Lunch #1: Freshly Baked (San Jose)

The ground rules have been established. Our rating system of 1-10 decided on. Over 40 suggestions have flooded in to my Facebook page. We are locked and loaded and ready to eat.

My dad and I headed to Downtown San Jose for the inaugural lunch of Plate Lunch With Boom Boom. We've been eating lunch on a weekly basis together for the last year, mostly at our favorite Hawaiian BBQ joint in Cupertino called J&J on Stevens Creek and Budd across from DeAnza College. My dad being from Oahu, Hawaii - he knows about these things and what a good plate lunch (meat, rice and mac salad) should be - and J&J is always a home run, so much so that they catered the rehearsal dinner for my wedding.

LUNCH #1: Freshly Baked 

Freshly Baked is hidden in an office building and isn't visible from the street, you've got to know about it to find it. Inside you'll find a simple deli counter with fresh meats on display and the smell of freshly baked sourdough bread fills the room and you can't miss the rotisserie spinning roasted chicken and turkey. They have a simple menu of about 16 different sandwiches and they all cost $7 from what we could tell. This place is very East Coast, service was friendly and super fast - we ordered and had our sandwiches in no less than three minutes - they have it down to a science. All their sandwiches come with mayo, mustard, red onion, lettuce and swiss cheese - unless you say otherwise. When we walked out to sit on their patio with lunch, we were stunned to see a line of about 15-20 people out the door. We showed up at just the right time.

THE ORDER:
Boom Boom was torn between roast beef, pastrami and turkey but went for the pastrami.

Doug went for the turkey and pastrami combo.

The pastrami was lean and delicious, but the fresh bread puts this sandwich spot over the top and separates it from just a normal deli. My dad thinks it was one of the best sandwiches he's ever had and I'd have to put it in the top as well, although I might struggle to choose between a sandwich between Freshly Baked and Zanotto's. If you're in the mood for a great sandwich and a lover of fresh warm bread, this lunch spot is a must hit. We will both be back and it was a great way to start off Plate Lunches With Boom Boom.



FRESHLY BAKED
152 N. 3rd St.  Downtown San Jose
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30-2:30pm
Our Rating: 8 out of 10 or "Brok da Mout" (Outstanding in Hawaiian slang)