If you know what a Thanksgiving sandwich is, then your mouth is already watering. If you don’t, then let me explain. Alternately known as a Pilgrim or Puritan sandwich, or even a Thanksgiving leftovers sub, these fine delicacies are made with the centerpieces of the typical holiday dinner: turkey, stuffing and cranberries. Sometimes, they include gravy or onions or other ingredients, but the key is the combination of sweet. savory and salty — even sultry — flavors.
I’ve seen the combo used on pizzas, in burritos and in dumplings, but its finest form is between two pieces of bread, something you can find at a handful of special shops around Colorado, including Pony Up, which opened in Lower Downtown five years ago as a late-night, restaurant industry-focused spot serving variations on the French dip.
“When we originally decided on the French dip menu, we knew we wanted to eventually do a turkey and gravy dip for the holiday,” said Pony Up owner Angela Neri. “It was created with amazing recipes from the original chef, Sheamus (Feeley). Our Pony Up guests loved it and have continued to love it for five years, so we haven’t changed a thing.”
Here are some other places to satisfy that day-after-T-day craving.
Pony Up
Thanksgiving Turkey Dip: Sliced turkey breast, sausage and sage stuffing, cranberry aioli and sausage gravy for dipping.
1808 Blake St., Denver; ponyupdenver.com
Tessa Delicatessen
The Grateful Turkey: This seasonal sandwich has returned for the season, with some upgrades. It boasts oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, melted Swiss cheese and burnt scallion mayo on a seeded roll.
5724 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; tessadenver.com
Yampa Sandwich Co.
The Pilgrim: This growing, Steamboat-founded company has several metro-area locations, as well as stores in Fort Collins and Steamboat Springs. Its sammie has roasted turkey, gouda, seasoned stuffing, cranberry chutney, romaine lettuce and mayo on sourdough slices.
Six locations, including two in downtown Denver; yampasandwichco.com
Pat’s Philly Steaks & Subs
P.J. Gobbler (seasonal): Oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, homemade stuffing and mayo.
Two locations in Denver and Greenwood Village; patscheesesteaks.com
Half Fast Subs
Gobbler: This college-town favorite comes with turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.
Two locations in Boulder and Fort Collins; halffastsubs.com
Colonel Mustard’s Sandwich Emporium
Major Tom (seasonal): Boar’s Head Ovengold Turkey, Monterey Jack cheese, house-made cranberry relish and stuffing on toasted sourdough.
1412 S. 21st St., Colorado Springs; colmustardsandwich.com
Biggie’s Subs + More
The Gobbler: This November treat has returned to Biggie’s in Buena Vista. Thick-carved turkey, cranberry sauce, cheddar cheese, mayo and a special flare: fried stuffing cakes.
234 US Highway 24 S, Buena Vista; biggiessubs.com
Three chains with local outlets that have Thanksgiving sandwiches
Capriotti’s
The Bobbie: This Delaware-based chain is known far and wide for its year-round Thanksgiving sandwich, which is made with slow-roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo.
Four locations between Castle Rock and Greenwood Village; capriottis.com
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
Going Home for Thanksgiving: Turkey, cranberry sauce, sriracha sauce, provolone. Founded in San Francisco, the Ike’s Love & Sandwiches chain uses its addictive Dutch Crunch bread and puts Dirty Sauce on all of its sandwiches.
8300 E. 36th Ave, Unit 130, Denver; ikessandwich.com
Which Wich Superior Sandwich
Thank You Turkey (year-round): Thinly sliced turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
12 stores in Colorado, eight on the Front Range; whichwich.com
