Every so often I crave a cheesesteak. Actually, it's more like "cheesesteaks" as I'll usually have a couple from different places to quell the craving. It had been a while, a couple of years actually, since I've had a decent cheesesteak and opportunity knocked twice in the last couple of weeks. So, of course I answered…..
Evan's Deli & Brew:
The Missus was wanting some cookies from the Cravory, so I headed on over to Point Loma. I had heard that the shop that replaced Gaglione Bros in the strip mall also made cheesesteaks. So, after getting some cookies for the Missus I walked on over.
And as in the sign on the shop; cheesesteaks are front and center on the menu.
And they even have Tastykakes.
The couple running the place were very friendly and it as a short wait for my Mushroom Steak; I got an 8" for $10.49 which is a bargain for a sandwich these days.
The yeasty, standard Amoroso roll stood up well. The meat was decently shaved, fairly tender, moist, and beefy, the mushrooms earthy, and the white American cheese added a complimentary, not overwhelming milky gooeyness to the sandwich.
This was a nice, standard cheesesteak. Something that's not easy to find in San Diego.
Nice owners, decently priced, I'm sure to visit again.
Evan’s Deli & Brew
3944 W Point Loma Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
Hours:
Sunday 10am – 7pm
Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm
The Wise Ox:
I'd heard that the Wise Ox, a butcher shop owned by the Trust Restaurant Group made a good cheesesteak. I had thoughts of checking out the place earlier, but the parking situation in the strip mall is terrible. But, since we were staying at the Lafayette, I was in walking distance to the North Park location.
I walked over and arrived just as the place was opening. I was greeted before I entered the shop by the nice gentleman getting the smoker going. The shop offers a nice variety of soy sauces and such, along with sausages and other meat products.
I went and ordered the Cheesesteak ($12.99). The friendly guy behind the counter took my number and told me he'd text me when my sandwich was ready. I started going for a stroll; but my sandwich was ready in like 5 minutes!
The meat, I was told it was New York Strip, was thinly shaved and very beefy-tender. It wasn't as moist as the stuff from Evan's, but I could tell based on the texture and beefiness that it was of higher quality.
The Amoroso roll really stood up well in this sandwich; though as you can see, there was less beef than other versions of cheesesteak I've had before. Thus making it more "bready".
I enjoyed the onions in the sandwich.
I didn't care for the pickled peppers which, in my mind detracted from the overall flavor of the sandwich, especially, at least to me, muted the cheese and beefiness. I'd probably ask not to have that next time. Still, if you go for the quality of beef, this might be the cheesesteak for you.
The Wise Ox Butcher & Deli
2855 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
Hours:
Sun – Mon 10am – 5pm
Tues – Sat 10am – 6pm
It was nice to get some decent cheesesteaks since so many places where I'd enjoyed the sandwich before like Monkey Paw, Pop's, and others have closed.
I didn't care for the fries which quickly got limp and were over salted. 
Well, this is about the same as Phuong Nga. The bread is very crusty which I like, though a bit more chewy than I prefer. These days, many banh mi shops don't even include cucumber in their sandwiches; but it's present here. The jalapeno was pretty mellow on this sandwich. Of course, one of my pet peeves; the cilantro was mostly stems….I already floss daily; I don't need to have my sandwich doing it as well. The proteins are sliced on the thicker side and there are less pickled veggies than before. What I really liked about this sandwich was the amount of pate. Upon biting, the pate basically oozed out…a funky, earthy, creamy, savory "puss" of the most delicious sort.
It did seem like my sandwich was sticking "its tongue out at me"……perhaps mocking me? To use a single word to describe this would be "light". From the slightly crusty, yeasty-airy bolillo to the filling. Other than a good amount of heat from the jalapenos this was quite light. In my mind, it could have used a bit more salt (when was the last time I wrote that?), tomatoes, and onions. Still, it was a decent breakfast and the price was right.
