When Ike’s Place bid adieu to Stanford in 2014, casualties included broken hearts of dedicated customers, and burning regret from students who had always meant to try a glorious sandwich.
But now, Ike’s Place has returned!
Rather than it’s previous location in the Huang Engineering Center, Ike’s can now be found in the McMurty Art Building, nestled between sculptured benches and colorful walls. But did this make-over affect the quality of its food? I, alongside a few friends, decided to investigate.
We waited in line for around 5 minutes before getting to the counter, where we ordered three sandwiches from the menu of six:
The experience was off to a great start when we found out we were being served by Ike of Ike’s Place himself!
Photo by Danielle Limcaoco
We also got a free bag of Zapps chips each, which we planned to scarf down if we still had space in our stomachs (the sandwiches looked very filling and very delicious).
Photo by Danielle Limcaoco
The first sandwich we tried was the “Meatless Mike”, which had vegan meatballs and marinara sauce.
Photo by Danielle Limcaoco
This sandwich is definitely one of the best vegan options available on campus. The flavorful sauce is light and slightly sweet, a good complement heavier and “meatier” meatballs. The crisp texture of the shredded lettuce contrasts the softer ingredients, adding dimension and depth. Although the bread is a little heavy, this $8 sandwich is a must-try for vegetarians and vegans on campus.
The second sandwich we tried was the “Menage a Trois” with halal chicken, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, and real honey.
Photo by Danielle Limcaoco
The sauce. The sauce! The shining star of this sandwich is definitely the magical mixture of BBQ, honey mustard, and honey – it was sweet and rich, and kept the chicken nice and moist. The vegetables add freshness, and the bread’s crust has a fun crunch, but the sandwich would truly be lackluster without the sauce. It can get a little messy to eat, but anything worth doing (or eating) requires effort, right?
The last sandwich we tried was the “Chase Ottney is ‘Hella Sexy’” with turkey, Ike’s dirty sauce, and provolone.
Photo by Danielle Limcaoco
The “dirty sauce” in this sandwich is appetizing since it’s slightly sweet and helps bring out of the turkey flavor, but unfortunately it slightly overpowers the provolone. The vegetables (lettuce and tomato) add a healthy and fresh layer to the sandwich, and the bread is simply stellar.
By the time we finished this sandwich, we agreed you really couldn’t go wrong in Ike’s Place.
Overall, our experience in Ike’s Place was extremely satisfying. We left with our bellies full, mouths smiling, and plans to come back next week. The sandwiches are enticing, cost less than $10, and only require a short wait – it’s definitely worth the trek or bike ride to the McMurty Building. (Also, the vibe of the place is very cool because you’ll be surrounded by awesome artworks and high ceilings while you eat your sandwich – a nice change of pace from the clustered and loud dining halls).
Photo by Danielle Limcaoco