The Importance of EZ-J’s
February 8th, 2005 - 3 CommentsWell, I have been dorking around trying to figure out what I want to write here and well, I have finally figured it out. I may have to dedicate this blog to the deli sandwiches of the world, the “deliticians” as Lovette would say, and all of the people out there who love getting their sando on. So, today I am going to start with one of the all time great sandwich eateries of the world…EZ J’s. For those of you who are not from San Diego, EZ-J’s is now located on Garnet and Dawes, next door to Cotija’s Taco Shop. Walk right past Cotija’s no matter how badly you want some carne and step into an EZ-J’s sandwich.
EZ-J’s Lore
EZ-J’s started life, not as EZ-J’s but as CJ’s. Yes, that is right, they did not start the incredible sandwich that is now home to EZ-J’s. Back in the early 1990’s a bodybuilder in the La Mesa area decided he wanted to open a healthy and fresh sandwich shop. He started CJ’s sandwiches on the corner where El Cajon Blvd. and Montezuma meet. A few years later, when he realized that owning a sandwich shop is something you do because you absolutely love the sandwich and not for any other reason, he decided to sell the shop. Two lads from Los Angeles purchased the shop and named it after themselves. One was named Jay and the other’s last name was Ezor….hence EZ (for Ezor) and J (for Jay). Turns out these guys were from my home town and are a few years older than I am. The operated the store in the San Diego State University area for a number of years and then decided that they would expand by opening a store in Pacific Beach. Less than a year later, the SDSU store closed and the partnership was over. Today, Jay still runs the Pacific Beach location and now has a smaller shop open somewhere in Downtown San Diego I believe.
What to Order?
Ok, now let’s get down to business. What you need to do when you get there. EZ-J’s makes hot sasndwiches. They first take the best bread you have ever had, cut it open and then toast it. When it is slightly toasted, they remove it and add your meats and cheeses and place it back in the oven for the “meltdown.” Finally, the sandwich is removed, vegetables are added along with any sauces the sandwich calls for.
My personal favorites:
The Scud Sub
This is for all of the Italian combo/torpedo lovers out there. All of your favorite Italian cold cuts, cheese and veges with a tangy dressing. Muolto bene!
The Biter’s Deluxe
This is the sandwich that started it all way back when the place was run by CJ. Chicken breast pieces, honey mustard dressing and some cheese. Oh my! If you have never been to EZ-J’s before, then this is what you must order on your first visit.
Pizza Steak
Thinly sliced sirloin, marinara sauce and some cheese. I like it “plain” which simply means, keep the damned veges off this one. A good sandwich (no it is not greasy as you would expect from the name).
Meatball
Do you see a trend here? This is another one you get plain. They don’t always have the meatballs, but it is a great version of a classic.
Chicken Salad
That is right. I like chicken salad. I get this one toasted pretty well, add the chicken salad with some onions and lettuce and sometimes mustard. A nice cold/hot thing going on here….but, still gooood.
So, as you can tell, I am a fiend for EZ-J’s. Living in SF now I don’t get to eat them like I used to (3-4 days a week). So, if you make it in there, be sure to say hello to Jay and get a game of Galaga in before you sit down to eat your sandwich.
Even though I am from Florida, I have also eaten at EZ-J’s when I am in San Diego. In fact, I have eaten at both locations, and there is no doubt this is the very best sandwich in the world!!! Not only is the sandwich the greatest,the people, especially Jay, are friendly and make sure every eating experience is great. This shop is always kept extremely clean, and the food products used are always extremely fresh. I tell everyone I know when they are making a trip to San Diego to be sure to stop in at EZ-J’s for a treat. I also want to add their salads are wonderful, too.
[...] Crikey, I’ll have been back in the US for two weeks this coming Sunday but already it feels like I’ve been here alot longer. So far I’ve managed to get sunburnt, flood a Reverend’s toilet, spend an evening on a booze cruise courtesy of Reef and eat myself almost sick at EZ-J’s. I’ve taken a raft of photos although I haven’t gotten around to sorting and uploading most of them yet, although there’s a few recent ones of Steve Woodward here that are pretty rad, and I’ll have some surfing ones up soon. [...]
I love these sandwiches, and my two roomates and I enjoy them almost weekly. It seems, however, that every 2-3 visits something is wrong with our orders. I have called in the past to state my complaints, because it usually seems to happen when I take my order to go. I am clearly not going to travel all the way back down to the restaurant because of the wrong bread. But I just want to let Jay know that the employees he has working for him either don’t listen to what the customers are ordering, or don’t care enough to prepare them correctly. I will continue to love the sandwiches, but definitely prefer to visit while Jay is behind the counter, regulating the operations.
Thank You!
Sincerely,
Melissa