This came on a by-the-book, yeasty telera roll. The chorizo was nice and smoky, with a hint of spice. The jamon was a rather thin slice and was made irrelevant by the chorizo. The gooey cheese was the glue (no pun intended) that added a slight milky flavor to things. There was a bit of jalapeno for some zip, but I could have used more beans on this. I think I'll have the papas con chorizo version of this next time.
Big Jim's Roast Beef & Subs opened as a Food Truck/pop-up about March 2021 and has steadily built a following of its New England Style slow roasted style Top Round sandwiches, ultimately opening this storefront in September. They still Pop-Up at the Wednesday Ocean Beach Farmers Market and the Thursday Oceanside Sunset Market.
A simple menu. When you order, toppings are described and you can decline or ask for an ingredient 'on the side'.
Junior Beef Sandwich ($9). This sandwich is very large; the in house roasted top round, sliced thin and served medium rare, the beef chilled. This has wonderful flavor and texture. It is served on a butter grilled burger bun with a horseradish mayonnaise and American cheese. We asked for the BBQ sauce on the side. 
French Dip ($16). Apologies for the photo. The aroma of the roasted beef was amazing. Again, thin sliced beef, cooked more medium, served warmed with Provolone cheese. Great sandwich, easily shared.
The Italian bread roll, sesame-seeded, was fresh, flavorful and sourced locally from a bakery in Little Italy. The jus had bits of meat in it and was not salty. Quite perfect. 
The BBQ Sauce had a nice 'tang' and the grilled onions were sweet. Each was added as a condiment at the end bites of the sandwiches. 
Seating out front.
It turns out that this establishment is a recipe testing, preparation and catering kitchen to the family of New Zealand inspired restaurants in San Diego: Bareback Grill, Queenstown Public House, Dunedin North Park, Raglan Public House and Queenstown Bistro…none of which Kirk or I have visited (yet)
Walk in and there's the menu on the wall in front of you. Turn to the left, meet Mack, order, pay and find a seat. 
I noticed this "Mackstar" beverage ($2) described on the wall and decided to try it-an excellent blend of English Black tea and fresh (sweetened) lemonade. The liquids are different densities so when delivered to the table, we were able to try the excellent black tea separately from the lemonade; each is good on its own and when stirred, the combination is very nice-could still taste the tea.
The "Soup and Sammie" ($13) was my choice. Tomato basil soup with pine nuts and herbs, topped with sour cream-thick with chunks of tomato,so fresh, delightful. The bowl is low and deceptive. There is plenty. 
Two types of cheese on toasted sourdough with mayonnaise, avocado, lettuce and tomato. Excellent.
The Cobb Chop salad ($12.50) was really good; fresh (flavorful; I've been buying some bitter lettuces lately) Romaine topped with warm grilled herby chicken breast, chopped bacon, avocado, tomato, hard boiled egg and Blue cheese chunks.
The salad was served with fresh made Caesar dressing (delightful, non-burning garlic) or we could have tried the Pepper Ranch (next time). 
Ichiban Sando is on H Street just east of Broadway (across from the mall). 
There are menu boards above and menu choices taped below the ordering window as well as a convenient pocket size menu. 
The Shrimp Katsu Sando ($11.50) is served on a choice of toasted homemade milk bread or brioche bun and with cubes of pickled radish. Crispy breaded shrimp on the toasted bread- an excellent, large and filling sandwich. 
The Pork Belly Bowl ($10.50) was another choice this day. Steamed rice, pickled red cabbage and kimchee along with plenty of soft, tender pork belly topped with a Kewpie based sauce (slightly spicy; maybe sriracha, which tastes sweet and hot). Mixing the pickled vegetables with rice with bits of the fatty pork was quite a nice bite of textures and flavors.
The Fruit Sando ($8 on the wall under the cash register but $8.50 on the paper menu) was wonderful- the soft, fresh home made milk bread, fresh and thick whipped cream and fragrantly ripe strawberries and kiwi made a perfect dessert snack.
This was a decent sandwich. I’ve always liked the thin shaved turkey and even though the bacon is in “bits” there’s a good amount of it in the sandwich.
My order was ready when I arrived….I just sauntered in, gave my name, and headed back to the car and office.