THE CLASSIC FRENCH Dip at Sourdough & Co. in Huntington Beach.

By John M. Borack
Orange County Tribune

Since I follow several online food bloggers and reviewers on social media, information
about various restaurants pops up on my Instagram and Facebook timelines with some
degree of regularity. If the establishment sounds good and is in close enough proximity,
I bookmark it on Yelp and eventually pay them a visit.

Such was the case with Sourdough & Co. in Huntington Beach. A co-worker and I were recently looking for a lunch spot that was new and different, I recalled seeing an Instagram blurb about S&C, titled “Hidden Sandwich Gem in Huntington Beach,” and off we went.

Sourdough & Co. is a relatively small chain with about a dozen locations in Orange County. We visited the one located at the Bella Terra mall; according to S&C’s website,nthere is another Huntington Beach location coming soon (on Goldenwest Street.). After finding a primo parking spot — something of a miracle at Bella Terra—we perused the
options at the counter.

The front of their printed menu says “Sandwiches, Soup and Salads,” but they also serve what look to be some very tasty flatbread S&Co.’s sandwiches are served on their freshly baked sourdough bread (naturally) and come in 4”, 6”, and 8” sizes.

I opted for the 6” French Dip and about two bites in, I definitely rued not going for the 8”. Simply put, this is one of the best French Dip sandwiches I have ever tasted. The warm sourdough bread is just perfect: slightly crunchy on the outside (but not “tear-the-roof-of-your-mouth” crunchy) and soft and pillowy on the inside. It holds together the tender, thinly sliced roast beef, slightly tangy Swiss cheese, and they don’t skimp on the beef, either, which is top round London Broil and served warm.

One of my biggest complaints about sandwich shops is the inability to take small bites from a sandwich without entire slices of meat being extricated from the sandwich. No such problem at Sourdough & Co., though: this roast beef is so tender that small bites are not an issue.

FIND THEM at Bella Terra.

My lunch companion was craving something a bit spicier, so they went for the Cholula Chicken sandwich: carved chicken marinated in green Chili cholula and jalapeno ranch dressing, topped with the house spread, lettuce, tomato, crisp jalapenos, and pepperjack cheese. Their assessment of their sandwich was similar to mine: great flavor with fresh ingredients.

The menu at S&C is varied and should have something to please nearly anyone. (They also offer kids meals.) Next time I might try the Pastrami Reuben sandwich…or maybe the Smoked Brisket…or the New England Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl…or perhaps the Greek or Italian Salad. Another plus: you can choose from seven different types of artisan cheeses for your sandwiches.

Sourdough & Co. is located at 7821 Edinger Ave., Ste. 122, in Huntington Beach. You
can find them online at Sourdough And Co.com.