How To Find Great Sandwiches (and New Friends) in Detroit

Today’s episode is all about Detroit sandwich culture, community, and the power of sharing good food with good people.

I’m joined in studio by Carlos Parisi, the mind behind Sandwich Week, for a wide-ranging conversation on where to find great sandwiches across the region – and how those places help you make real-life connections, not just grab lunch and go.​

02:24 - Honoring Greg Mudge

We start by remembering the late Greg Mudge of Mudgie’s, whose new honorary street sign that went up over the weekend recognizes just how much he did to shape Detroit’s modern restaurant and bar scene.

Carlos shares personal stories about Greg as a mentor, community builder, and straight shooter who helped countless businesses get off the ground and pushed people to be better.​

05:55 - 10 Rapid-fire sandwich takes

Then I put Carlos through 10 rapid-fire sandwich questions, starting with the eternal “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” (he says no, emphatically).

We get into toasted vs. untoasted bread, mayo vs. mustard, pickles, diagonal vs. straight cuts, fries and chips on the sandwich, bologna nostalgia, and why texture, temperature, and proper “shredduce” (shredded lettuce) make or break a great bite.​

15:37 - Sandwich Week 2025 preview and schedule

From there, we dig into Sandwich Week 2025, running December 26–31 in its 12th year. Carlos walks through the schedule: 

• Friday, Dec. 26 – Mudgie’s (12–3 p.m.): Kicking things off where so much started, with the Uncle Carlos sandwich back on the menu.​
• Saturday – Vesper Books & Wine (12-3 p.m.): A first-ever Sandwich Week pop-up with Ayiti Spaghetti​
• Sunday – Ladder 4 (12-3 p.m.): Wild, creative sandwiches from one of the top spots in the country, plus that off-the-beaten-path wine-bar vibe.​
• Sunday night – Dakota Inn Ratskeller (ticketed dinner, 6 p.m.): A 15-foot sandwich built on a giant table in the newly revived basement German wine bar! Plus sides, Aunt Nee’s chips and salsa, and two drinks with your ticket.​
• Monday – Rocco’s (12-3 p.m.): A must-visit Italian market stop with art between two slices of bread.​
• Tuesday lunch (12–3 p.m.) – Tall Trees: Ferndale’s small-but-mighty cafe, with obsessive attention to thoughtful sandwiches.​
• Finale – Batch Brewing (6 p.m.): Closing things out under the big tent with a special smoked-meats sandwich lineup and a big community raffle with concert tickets, gift cards, and more from businesses across Metro Detroit.

There are also a number of sidequests with deals at Gonella's, Pietrzyk Pierogi, JP's Makes and Bakes, Last Chance Saloon, Bev's Bagels.

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