Pop + Dutch Earns a 'Best Bite' Award for Their Sensational Chef Salad Sandwich

TheYearRounder bestows a Best Bite award on the innovative
Chef Salad Sandwich, piled high at Pop + Dutch in PTown.

When I walked into Pop + Dutch (say Pop and Dutch) on a rare afternoon off a little while back, starving, I had no idea what I would order. Everything they offer in this eccentric little neighborhood market is top notch. with nearly everything made right there, fresh, from scratch.

They bake their own buttermilk biscuits, along with pies made from fresh, seasonal fruits, and whatever other pastry, goody or dessert that might strike them at any given moment. They roast their own veggies, turkey and beef, too, so all of this keeps the Pop + Dutch oven working at a pretty constant pace, cranking out something tasty all day long.

So they don’t bake all of their own bread, but they do make the focaccia for their Myrna Minkoff sandwich, named for an off-beat fictional character in John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A Confederacy of Dunces. The Agent Dale Cooper sandwich is 
house-made turkey breast, with cheddar, smashed avocado, mayo, pickled shallots, tomato and butter lettuce on 7-grain bread. It’s named after the quirky FBI agent who has a nefarious alter ego, and an inordinate fondness for cherry pie, in the outré 1989 TV series Twin Peaks. Beginning to see what I mean by “eccentric,” aren’t you? That's part of the fun of Pop + Dutch. A certain lightheartedness is likely to overtake you upon walking through the door.

Behold the radiant sandwich! (from Pop+Dutch Facebook page)

When I asked what I'd have for lunch that day, co-owner Rebecca first determined that there was, indeed, nothing I don't like. Vegan, vegetarian or whole hog, I'm in. After a moment's thought, she suggested I try the Chef Salad sandwich, and repaired to the kitchen to whip one up for me. Just like it sounds, it brings all of the elements of a chef's salad together in a sandwich.
Tender leaves of butter lettuce, slices of sweet, ripe tomato and hard-boiled egg are layered between Swiss cheese, cheddar, Black Forest ham, and turkey that tastes like Thanksgiving, because at Pop + Dutch, they roast it and carve it right in their own kitchen. Stack all of this on a big, fresh Iggy's brioche roll, add a little ranch mayo dressing, and you've got a dandy of a sandwich. A distinctive taste, along with the superb quality and the inventive use of the ingredients, earned this sandwich a Best Bite award from TheYearRounder, because it was easily the best thing I ate in PTown during that entire week.

Owners Sean and Rebecca refer lovingly to their little market as "a sandwich shop and pint-sized general store" in Provincetown's West End, at 147 Commercial Street, right at the foot of Conant Street. It's in the midst of a little cluster of charming galleries, gift shops and antiques.

As I mentioned, nearly everything in their deli section is made right in their own tiny kitchen, including an unusual, spicy pimento cheese, and jams made from whatever beautiful fresh fruits the seasons bring. Either one can go on a fresh biscuit, right out of the oven, for your breakfast. Get here early; the biscuits sell out.

Fresh produce, bread and dairy, coffee filters, specialty pastas,
olive oil, cookies, crackers, lube… All the basics are here for you.

They get beautiful produce from local farmers any time they can, and they use cage free eggs from farms where the hens are treated well. They treat their customers, and their employees, like treasured friends. In short, their ethics are intact. That's another reason why we love this little shop.
Besides their phenomenal sandwiches, salads, desserts, vegetarian and vegan choices, and gluten-free options, you'll also find basic groceries and a few sundries here as well. 
They stock a small but thoughtful assortment of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies, treats from local farmers when available, and Iggy's Bread, in Cambridge, brings fresh breads, croissants and sticky buns daily. Milk, eggs and other staples are here, along with a few basic housewares, like retro style enamelware plates, cups and coffee pots, just in case you find your condo a little lacking. And don't forget the lube.
Whether it's a great cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich you need, or just the coffee filters, you'll find them here. Pick up the Sunday paper and some fresh strawberries, or a can of fine Italian tomatoes and a good olive oil, or an award-winning sandwich to take with you to the beach.
If you've not yet discovered this little jewel of a shop, it's worth the stroll to the West End. You'll be happy you found Pop + Dutch.

More PTown Winter Meal Specials

John had a short stack, coffee, and the Sunday Paper.

John enjoyed the pancake breakfast special offered last Sunday by Far Land Provisions, along with his Sunday paper. Despite another dire prediction of still more snow, and all of the flakes that had been quietly blanketing the town all night, the place was hopping.

Rebecca, behind the counter, just couldn't help dancing a bit to the music that was playing as she rang up customers… It was a sort of R & B/Mowtown/Oldies mix. Later on there was mellow jazz, 80s pop, you name it. Must be part of Far Land's "something for everybody" policy.

 Raul and Oscar were in the deli, cranking out breakfast sandwiches and bagels, and that day's killer pancakes, and customers were greeting old friends and meeting new ones as a wide cross section of the town turned out for something good to eat, and a comfy place to meet. I met folks from Truro, Eastham and Australia, and dozens of Townies came in for breakfast and lunch while I was writing this, thanks to the free Wi-Fi at Far Land.

When Tom Boland and Jim Farley started this little market, about 15 years ago, they wanted it to become a comfortable gathering place for Townies and visitors alike, with the feeling of an old-fashioned general store. That's why they carry toothpaste, laundry soap, batteries and assorted sundries alongside fresh produce, impeccable meats, a selection of spirits, and made-from-scratch baked goods every day.

I opted for a single pancake, paid a little more for real maple
syrup, and added a bit of Turkey sausage to my breakfast.

As this neighborhood market has grown and evolved over the years, they've added a variety of products and services along the way. At Far Land you can pick up a flashlight for that upcoming hurricane, get great deli sandwiches and prepared foods to take out or eat in, or have your back yard barbecue, clambake or winter solstice party catered.

This winter they're serving a different dinner special every Monday through Thursday, to take out or eat in, from 4:30 to 7 PM.  Tomorrow night's specials are Salisbury Steak with mushroom gravy, or a vegetarian version with herb gravy. Both are served with sides of mashed potatoes and creamed corn.

Of course, you can also choose your own combination of dishes from the deli case of splendid prepared entrées, veggies, salads and side dishes, like grilled salmon, baked mac 'n cheese or a lighter choice like turkey meatloaf. The grilled veggies are among my favorites here, and I can't wait to try the maple chili roasted acorn squash, and the chicken, leek and parmesan pie. Don't forget to save room for dessert, too, with up to two dozen or more ever-changing pies, tarts, torts, cookies, brownies, puddings or cakes on any given day, always fresh and always from scratch. Today there were 26 choices, including two gluten free cakes.

Who says there's nowhere to eat in Provincetown in the winter? If you haven't yet tried a meal at Far Land (or one to take out,) try their new Townie Winter Dinner, and watch for daily soups, lunches, and even a breakfast special here and there, throughout the winter, when there's time to make all of this.