My good friend, who enjoys food as much as my wife and I do, lives in mid-city LA and recently invited my wife and me to get together over lunch. He suggested Oui Melrose, a sandwich shop run by the folks that own Banh Oui in Hollywood.
When cruising down Melrose, you may think Oui is a retail boutique. Other businesses with similar storefronts surround the white facade. While “Oui” is painted on the front of the building, you’d never guess it was a sandwich shop unless you already knew about it.
Oui Melrose’s modest size is likely due to the astronomical rent they shell out. Given the small footprint, I was surprised to learn everything is prepared in-house, including freshly baked bread. The owners initially experimented with khachapuri, a Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread, when they operated under the name of Tony Khachapuri.
The selections range from familiar American sandwiches such as tuna sub, ribeye cheesesteak, burgers, and salads. However, as you scan the menu, you quickly realize that Oui Melrose differs from an ordinary sandwich shop with khachapuri options and others made with laffa, a Middle Eastern flatbread.
When it arrived at our table, all eyeballs were on the Mushroom and Garlic Khachapuri ($16.50). The unique shape that looks like a gravy boat with a pizza-like aroma revs up your salivary glands. Of course, your eye zones in on the egg in the middle of the Georgian sandwich. Your immediate thought – how am I supposed to eat the proper way?
In my youth, I loved the McDonald’s fish sandwich. Seeing their Fried Cod Sandwich ($12.50), I had to see what an elevated experience could be. It is served on a sesame bun with two fried cod filets, thinly sliced pickles, and freshly made tartar sauce. The cod was crisp and soft inside. The pickles are made in-house, sweet and crunchy, and the tartar sauce is freshly made – I loved it! They also make a Nashville hot version of this fish sandwich.
Laffa is made in-house and serves as a tasty low-carb wrapper gaining popularity over pita. The Spiced Chicken Laffa ($16.50) is one of their most popular items. It is generously stuffed with hummus, tahini, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. The pickled cabbage gives the sandwich a crunchy texture and adds a tangy element.
Other interesting items include Truffle Cheesesteak and the Pastrami Three Cheese Khachapuri. Check out the Chicken Parm and Bolognese, Ribeye Cheesesteak sandwiches, or the Classic Tuna Sub if you want familiar flavors.
When you experience their food, you can tell everything is prepared using premium ingredients and made in-house, which adds to the freshness. Plus, with such a wide variety, it’s an ideal spot for a to-go team lunch when everyone wants something different.
Oui Melrose, 6909 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, 90038; ouimelrose.com
Makes want to go back = was delicious. Js
me too!!!