A Week of Sandwiches

Uptown Charlotte’s sandwich game isn’t very strong, despite thousands of workers who seek grab-n-go lunch options five days a week. Coco & the Director, opened as part of Center City Marriott’s impressive overhaul, is helping to change that. The café serves a special sandwich Monday through Friday, working off a loose schedule that gives sandwich designer Dominique Chavez creative license. Fridays are dubbed ‘Fried Chicken Fridays’ and Thursday is likely to involve brisket; any other day, you can expect everything from salmon with marinated cucumbers to pulled pork with barbecue sauce.

“The sandwich of the day was inspired by food trucks,” says Executive Chef Chris Coleman, who helps Chavez with her creations. “Most of them only do a few things and they hone in on what they do to do it well. They don’t have kitchens so when they run out, they run out.”

The same is true at Coco, so get in line early. Below is a mouthwatering sampling of some of Chavez’s game-changing sandwiches.
Photo by Cat Carter

MONDAY: BACON-WRAPPED MEATLOAF WITH GRILLED HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
Photo by Cat Carter
Laudibly, CoCo & the Director originally attempted to make Mondays meatless, but customer preference won out. Enter this thick slab of bacon-wrapped meatloaf, topped with a delightfully piquant provolone, caramelized onions, and grilled local tomatoes. (The kitchen still managed to sneak in some vegetables by studding the meatloaf with diced carrots.)