Which Way to the Which Wich?

One day this week, the co-workers and I headed out for lunch at a place we don’t too often frequent. It’s funny that when we do go there, someone always asks, “Why don’t we come here more often?” and we never have a good answer. I think that because it’s a little out of the way, we almost forget it’s there. But it does make my day when someone says, “Which way to the Which Wich?”

Which Wich is a “superior sandwich shop” that takes brown bagging to a whole other level.

(Photo taken from the Which Wich website. Let's hope this disclaimer keeps me out of copyright infringement jail.)

How it works: Let’s say you want a buffalo chicken sandwich (which is, by the way, which wich I had and it was yummy!). You check the menu and see that the chicken sandwiches are category 4. So, you go to the metal bin labeled 4 and pull out a pre-printed bag that lists all the chicken sandwiches (plain, buffalo, chicken parm, etc.), condiments, and available cheeses and other toppings. Beside each item is a circle, very much like the SAT’s bubble score sheet. Once you're over the high school flashbacks, grab a marker and fill in the bubbles next to your desired sandwich type and toppings. You write your name (or some other clever phrase) on the bag, hand it to the cashier and pay. You get excited when you realize your receipt has a coupon for a free cookie on your next visit. You fill up your cup and wait until they call your name. They hand you the bag and off you go. Ta da! You have a Which Wich!

Why it works: Which Wich works for several reasons. One, there are about 50 sandwich options so if you can’t find a Which Wich you like, you probably have a whole other set of issues. (If you’re not a lunch person, they have breakfast wiches too.) Two, you can see all of your options printed right there on your bag so you don’t miss a topping you didn’t realize they had. Because, let’s face it, fewer things are more annoying than getting to your table and realizing you could have had pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. Three, no one around you knows what you ordered. It’s like a sandwich privacy clause, and sometimes, if you have “special tastes”, you might need that. Not everyone likes announcing to the world what they’re eating (says the girl who spent all of the third grade (and one night last week) eating peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches).  Four, the prices are reasonable. And last but not least, the Which Wich is just across Lake Boone Trail from Rex Hospital so there’s usually some Dr. Cutie McWich eating there as well. And let’s face it, half the reason for going out to lunch is the scenery. J

So the next time someone asks you what’s for lunch, grab your purse ((and your receipt from last time- free cookie, remember?) and ask, “Which way to the Which Wich?”