What: The hot Bobbie
Where: Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, 36101 Bob Hope Drive, No. G2, Rancho Mirage
How much: $15.99 for a medium (10 inches, as shown)
Contact: 760-459-3111; capriottis.com
Why: It blends classic flavors perfectly.
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop offers a sandwich called The Bobbie, which includes turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayonnaise; the users of AOL.com at one point voted for The Bobbie as the Greatest Sandwich in America.
This honor indicates two things: 1) Capriotti’s and The Bobbie have been around for a while, because, well, AOL.com; and 2) the sandwich is probably good.
I can personally confirm these statements to be fact. That aforementioned AOL.com vote took place in 2009—but I knew The Bobbie was delicious well before that, as I first enjoyed the sandwich in either 2001 or 2002, when I lived in Las Vegas.
Capriotti’s is new to the Coachella Valley—the Rancho Mirage location opened in March—but the company is nearly a half-century old. After being founded in Delaware (where the founders named The Bobbie after an aunt of theirs) in 1976, the company is now based in Vegas; as of this writing, the Capriotti’s website lists 159 locations, scattered all over the country.
I’ve been a fan of Capriotti’s since my Vegas days, so I was happy to learn the company was finally expanding to the Coachella Valley. In addition to a variety of sandwiches, both hot and cold, the shops offer salads, French fries (which can be ordered with various meats and cheeses on top), soups and a handful of desserts. The vibe at the Rancho Mirage location screams “nondescript chain sandwich joint,” so you won’t be missing anything if you get your food delivered or to-go.
An endorsement within an endorsement goes to the Wagyu cheesesteak with peppers ($18.49 for a medium), my standard Capriotti’s order when I am not in the mood for Thanksgiving in a sandwich. But if you haven’t tried The Bobbie yet, do so; chances are you’ll be very happy you did.