I just had an amazing breakfast sandwich prepared at a tiny corner Dominican bodega on Cass Street,…read moreTrenton, NJ.
Fernandez Deli & Grocery changed hands about six months ago. New owners are Dominicans, formerly from Jersey City, and now becoming entrepreneurs in our capital. The shop is very small, with a deli/grill operation in front, and a convenience grocery in back. The young proprietress was friendly and engaging; happy to introduce me to her new family business. When I asked for a business card to be able to enter the tienda into Yelp, she apologized for not yet having cards, but gladly wrote the contact information down for me on a Post-It.
Their menu is high on the wall. Hot and cold sandwiches, a small buffet behind glass with some good looking dishes, and fresh empanadas above them. I asked for a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich on a roll. The menu said the price was $3. Honestly, I did not expect much.
What I got nearly blew my mind. I watched as the cook sliced up a length of spicy turkey sausage, and put them on the grill. Looked like a lot for the Kaiser Roll I envisioned. It would have been, but they weren't doing Kaiser. They pulled out a foot long torpedo, sliced it, and put it next to the meat to heat up. Then, he grabbed three eggs, cracked them on the edge of a plastic bowl and whipped them with a fork. Finally, he separated four slices of "Yellow" cheese for future application. A spread of mayo and ketchup to the inside of the toasting bread, and he was ready to put it all together.
What I saw when I opened the foil wrapped package on my desk was a masterpiece. Melted cheese on top of the eggs folded to fit neatly within the roll, and a solid base layer of darkly browned thin sausage, with just enough ketchup and mayo showing at the edges. First bite was fantastic, as each element introduced itself to my tongue, and then mixed together as I chewed this still hot delight. It was easily two sandwiches. The cup of Columbian coffee that I snagged while waiting was the perfect washdown.
Perhaps, the best morning sandwich I have ever had the pleasure to consume, and the entire treat set me back a magnificent 4 bucks! Are you kidding me?!
PRO TIP - You have to be into divey Latino stores to feel good about being in Fernandez's. While my visit was fun for me, it is not for everyone. A little Espanol helps, but is not required, as the owner was totally bilingual. The cook and butcher chopping up the side of bacon were a different matter.
Revuelvo absolutamente!
