Supernatural Sandwiches

I recall trying Supernatural Sandwiches two or three years ago, when it was a stall at the since-closed San Diego Public Market. I liked it. (I liked the market, too.) From there Supernatural moved to the Hillcrest Farmers’ Market, eventually gathering enough resources to open a storefront in Miramar last spring.

I’ve been in Miramar a lot lately, reporting on the stream of new breweries popping up in the area. With a few minutes to spare before a meeting I had around lunch time, I stopped by Supernatural. When I saw the line went out the door, I knew what the Miramar working crowd thinks about having this seafood-sandwich specialist in the neighborhood.

Things had calmed down a bit when I returned an hour later, so I felt all right standing at the counter, asking a lot of questions. Bottom line: it’s all very good, and they practice basic farm to table principles, only here they call it “sea to sandwich.”

Of course my real concern was more like: blackened yellowtail sandwich? Maybe swap in halibut? Or should I go all rebel and be the food critic who orders the Korean BBQ steak melt in the fish-sandwich shop?

Then I saw four words more alluring than a sirens’ song: spicy lobster grilled cheese. With the option to add avocado and bacon. The bacon didn’t sound necessary, but I’ve got no compunction about California-izing shellfish. Avocado makes everything better.

Honestly, on this sandwich the avocado barely deserves a mention. This thing was every bit as satisfying as I could have hoped. The spicy house-made aioli added some welcome kick, without obscuring the fresh and garlic buttery flavor of the thick chunks of lobster anchoring the sandwich. The bread was perfectly grilled, with the cheese present and melty but not in the way.

I liked that sandwich I got from the Supernatural Sandwiches farmers’ market stall. But now that the business has moved into a proper kitchen and partnered with former Craft & Commerce executive chef Craig Jimenez, it’s really raised the game of seafood served on bread (or salad). And the spicy lobster grilled cheese might be as good a reason to visit Miramar as the beer.