Bottom Line: The Spicy Original from Schlotzsky’s is a big sandwich that will satisfy your appetite and need for heat and pairs perfectly with their jalapeno chips.
When it comes to the deli sandwich chains, I have one in particular as my go-to location and it is not one that you hear about on a regular basis. My preference has long been a Texas original known as Schlotzsky’s which got its start in Austin in the early ‘70s and has since expanded across the nation. And while you can’t go wrong with almost anything on the menu, my favorite is the Spicy Original (with a bag of jalapeno chips on the side).
What’s that you say? There’s no Spicy Original on the menu? Sure there is! You just have to know what to add to the Original sandwich.
Schlotzsky’s got its start selling only one sandwich, and that of course is known as the Original (for pretty obvious reasons). It includes shaved ham, Cotto salami, Genoa salami, sliced tomatos, shredded iceburg lettuce, red onions, black olives, shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, shredded parmesan, yellow mustard, and signature sauce all toasted on a sourdough bun. (Darn! Now I ‘m hungry after listing off all those ingredients. Have to go get another one.) To make it a Spicy Original is simple: just add sliced, pickled jalapenos and substitute in the jalapeno cheddar bun (no extra charge for either). This is a big sandwich, thus the justification for their current slogan “It’s a mouthful”!
The meats are freshly cut and taste like they come straight from a New York deli. (Okay, I’ve never been to a New York deli, but this is what I imagine they would be like.) The two types of salami have a savory meatiness and deliver just the right amount of salt while the milder ham acts as a nice counterbalance with a touch of smokiness for good measure. The three cheeses are nicely melted and add some creaminess along with some sharpness. The fresh vegetables often get lost in the mix with deli sandwiches, but not here. The red onion and tomato add a good freshness to the flavor and the shredded lettuce delivers a little be of extra crunch. The sandwich is heavy on the mustard, as it should be, which delivers that extra tang while the signature sauce balances that with a touch of sweetness and some creaminess. They are very generous with the black olives and those take a front seat in the flavor profile, which is where this sammy draws comparisons to a muffuletta (that’s what it was originally based on). And the crunch from toasting the sandwich is what brings this all together to perfection.
The jalapeno cheddar bread is basically the same as the original sourdough with some cheese and jalapenos thrown in. It adds some toasted cheddar to the taste as well as a bit of kick. And with the pickled jalapenos added to the mix, the sandwich truly moves into the spicy realm. Those work well with the boost from the mustard and bring this to a Medium heat level. And the burn lingers for a while, so you will know you ate something spicy.
And the perfect thing to pair the sandwich with is a bag of Schlotzsky’s Jalapeno Chips. When you take a bite of these you get an immediate sweetness (even though sugar or other sweeteners are not part of the ingredients) that is quickly balanced by the spices and a nice kick of heat. Some might consider these too sweet, but I like how that extra sweetness works together with the heat and spices. There is a hint of roasted jalapeno in there and a touch of Cajun spice as well. There is some saltiness there, but it does not overwhelm. These are thin chips so they don’t have the crunch I prefer from a kettle-cooked chip, but the taste makes up for that. Heat-wise, I would put these at Medium level at least, and it lingers for a bit. If you eat these together with the sandwich, they make for the perfect spicy meal that may not set you ablaze, but that will satisfy your appetite and need for heat.
Schlotzsky’s has several other sandwiches on the menu, and my second favorite is the Turkey Avocado. I substitute in the wheat bun and add jalapenos and that counts as healthy at only 380 calories for a small. They also have some pretty good soups and the pizzas are first-rate as well (my local Schlotzsky’s does buy-one-get-one-free on Wednesdays). And many of the locations are paired with Cinnabon (both are owned by Focus Brands), so you can pick up dessert (or breakfast) at the same time. So if you are looking for something from the deli that is spicy and quite tasty, find yourself a Schlotzsky’s nearby and order up that Spicy Original with the jalapeno chips.
Tale of the Tape:
Spicy Original Sandwich
Serving Size: Small
Calories: 620
Fat: 31g (16g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 33g
Carbs: 52g
Sodium: 1640mg
Jalapeno Chips
Ingredients: Potatoes , Vegetable Oil (Contains One of More of the Following: Corn, Sunflower, or Canola Oil), Dextrose, Salt, Maltodextrin, Jalapeno Pepper, Dehydrated Onion, & Garlic, Torula Yeast, Monosodium Glutamate, Imitation Colored Bits (Corn Meal, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake) Green Bell Pepper, Artificial Flavor, and Extractives of Paprika (Color)
Serving Size: 1 Package (42.5g)
Calories: 220
Fat: 14g (2g Sat/0 Trans)
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 24g
Sodium: 300mg