Big Town Hero

A man threatened an employee with a gun while robbing a sandwich shop, police say.

Big Town Hero owner Galen Eggert had not raised his prices since he bought the Southwest Sixth Avenue establishment in May of 2005, but rising food costs forced Eggert to hike prices for the first time this past January.



"We are looking at another price hike next January," he said.



Eggert is just one of several local business owners who have been forced to raise menu prices to combat increasing food costs.

Now you know why I hate JLowe. I'd asked him if he wanted to go to the Red Coach for his first day back to work, and he blew me off for his alleged "meeting." Then he finds out he's free for lunch, and do I get a call? Nooooooo!

I ended up getting a sandwich two blocks down the street from him. I wasn't planning on it, but a morning engagement ran a little long, and I was in the Congress Center building (or whatever they're calling it now) in the 1000 block of SW 5th Avenue, and when I got off of the elevator I saw BTH.

When I'm discussing getting a quick sandwich with Gastro Boy, or my wife, or whomever I discuss such things with, the conversation is usually limited to Subway and Quizno's. And, since I really can't remember the last time I ate at Quizno's, Subway usually wins. It's convenient, it's cheap, and it doesn't offend (at the same time, it never really impresses, either). I mean, sure, there are plenty of little sandwich places here and there where you can get a mean cold cut combo, but I'm usually just as interested in convenience as I am in product when a food craving comes on.

Big Town Hero ends up being, in my mind, the exception to the general fast-sandwich rule. It's like the Burgerville of franchise sandwiches; it's just as fast, just as convenient, just as cheap, but generally leaves you feeling a whole lot better.

...

TIGARD -- The Big Town Hero sandwich shop on Southwest Pacific Highway was robbed at gunpoint Saturday, Tigard Police said.

Two men entered the store around 4:30 p.m., flashed a handgun and demanded money, said Tigard Police spokesman Jim Wolf .

An employee of the shop initially refused to turn over any money until one of the robbers punched her in the face, Wolf said. She did not suffer serious injury, he said.

The two thieves left with an undisclosed amount of money. Police have no leads.

--Ryan Knutson;
ryanknutson@news.oregonian.com

So, my company has a Fun Committee and said committee had an Easter party today. As part of the celebration we had a Peep eating contest, and for my sins, I joined it. I thought that perhaps I might be a contender until I saw a Round 1 opponent cram 10 Peeps* into his neck, in a mere 30 seconds. In my round, I ate a paltry 8, while another fellow ate 10. The poor bastards had to go to round 2 and eat as many as peeps as possible in 10 seconds. I suppose they felt the need to outperform their prior exertions as the winner managed six more in his allotted time. I feel sick right now.

I'm pretty glad I didn't make it to round 2, as the first and second prizes was a gift certificate to Big Town Hero. (third prize is you're just a jackass.) I shouldn't be surprised at this either. When I entered the holiday treat contest with my really rather good almond butter balls, I took 3rd prize. For my efforts, I got a cake tin and some cake mix and frosting from the dollar store. I suppose that was the don't quit the day job message.


*The wikipedia entry describes the sport of Peep jousting. And check out a chef from the Culinary Institute of America showing you how to make home-made Peeps.

Today was my first day back to work downtown, after 8 weeks of Family Leave. I unexpectedly had time to grab lunch (I was convinced that I had a lunch-time meeting, which meant no lunch). I was headed to find a sandwich, after getting stamps at the post office, when I ran across the Spicy Pickle. It's located at 1220 SW 6th Avenue and it's delicious.

I've spent many years and many lunches consuming sandwiches. It's hard to impress me. Subway, Quizno's, Paradise Bakery, Rose's, Kornblatt's, Big Town Hero, etc. All fairly regular haunts...and all fairly the same (except Rose's...but that's a future article). My father owned a deli when I was a kid. He's my standard...and it's hard to beat one of his sandwiches (in my mind and stomach...he has a gift...back off). Usually, a sandwich is a sandwich is a sandwich.

But, I must say, this place has caught my attention. I had the Adobe Panini. Yes, $6.45 for a Panini...