There are very few foods more simple and yet more complicated than a sandwich. Whatever you can throw between two slices of bread, the varieties are infinite. Hard to get wrong, but even more challenging to get 100% right, there are very few places to get a serious grinder sandwich here in Japan, but that was before a guy named Harry turned up to change all that.<\/p>\n
The story of Harry\u2019s Sandwich Company starts with Harry himself. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, he came to Japan about seven years ago. He quickly became known for being \u201cthat guy that makes delicious sandwiches\u201d at get-togethers, due in part to having a restaurant chef for a father, and spending an inordinate time around the kitchen. At some point, someone said, \u201cyou ought to sell these, they\u2019re way better than conbini food.\u201d Hearing that, and wanting to exit the English teaching industry, he partnered with some friends who were doing events all over Tokyo and began operating a pop-up sandwich stand. He perfected his skills and decided to see about getting a food truck. However, as luck would have it, a friend of a friend in a three floor walk-up in Harajuku let him know there was an immediate vacancy and thought his sandwiches would be a great addition to the Takeshita Alley landscape. Harry\u2019s Sandwich Company At Cafe Roots was born.<\/p>\n
The shop itself is a little hard to get to thanks to the typical Tokyo backstreet labyrinthine landscape; you\u2019d better use your smartphone map app to find the building. Once you\u2019re there, though, the orange and black signs can take over and guide you off the street and up the narrow and cramped stairwell (seriously, mind your head if you\u2019re tall!) The restaurant space is small and intimate, and in the current times, certain areas and seating configurations are marked off due to social distancing. You\u2019re welcome to call and confirm the conditions before making the trek to be sure you can be seated since Harry is firm in keeping the place safe for his patrons. Warm and cozy boxes are ticked, free wifi check, Harry\u2019s is a lovely spot to drop in. Take out is also ok if you want to bring the goods back home with you instead.<\/p>\n
The menu is a sandwich lover\u2019s dream filled with all the meaty, cheesy, zesty goodness imaginable. On my most recent visit with a friend, we ordered up both the Classic Italian \u2014 a collection of three types of meat and cheeses splashed with the dressing of the same name, and the Chopped Cheese \u2014 a take on the chopped meatball and cheese served in many a New York City bodega. Both came with potato chips, but there are straight and curly fries on the menu too. For refreshment, try the homemade ginger ale for a perky pick-up; or if you\u2019re not going back to the office, turn to the extensive cocktail list and let your mind wander; Harry can mix drinks just as good as he combines bread and meats. If you\u2019re living a meatless life, Harry\u2019s got you covered with plenty of vegetarian variations dotting the menu, including a spin on the grilled cheese that will take you back to your childhood and simpler times.<\/p>\n
Harry\u2019s Sandwich Company<\/a><\/strong>
\nAddress:<\/strong> 1\u221216\u22127 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo<\/a>
\nTransport:<\/strong> JR Harajuku Station<\/a> (JY); Tokyo Metro Meiji Jingu Mae Station<\/a> (F)
\nHours:<\/strong> Wednesday – Sunday, 12 PM ~10 PM (11 PM Fri & Sat)<\/p>\n