From the moment I step into Dolci & Joes, I can tell this isn’t just some run of the mill sandwich/burger joint. Oh no – it has spunk!

Located at 3425 E. Douglas (just east of Hillside), I didn’t have a problem finding Dolci & Joes as the “Grand Opening” banner and colored flags caught my eye. I’m treading in uncharted waters here, people; I don’t know anybody who has tried this place. I am alone and on a mission: investigate this brand spankin’ new restaurant for verb [ICT]. I walk in the room and take in the décor. I dig. The walls are bright blue and orange and there are chalk boards all around to leave a little message. Yes, you know I will be leaving my mark. But first, get down to business…

There’s a menu on the wall. I get overwhelmed with too many options. Looking at a board of unfamiliar food is enough to make my head spin. So I do the only logical thing I can think of – I put my total trust in a complete stranger and let somebody else make the decision for me. I ask the friendly young chap behind the counter what’s good to eat in here. He asks if I’m in the mood for a sandwich or burger, hands me a take-home menu (whew, I can study up and not feel so overwhelmed next time), then runs me through some of his top picks. Then, he tells me I can make it a combo and get a side and drink for an extra $2.00. Well, yeah, that seems like a steal.

Our exchange went something like this:

What are the sides?

Fresh cut potato french fries or sweet potato fries.

Sweet potato fries? Yeah, let’s try those!

Sweet or salty?

Oh my, so many choices! I’ll try the sweet!

Now that I’ve settled on my choice of side, I get to choose my drink. The young man informs me that all drinks are made by hand.

Huh? What do you mean?

The young man pours syrup into my cup, adds water, and mixes the drink. I’m not sure why, but I’m a big fan of this little soda jerk.

So why do you do that?

Well, we can make it to your taste. Sweeter or not so sweet. And for show.

Oh yeah, this kid’s got style. I’m a fan of the soda jerk and his handmade drink.

Another friendly staff member delivers my meal to me. I must comment on how great the staff is. They are friendly, helpful, and didn’t look at me like I was a freak when I started taking pictures of my food. Ok, well, maybe they did a little, but at least there wasn’t awkward gawking and finger-pointing.

Now that I’ve scoped out the place and the staff, it’s time for the real test- the food. Initially, I didn’t think my meager little budget would let me splurge on this place all too often (sandwich, side, and drink rang up to nine bucks and some change), but when the food arrives, I change my mind. The portions are great. Not only is this my lunch, it’s also my dinner and quite possibly a late night snack when I come home with munchies after cocktails with the girls.

What I Ate:

“Smokey Bear” Turkey Sandwich
Sweetened sweet potato french fries
Handmade Coke

What I Thought:

I’m coming back next week! With portions that will last me 2+ meals and great taste, this place is my new favorite sandwich joint. And I can’t wait to try the burgers! The sandwich was served with smoked turkey, jalapeño-apricot mustard, tomatoes, lettuce, cream cheese, and pickles on cheesy rosemary bread. The jalapeño-apricot mustard is fantastic. I’m a wimp. Usually the word jalapeño sends me running to another section of the menu, but I had put my full trust in a stranger and chose his recommendation. I’m glad I did. The mustard makes this a turkey sandwich with a spicy kick, but the sweet apricot and cream cheese blend perfectly so that the “kick” doesn’t overwhelm a wimp like me. The sweet potatoes fries are a nice change from the typical chips or fries options. The serving was so large I offered some to other customers. I love the handmade soda. It’s delicious and I feel like the cute soda jerk and I now have a connection because of the TLC involved in making my custom Coke.

While I ate, General Manager Shawn Blattner came to chat and make sure I enjoyed the meal. Trained in culinary arts and restaurant management, he is the head chef and the genius behind the menu. Shawn talked with me briefly about the food and what makes it special. All of the condiments are prepared from scratch and only the freshest ingredients are used.

Restaurant Owner Joshua Crowe already feels embraced by the College Hill neighborhood. He envisions Dolci & Joes as a community place where families can come together for “food you can taste, not just eat.” Crowe seeks to eliminate the “systematic process” of serving food. He hopes to offer a restaurant experience that is about family and community, where they take the extra step in every aspect, from getting to know customers by name to giving attention to every detail to ensure food that “excites the palette with every bite.” Portions are served large so you can sit down with friends and family and share, tasting all the different flavors. If Crowe had his way, he would know every customer by name as soon as they walked in the door.

Dolci & Joes already won a place in my heart. The sandwich was fantastic and left me wondering what else this place has to offer. I left my own mark on the place, announcing that verb[ICT] loves Dolci & Joes.

One more reason to check out Dolci & Joes? They have has a “one-off menu.” What’s that? It’s an unspoken menu. So, for example, as I’m tasting my “Smokey Bear” Turkey sandwich, and I think to myself, “This really knocks my right sock off, but add some avocado and it would knock both of my socks off.” I can try this new sandwich idea, fall in love with it, name it, have them add it in their computer system, and order my “Avocado Amanda” or whatever I call it the next time I’m in. And if I choose to share the delectable dish and let my friends in-the-know, I can tell them the name of my special sandwich, and send them in to experience the one-off menu and the tasty food of Dolci & Joes.

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