Given the restaurant industry’s tricky times, bravo to Chad Conley, of Rose Foods and Palace Diner renown, and his partner Josh Sobel to open up a hipster sandwich shop–Ramona’s–that makes hoagies and breakfast sandwiches accompanied by such tasty doodads as hash-browns, Calabrian chili spread, and what may be the fluffiest scrambled eggs anywhere.
The prevailing melt on the egg sandwiches is Cooper cheese, a derivative of processed American cheese, slightly sharper and tastier. Cheddar is the main component that gives Cooper its umph. To develop this sharp American-Cheddar cheese bite it’s aged for between 100 to 180 days.” And it’s a great melter, giving a grilled cheese sandwich incredible creaminess.
For now, ordering sandwiches from Ramona’s is by phone or online and pick up is through the street window or curbside. The online system works well.
Since moving to the East End last month, my place on The Hill is just blocks away, and as I was driving home over the weekend I noticed the big red-sign lettering on an attractive 3 story brick building on Washington that houses the eatery.
You can have the basic scrambled eggs and Cooper cheese on a roll for $6 with add ons like bacon, pork roll, broccoli rabe and potatoes. My first option was the Ramona Roll: eggs, Cooper, bacon,broccoli rabe and Calabrian chili spread roll for $9.
The scrambled eggs were beautifully prepared but the Calabrian chili spread is a tad hot and overpowers the sandwich if all you’re after is eggs and melted cheese. The roll is also very good. I don’t know if they make the roll but it’s big and bready.
Hoagies, classic Italian combo, roast pork with provolone and even a gussied up tuna salad are some other choices.
Ramona’s is basically a grab and go sort of place, and one of these days in the near or distant future you might be able to walk in, soak up the vibes and sit down at the few tables there once we all return to normal without the pandemic threat and the orange wack-job in the oval office.-
Why is it called Ramona’s? Conley’s mother in law’s name is Mona and and Ra makes it sound more Italian. Say what?