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  • The Zephyr is the Sandwich of the Year from Sessions...

    The Zephyr is the Sandwich of the Year from Sessions and features mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, onions, and arugula. Sessions West Coast Deli has locations in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach. Check out the rest of the best.

  • The Caprese-inspired Summer Zephyr at Sessions captivated us. We dream...

    The Caprese-inspired Summer Zephyr at Sessions captivated us. We dream about our next bite. Turns out, so do Sessions fans. The Zephyr is the top seller at the flagship Newport Beach shop. Such devotion deserves an award. So, we have declared it our Sandwich of the Year. There are two locations: Huntington Beach (414 Pacific Coast Highway, 714-594-3899) and Newport Beach (2823 Newport Blvd., 949-220-9001). sessionswcd.com

  • Pulled pork sandwich, A Market. Pulled pork is one of...

    Pulled pork sandwich, A Market. Pulled pork is one of America's greatest guilty pleasure sandwiches, but there are many things that can go wrong with this sloppy favorite: dry or underseasoned pork, too much sauce, soggy bun. Happily, A Market gets everything just right. The slow-roasted pork is tender and subtly spiced; the barbecue sauce perfectly counterbalances sweet, tangy and vinegary; and the bun is a dark-baked brioche beauty. All you need to add is a layer of sliced sweet pickles, which come in a small container. Warning: It's not huge, but the pork is piled high. It's filling enough for most customers – the generous helping of meat makes it almost impossible to eat without a knife and fork. $9.50. A Market, 3400 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. 949-650-6515, amarketnb.comE

  • Soy turkey sandwich, Jan's Health Bar. Those of us who...

    Soy turkey sandwich, Jan's Health Bar. Those of us who grew up during the '70s feel a nostalgic pull toward a sandwich loaded with sprouts. Jan's Health Bar has been piling them high since 1972, and its soy turkey stack will feed your head faster than Jefferson Airplane. The slight sweetness of soft, whole wheat bread spread with vegan mayo and mustard contrasts with the salty crunch of soy “bacon” bits. Crisp cucumber slices, tomato and sprouts play sidemen to the creamy, ripe avocado star, which mutes the sawdust texture of the tofurkey. Pescetarians can order a lush tuna salad instead. $8.95. Jan's Health Bar, 501 Main St., Suite D, Huntington Beach, 714-536-4856; 250 E. 17th St., Suite D, Costa Mesa, 949-650-4856, janshealthbar.com

  • Chashu pork, The Trough Sandwich Kitchen. Take all the flavors...

    Chashu pork, The Trough Sandwich Kitchen. Take all the flavors of a bowl of Japanese tonkotsu ramen with chashu pork, strip away the noodles, then stuff everything that's left into a sandwich. It sounds kind of wacky, but it's one of the best sandwiches you will ever eat, I promise. The star is the slow-cooked fatty pork belly. The bun is slathered with Kewpie mayonnaise, a popular Japanese condiment known for its high levels of MSG, which further amplifies the taste of umami. Every other bite contains either a slice of pickled ginger or a semi-gelatinous lump of soft-boiled egg. 31431 Santa Margarita Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, 949-709-5545; and 705 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, 949-673-1029, thetroughoc.com

  • Keema pav, Adya. Apparently there's something in Indian cuisine called...

    Keema pav, Adya. Apparently there's something in Indian cuisine called a pav, and it's a lot like a sloppy Joe. In fact, it's exactly like a sloppy Joe, only better than any you've ever had. At Adya, the quick-serve Indian restaurant inside the Anaheim Packing House, the keema pav, made with ground lamb, is seasoned with a spicy, tomatoey, curry-like gravy and mounded onto a toasted brioche bun along with a few rings of pickled onion. It's a fairly small sandwich, but to be fair, it's probably the perfect size for a sensible diet. Anaheim Packing District, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., No. 201, Anaheim, 714-533-2392, adyaoc.com

  • Honorary mention: tuna melt, The Trough. This chef-driven sandwich shop...

    Honorary mention: tuna melt, The Trough. This chef-driven sandwich shop turns a humble American diner classic into an irresistible meal. It's all about the ingredients. The sandwich is served on grilled sourdough and made with pole-caught tuna, roasted almonds, dried cranberries, Swiss cheese and pickled celery. Simply delicious. Locations in Rancho Santa Margarita and Newport Beach.

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Paul HoginsFast Food Maven Nancy Luna.Eye on OC Anne Valdespino.Author

The sandwich revolution has landed in Orange County.

Sadly, five years ago, it was mostly Togo’s, Subway and Quiznos. But now we are bursting at the seams with exciting new players. On the chain side, you have Jersey Mike’s, Which Wich, Firehouse Subs, Earl of Sandwich and Jimmy John’s. Then, there are the chef-driven concepts – Mendocino Farms, The Kroft, Paninoteca Maggio, Sessions West Coast Deli, The Trough Sandwich Kitchen, C4 Deli and the soon-to-open Burnt Crumbs in Huntington Beach.

The crowded field makes sense. Roughly 95 percent of consumers eat a sandwich at least once a week, according to market research company Technomic. Some eat as many as three, citing quality and quantity as important factors.

So who makes the most crave-worthy sandwiches? We set out to name the best of the best and, surprisingly, our Food Team came to a near-unanimous decision. (This from the folks who couldn’t agree on burritos, remember?) 

Click on the slideshow to see our list of our favorites.

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