Compagno’s
2000 Prescott Ave., Monterey
375-5987, www.compagnos.com
Whether owner-operator Bennet Compagno’s true passion is for the U.S. military or for the war-machine-sized sandwiches his deli builds for hungry troops and regular folks alike is unclear. When we called him to ask what was so special about his sandwiches that he’s practically a shoe-in for this award, Compagno, who even during the in-between lunch and dinner hours was so busy selling sandos he barely had time to talk, was blunt: “Cause they are more than generous.” Best-seller sandwiches like the #27 (breaded chicken with bacon, avocado and pepper jack) and the Navy special (spicy coppa piacentina, salami and provolone cheese) are just two members of a battalion of deli-case-clear reasons why the monster sandwiches are winning the war. Compagno’s personal favorite? Slap some of their house-cooked, medium-rare roast beef on a roll with lots of horseradish and all the fixins. Lots of meat, lots of love, lots of mmmm.