrhea. It wouldn't have mattered anyways because 1) they use pressed watery turkey, sliced buddha knows how long ago and 2) they don't make the genius meat/cheese tube roll method employed by our Roma's boys. My Rubino's experience was, once again, Subway with better bread.

3. Wegmans: The best I've found, but I can't really describe what differentiates Wegmans from the others I've described. Ingredient wise they're comparable- pre sliced turkey, decent bread, limited cheese choices. Maybe convenience makes it taste better. I think for now, this will be my sub place of choice.

So, Roma's is still the best. I should mention that during my trip to Saratoga last week, they were out of fresh mozz, which was total bullshit. I was told, however, that the day before my arrival the bread truck couldn't get through due to snow, and thus they were only selling wraps. WRAPS. That would have been a problem....