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    Review: Sí Señor

    If you walked into a cafe named “Yes, Sir!” you might not know what to expect from their menu. Similarly, the Downtown lunch shop “Sí Señor” offers the same type obscurity when it comes to what you might find inside. Is it an authentic mexican eatery? It it an Americanized Tex-Mex diner? Happily, I discovered that it falls somewhere nicely in between.

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    Sí Señor is a lunch-only destination that serves the Downtown workforce. Their menu consists of around a dozen types of sandwiches, three salads and a few daily and weekly special entrees that rotate on a regular basis. Sandwiches are mostly based on American classics, but spiced up with a few distinct Latin twists. The Meatloaf Sandwich contains a mix of chorizo and is topped with a tomato jam, while the Turkey Breast sandwich includes spicy mayo and salsa criolla. It’s an interesting concept that is familiar and inviting, but also somewhat unique to the area.

    On my recent visit, I decided to try the Criollo Fish Sandwich ($6.25), which is a recent addition to the menu. A filet of breaded and fried tilapia is dressed up with pickled red onions, mixed wilted greens, jalapeño slices and a rocoto mayonaise. The ciabatta bread is nicely toasted, rendering it soft and buttery on the inside with a nice chewy exterior. The pickling of the onions gives them a milder flavor while the large jalapeño slices punch the spice levels back up. The rocoto mayo is made from a pepper popular in South America, but it seems to be used sparingly, as the mayo doesn’t hold a lot of heat on its own. The tilapia is given a thin crisp breading, which adds crunch, and the sweet and mild flavor of the fish pairs well with the heat of the jalapeños.

    The Peruvian Triple Decker ($5.25) is another new menu option designed for vegetarians. The tall stack includes egg salad, avocado slices and tomatoes on crust-free texas toast, finished with a lime mayonaise. The egg salad is a very basic mix of egg and mayo, with no trace of mustard, celery, pickles or other familiar American flavors. Combined with fresh avocado slices and a very soft bread choice, this sandwich was very creamy in texture all around. Tomato slices were fresh, and the lime mayo added just a slight hint of acidity. This sandwich was perhaps the most basic of what I’ve tried here for lunch, but still satisfying, especially for the lower price tag. The tall sandwich can be a little tricky to eat without making a mess, but worthwhile if you’re looking for something to remind you of a summer picnic now that the weather has turned cold.

    Last but not least, I tasted the Chicharrón Peruano ($6.00) which is not a new sandwich, but certainly a staple item at Sí Señor. This ciabatta bread sandwich is stuffed with fried and pulled pork shoulder, pickled red onions and a unique sweet potato mayonaise. The pork was seasoned nicely with latin flavors (hints of garlic, onion, cumin, peppers) and was mostly juicy and tender. My serving included several edge pieces of meat that had been overcooked and hardened. Despite that small inconsistency, this translated to a great version of a pulled pork sandwich. The unique sweet potato mayonaise had a flavor profile similar to a condiment version of potato salad, which was smooth, creamy and mild. There’s very little heat to this sandwich, so a side of hot sauce is required if you’re looking for spice.

    I found very little to complain about at Sí Señor during my visit. The store is small and clean and the service is fast and friendly. For an extra $1.50, you can add chips and a drink to any of these sandwiches, resulting in a lunch that won’t break the bank. If you’re in the mood for deli food with a twist, then you should be pleasantly surprised by what you’ll find within this small nondescript space.

    Sí Señor is located at 20 E. Long Street in Downtown Columbus. They’re open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from Noon to 4pm. More information can be found online at www.sisenorlatinfusion.com.

    Photos by Jennifer René of Jennifer René Photography.

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    Morgan Kelley
    Morgan Kelleyhttps://columbusunderground.com
    I'm the former Restaurant & Food Critic of Columbus Underground. I love all types of food, and I'm not afraid to try anything once. I strive to adhere to the Association of Food Journalists guidelines, which means I don't do special foodie events, I pay for all of my meals in full and I will always share with you my honest and unbiased opinion.
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