50 Favorite Sandwiches, Soups & Salads 2012-2013
Each year we award the "50 Favorites," best restaurant dishes found by B-Metro magazine and BirminghamRestaurants.com's food editor, Jan Walsh. Categories include 50 Favorite Appetizers & Cocktails; Sandwiches, Soups & Salads; Entrees; Desserts; and All Time Favorites, which are tried and true, memorable dishes that are repeat favorites for many years. Here are the 50 Favorites Sandwiches, Soups and Salads winners for this year:
Cantina: Taco De Pollos—chicken tacos are two, soft, warm tortillas filled with slices of Tequila marinated and grilled chicken breast, cilantro mayo, salsa Verde and Pico De Gallo. With the first bite, the quality and freshness of product shines in this masterful recipe. And we order another round of tacos.
Dodiyo’s: When you feel like a good bowl of soup. Head to Dodiyo's, and order the Chicken and Orzo Soup, “Soupa Avgolemono," the restaurant's signature soup. It is a flavor filled bowlful of comfort. This creamy soup gets its balance from lemon and egg, chicken and orzo.
Dyron’s Lowcountry: When it comes to seafood gumbo, I want dark rue, perfect piquancy and very little rice. And I have found none better anywhere than the gumbo at Dyron’s Lowcounty. The Seafood Gumbo is a cult dish here at Dyron’s, which the
“regulars” can’t get enough of—no matter the season. Watch chef Randall Baldwin prepare this gorgeous gumbo.
Jackson's Bar and Bistro: Spring-Rolled Quesadillas are flash-fried tortillas that are filled with tender, marinated chicken, black beans and Monterey Jack and served with a spicy peanut sauce. Just love these rolls!
Mix Bakery: Mix offers a Power Salad that is popular with fitness foodies.
Chef Chris Dupont developed the delicious and healthy, chilled dish. A mound of flaky smoked salmon rests on organic greens and is surrounded by a soft poached egg, two avocado halves, heirloom tomatoes, tart marinated cucumbers, juicy strawberries, and French lentils mixed with celery, onions and carrots.
On Tap Sports Café: On Tap serves a serious $20 Angus Burger. This whopping burger stacks two half-pound patties of Angus beef. Hot melted Swiss and American cheeses and an unexpected crisp hash brown patty lies in between. And it does not stop there. Inside there are also several crisp strips of bacon, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato and On Tap’s queso. The burger is presented with a steak knife stuck in the top of the bun, with dill pickles and peppers surrounding the knife. And a hearty portion of crisp, hot French Fries surrounds the burger. 
Otey’s Tavern: Turkey, Bacon, Swiss and Slaw Wrap has it all. The protein of the turkey and bacon is balanced by the creaminess of the Swiss cheese and the acidity of the crunchy slaw. This dish also travels well for easy takeout.
Sol's Sandwich Shop and Deli: The Cuban is a pork lovers delight. This delicious sandwich is made of roasted pork, honey ham, Swiss cheese, tasty pickles and spicy mustard.
Tavern on the Summit: The piping hot, brown crock of French Onion Soup arrives atop an under-plate and covered in a blanket of 
melted cheese. The blanket wraps over and cleaves itself to the sides of the bowl. Piercing the blanket with the soupspoon, steam and rich aromas rise from the bowl, and strings of cheese collapses onto the dark and intense stock, which is loaded with caramelized onions, rounds of bread croutons, and luscious layers of their rich flavors. 
The Bright Star: Greek Salad served with a bowl of dressing at the table for each of us to dress the salad to our own personal tastes. The vibrant and tangy Greek dressing enhances fresh, crisp greens, purple onion, tomatoes, Salonika peppers, black olives, anchovy and feta.
The Egg and I: Deluxe Egg Sandwich boasts two fried eggs, sliced ham, bacon, tomato, mayo and Havarti dill cheese stacked high on grilled sourdough bread, with a side of ranch potatoes.
Village Tavern: Made from scratch New England Clam Chowder is a hearty bowlful of creamy goodness chock full of clams, potatoes and more. My Yankee hubby always orders it.
Made from scratch New England Clam Chowder is a hearty bowlful of creamy goodness chock full of clams, potatoes and more. My Yankee hubby always orders it.
Vino: The Lobster Bisque at Vino is as wonderful a bisque as I have ever tasted. This creamy goodness is filled with bites of lobster and is topped with a bite of crab and a touch of olive oil, highly recommended!