Jodie and I love sandwiches.

Honestly, there isn’t much we won’t eat if you put it between two slices of bread and hand it to us with a napkin.

For months, our Avon Lake contingent of Buzz Nation has been politely but firmly telling us we had no business calling ourselves sandwich people until we made a trip to Sam’s Supper Club.

If you aren’t aware, Chef Sam Boccuti overcame a lung cancer diagnosis — plus a twenties spent professionally partying and a self-proclaimed knack for terrible business decisions — to build one of the most thriving sandwich shops on the westside.

And before you even open the door, you get a pretty good sense of Sam’s personality.

“I assure you, we are a sandwich shop,” reads the sign out front.

Self-deprecating. Funny. Like being in your favorite uncle’s garage. Exactly the feel you want from a place that is about to ruin all other sandwiches for you.

We walked in to a warm greeting and started studying the menu like it was a final exam. The only problem? We showed up at 3:15 p.m., which, as Sam regretfully informed us, is dangerously close to quitting time in sandwich world.

No warm options left.

But we had heard enough about this place to know the rules: when a sandwich shop sells out, that is not a red flag. You know you’re in the right place.

My eyes locked on to the words “Fried Onion” in the description for the Rajai and I made my decision faster than my brain could process.

Named after Rajai Davis of Game 7 World Series home run fame, The Rajai is a glorious stack of thick house beef, crispy fried onion, spicy giardiniera, cheesy caramelized onion dip, and mixed greens, all tucked between two fresh slabs of focaccia.

It is rich. It is messy. It has crunch, heat, salt, softness, and just enough greens to make you feel like you are making responsible adult decisions.

Jodie went with Diamond Lil’s, a turkey thang layered with bacon jam, mixed greens, heirloom tomato, and a bright, herby mayo.

We added fresh-made chips and caramelized onion dip, then took our haul up to Miller Park for a proper Westside picnic.

Check out the full menu here to support a Westside staple.

Were we hungry? Yes.

Did these sandwiches transport us to a higher plane of turkey-and-beef enlightenment? Also yes.

By the end, we were sitting there in full satiated sandwich silence.

So yes, Buzz Nation was right.

Sam’s Supper Club is absolutely worth the trip. Just do yourself a favor and go earlier than we did.

We’re already planning our return visit with the focus and determination of people who have unfinished sandwich business.

‍