Simple, yet savory

Cami Mari’s chicken parm sandwich makes us smile

Randy Shemanski

One of the simplest lunchtime choices is a sandwich, and there’s certainly no shortage of choices for a good sandwich in downtown Scranton.

But many of us who work downtown (and some who don’t) know most of those tasty stops, which can make our midday routine a little repetitious. But there’s one stop downtown that I’ve driven past hundreds of times without hardly noticing, yet it has one of the best chicken parm sandwiches we’ve ever tasted.

Cami Mari, at 226 Linden St., is as much a lunch shop as it is a gift store (artwork, crafts, dishes and plates are just a few of the things you’ll find inside), but you’d be a fool to not stop by on a regular basis. With a handful of sandwich choices, as well as soups, salads and desserts, there’s enough to satisfy the hungriest lunch appetite or simply satisfy an afternoon craving.

The chicken parm sandwich looks so simple and we waited less than 10 minutes while it was prepared. With strips of seasoned chicken covered lightly with marinara sauce and mozzerella cheese, the sandwich was bursting around the edges with cheesy goodness after just one bite. Unlike many chicken parms I’ve had, this one wasn’t loaded with too much marinara sauce, which can overpower the chicken, which of course is the best part.

Lightly toasted on a fresh hoagie bun, this chicken parm is a mouthful. We suggest keeping a fork nearby to polish off any stray pieces of chicken that might squeeze out the side.

At just $5.75, the price is more than reasonable. Grab a bag of chips and any of the drink choices and you’re still well within your weekly lunchtime budget. Although I have a rather hearty appetite when lunch comes along, this sandwich is plenty big enough that you could slice it in half and save some for dinner, too.

So next time you’re looking for a sandwich for lunch, head to Linden Street on the lower side of town. Just be prepared to wait in line behind me.