Anton's

Mystery #4 solved: EJ's wrap at Anton's, Albany, NY

Boy, I'm going to have to try harder with these mysteries. This is the first time that no one even had to think about it. I guess with something as good as the EJ wrap, I shouldn't have assumed it could stay a secret for long.

I’ve wandered into Anton's a few times for lunch and been neither impressed nor put off by their food. Just kind of, OK, whatever. I do like the sampler of spreads that comes with warm pita slices. I get the hummus, eggplant, and carp roe spreads. All are tasty with nice creamy textures, although I wish the roe spread had a little more roe in it. Still at $7.25 the sampler is a great deal. I can see this as my new save-face trick for one of those times when I get invited to a potluck and then forget about it until 10 minutes before I'm supposed to be there.

But, really, in terms of appreciating Anton's, I was going for the wrong meal. Breakfast it is.

They will tailor the EJ wrap ($5.25) to your order. You can choose the cheese you want and the fillings, going upstate-NY style with sausage and American or adding Greek items like gyro meat. I went for the full Greek treatment with feta, eggs, gyro meat, sautéed onions and peppers and pieces of fried potato. I wouldn’t change a thing.

The thinly sliced meat was juicy and full of flavor, and the feta sort of half melted into everything. So if you are one of those people who doesn’t like melted feta, steer clear. The fried wedges of potato kind of put everything over the top. The sandwich was huge and filling, but it was so good I couldn’t help myself. I finished the whole thing. I was so full I forgot to eat lunch until 3 pm. I then did a five-mile exercise walk. I’m not sure I can come up with a way to consider this a healthy sandwich, but all the health experts say that if you are going to pig out, you should do it at breakfast, so there we go.

I’ve told myself I can have one once a month. I’m counting the days.

Oh, I almost forgot....the winner. Drum roll, please.

Travis, the sandwich is yours! I will email you the details. Congrats, and enjoy.

(Thanks to AOA for helping select the winner.)

posted June 15, 2009 | link | comments (8)

filed under: Places, contests/taste-offs, Albany, Anton's, breakfast sandwich, EJ's wrap, greek

AllOverAlbany.com

Comments

Congratulations Travis. Now that I don't have the excuse of a free sandwich to justify the fat, calorie and cholesterol load, I will have to wait for some other special occasion.

Maybe it would make a good break-fast after I get my cholesterol retested.

- by Daniel B. on Jun 15, 2009 at 5:02 PM | link

Hey now - the 5 mile walk totally earned you another gyro!

I love it when feta gets half melty. So good and creamy-tangy.

- by Albany Jane on Jun 16, 2009 at 3:44 PM | link

EJ was a cool guy. Although he did not live to see the opening of Anton's, I'll bet he'd get a kick out of his little brush with local fame!

- by anon on Jun 16, 2009 at 8:45 PM | link

Sounds divine!

- by Thea on Jun 17, 2009 at 10:57 AM | link

Geez. I've got to stop reading your blog. After growing up and living in Albany for almost 50 we moved to our dream location- Saratoga. You make me miss Albany. Don't get me wrong, I love it up here. The biggest thing is the lack of diversity. You and Steve are the TU's best writers.

- by jazzngas on Jun 18, 2009 at 7:28 PM | link

Wow, thanks. Just come visit, we won't hold your Saratoga address against you :)

Where do you recommend I check out in Saratoga? I don't know it well.

- by celinabean on Jun 19, 2009 at 4:47 PM | link

If you've never been to the jazzfest (32nd yr. next weekend) you must. It's what made me want to live here. Please stop by the Christmas tent on Sat. and say hello. Where to eat- Beverly's for bkfst and now serving dinner. Small plates at the Wine Bar & Max London's. Value fine dinning at Maestro's. Chianti and Forno always reliable. Mrs. London's is one of best bakeries in the country (per Food and Wine magazine). The lawn at SPAC with a bottle of wine and snacks for the ballet and Phillies. The gardens at Yaddo. Walking tour of east side homes (Fifth, Caroline, Spring, Circular and No. Broadway). The hidden garden tour next month. Congress Park. Purdy's for wine shopping. The Local for a pub. Beekman Street art district. That's a start.

- by jazzngas on Jun 19, 2009 at 6:28 PM | link

Did you know that Anton's is owned by relatives of congregants? I was in there a few weeks ago and accosted by the young man behind the counter (OK, not really accosted) with "Hello, Rabbi!" Then back this week and had a lovely conversation, catching up on children and grandmother and so on. Personally, I go there for their taramasalata and warm pita. Makes me happy.

- by Reb Deb on Jul 10, 2009 at 2:26 PM | link

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