Zazzi Foods in Berkeley

Cubano Sandwich at Zazzi Foods in Berkeley.

Yesterday (October 5, 2018) I had some time to kill in Berkeley, so I went off on a walk down University. After an hour of window shopping, I was a bit peckish and wanted to stop for a snack and a rest. Zazzi Foods is a cafe that looks like a good place to relax over healthy fare, coffee, tea, kombucha and more.

Above and below is a small Chicken & Avocado Salad--chicken, pepitas, avocado, 3 pieces of small toast, and lemon vinaigrette over very fresh and crisp romaine lettuce. Chicken pieces are moist, and the combination with avocado and pumpkin seeds is a perfect complement, flavor and texture-wise. Quite healthy.

Above and below: the Cubano sandwich. Every once in a while, when I worked for Chef Tony in Austin, a classic pressed Cubano would be the lunch special--ham, cheese, roast pork, some butter on the pressed bread (good to have a pannini machine). I love it, but it's on that border of comfort food and junk food, like fried chicken, meatload sandwich or a Philly cheesesteak.

But this version has a few additions that makes it significantly different, and dare I suggest: better? Take a look at the bite closeup below--subbing carnitas for roast pork is no big deal, but this version has crisp dill pickles, raw jalapenos, mayo, swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard. This Cubano is both a he-man's protein bomb and healthy at the same time. And a delicious variation on a classic worth checking out.