Andy's Sandwiches & Smoothies is a local favorite in the Manoa Valley of Honolulu, and for good reason. It's a family run business opened since 1977 where the owners know you by name, and the bread—a soft whole wheat number—is baked in-house daily. It's hard to pick a favorite among the myriad of sandwich offerings but everyone loves the Ahi Spread Sandwich ($5.85), which includes lettuce, tomatoes, slices of cheddar cheese, and mashed local avocados. The lightly salted ahi spread is housemade—imagine a tuna salad, only better. Right before the sandwich is finished with the top slice of bread, the woman behind the counter will take a plastic container (the Costco kind with a shaky lid) and sprinkle on a helping of Andy's secret spice mix. What's in it? Who knows! I can pick out paprika, pepper, and steak seasoning. The rest must be magic.
By Kathy YL Chan