Thursday, January 15, 2009

I Cheated on my True Love

I know I publicly declared my love for Reuben, but actually, I was just seeing Reuben on the side. My true love is Nancy's chicken club sandwich. I see CC regularly, even though I know I shouldn't. CC is loaded with fat, salt and calories. Every time we see each other, I'm left feeling guilty, bloated, ashamed and anxious that the heartburn will keep me up at night. But I can't help it. I have to have CC, and when I have to have it, nothing else will do.

Let me lay it out for you--crispy crumbled bacon-stippled mozzarella lines crusty garlic bread, which is baked to a golden caramelization . Tender breaded chicken strips, baked not fried, are gently placed upon the cheesy bacony goodness. I always order my CC with no lettuce and tomato, with the garlic sauce on the side. See, I think putting salad on a hot sandwich, especially one that is to be sent via delivery, is just gross. Wilty shredded lettuce and icky hot tomato slices? Do not insult me with such nonsense. And the garlic sauce, which is really more of an aioli, is better on the side for dipping purposes. That way, the sandwich maintains it's gooey on the inside and crispy on the. outside integrity.

Every time I order the CC, I unwrap it, inhale the cheesy, bacony, garlicky aroma. The last bite is as good as the first, especially when I mix my Sriracha hot sauce into the aioli. The cheese, bacon and bread become one with the tender chicken and I become one with the sandwich.

It's less of a dining experience and more of a spiritual one. It's worth the potential heartburn (which I only really experience when I'm using CC to cure my hangover blues). It's worth the feeling of disappointment that I consumed more calories than I had in the three days prior. It's worth the knowledge that the reek of garlic surrounds me like a halo. Because the sandwich offers more than a tasty dinner. The sandwich fills me with a feeling of naughty shame and decadence. It's like buying $400 shoes. Or, well, what I imagine what it must feel like to buy $400 shoes. I imagine CC is to me what Jimmy Choos are to shoe-fiends.

I might have enjoyed my brief love affair with Reuben, but CC and I have a love that transcends time and space. CC is truly my sandwich. I might see other sandwiches on the side, but when I'm feeling down, feeling the need to nourish my soul and my belly, there is only one. My one true love. Nancy's chicken club sandwich.

9 comments:

Jenn said...

OMG~ that sounds delicious! Is it from Nancy's Pizza?

Jude said...

Grease and Bulk,no matter where you meet it,you love it! It is a neccesity of life...sometimes more than others.I'll put that one on my Food Bucket List!!!

Nora said...

It is and it is DIVINE!

Nora said...

Even though it has chicken on it? Honestly, mom, the chicken is just a part of the sum. It's so inundated with bacon/cheese/garlicky goodness, it wouldn't even put a blip on your chicken radar.

Jenn said...

There is a Nancy's right up the street! Sounds like the perfect "free day" food for me! Yummmmmmmo!

Nora said...

You might become addicted to it like I am. But hey, free days are free days!

Anonymous said...

I need a cigarette after reading that!

Nora said...

Good. That's exactly the response I hoped to elicit from my readers--even the non-smokers.

Troy Stith said...

I'd skip the walk to for this sandwich. I totally agree about the lettuce and tomato factor.