Twenty-One Sandwiches
In 2025, I assigned myself a mission: to get out of the house, explore more of Los Angeles’ local businesses, be more social, and meet new people in a low-pressure way (for all parties involved) and affordable (again, for all parties).
I moved to Los Angeles in 2022 to begin my dream career as a television and film writer. This business is built on relationships, networking, and connections, and being the new girl in town can make it seem intimidating, especially when you consider that I’m a bit more shy than people realize (surprise!). But, I don’t want to just collect email addresses and phone numbers and IG follows. I wanted to do it my way, by having authentic conversations with people and to get to know them without the expectation or assumption that they could do something for me. Strictly transactional relationships have never been my thing. If it led to something really cool, career-wise, totally gravy, of course, but the goal was to build an actual connection.
I was inspired by TikTok creator Katie Skare and her mission to push herself to meet new people in a low-pressure setting by inviting New Yorkers to join her for sandwich dates around the city. She met interesting people, built her confidence, and even found love! While finding love wasn’t my ultimate goal (and to be fair, it wasn’t Katie’s goal either), I did have a goal of pushing myself out of my pandemic-induced introversion and actually reach out to introduce myself to people I admired.
The Challenge: Ask fun people that I know and cool people that I’ve met to have lunch with me, with a goal of a sandwich date a month. Why sandwiches? Simple answer: They are my favorite foods. Longer answer, sandwiches are low-pressure and low-cost. The whole journey would be posted on my Instagram.
The Sandwich Friends
In 12 months, I went on 21 sandwich dates with 22 incredible people across the city. Y’all - this was SO much fun. Every sandwich date felt like its own adventure! Most worked in entertainment; some were at the peak of their careers, while others were just crossing the starting line. There were old friends and total strangers.
The people were as varied as the sandwiches.
There were TV directors, writers, actors, historic Emmy winners, and comedians; a producer who owned a pop-up skating rink, a scientist, an animator, an academic, a development exec, a woman who conquered 131 miles of the Tour du Mont Blanc, and multiple multi-hyphenates.
It started slowly, gathering momentum once I treated my nervousness like 'Friendship Exposure Therapy.' It was the 5-year-old on the playground method: walk up to someone, tell them you like the cut of their jib, and ask if they want to grab a sandwich.
Once I explained the mission, the yeses were enthusiastic. Everyone was eager to showcase their favorite spots or recommend the next guest. They shared their LA stories—the dreams and projects that brought them here—and were just as curious about mine. They offered advice, affirmations, introductions, and even the occasional script note.
It’s intimidating to ask someone to share a meal with you, especially if they may be well-known. But across the table, I got to know really great people who, like me, are taking chances, creating what they wish existed, and honoring their unique and wonderful voice. We’re all just figuring it out together, right?
I asked about their origin stories. What brought them to LA? Which film or song awakened the creator within? What is their dream project to work on? In screenwriting terms, I wanted to know the inciting incident that changed everything.
There’s a specific light that appears in someone’s eyes when you ask about what drives their aspirations. I’ve realized it’s more important to understand what keeps them going than to look at the laurels they’ve picked up along the way. My therapist once told me: 'Don’t get jealous, get inspired.' The lesson is not in the end result, it’s on the bumpy, Jeremy Bearimy journey.
You learn so much more about a person through how they’ve persevered—and I found my dates were actually excited to be asked. In return, they asked me about my own story, which created an opportunity to celebrate each other.
From my dates, I learned about the practical and emotional process of directing television, taking chances to produce and direct your own work, how to persevere post-strike, the challenges and joys of working in animation, the role of science in governance, and sustaining a career as an actor. It was after one of these lunches that I decided to direct my own work after receiving amazing encouragement and advice!
Of course, learning about someone’s process doesn’t guarantee that you’ll achieve the same things, but it does help you remember that what you are building, what you are reaching for, is just as important, because it’s yours.
The Sandwiches
In my invitation, I asked my dates to recommend their favorite place to grab a sandwich, no matter where it was in the city - part of this quest was to learn more about Los Angeles itself. I also had a general list to draw from. I never had to consult the list because everyone was so excited to introduce me to their neighborhoods. I had a lot of capocollo, a ton of mortadella, my first chopped cheese, and a fried oyster po’boy in the middle of Chinatown. An early frontrunner was Yerord Mas in Glendale, and is my top recommendation of 2025!
Yerord Mas (Glendale) with Ana-Lisa Siemson. Baturma Brisket Pita - Smoked basturma-spiced brisket on homemade charred pita with chaman spread and Swiss cheese.
Uptown Provisions (Whittier) with Monica De La Torre. The Spicy Gabagool - Sopressata, Capocollo, burrata, spicy Calabrian chile spread, hot honey, mixed greens.
Cafe Dulce (Little Tokyo) with Keiko Agena. The Korean Cheesesteak - Kimchi, bulgogi, melted cheese.
Galco’s Soda Pop Stop (Highland Park) with Lennon Parham. Italian Combo Blockbuster - salami, mortadella, salami cotta, ham, provolone. As a bonus, check out their insane soda shop with every kind of soda you can think of. Southern Friends - they have Cheerwine and Sun Drop!
Mario’s Italian Deli (Glendale) with Emily Walker. The Spicy Bad Boy - Hot pastrami, honey mustard, avocado, spicy Italian peppers.
Zhengyalov Hatz (Glendale) with Bridget Stokes. The Chicken Shwarama
Joan’s on Third (Studio City) with Janie Haddad Tompkins. The Shortrib Melt.
Jersey Mikes (Silverlake; nationwide) with Rachel Lewis. The Roast Beef, Mike’s Way, Add Mayo, no onion. The only chain, and most recommended on the list!
Larchmont Wine & Cheese (Larchmont) with Maame-Ya Aforo. The Tuna
Pino’s Sandwiches (Los Feliz) with Shane Munson. The Tuscan - Tuscan Salami, Fontina Cheese, Pesto.
Little Jewel of New Orleans (Chinatown) with Shannon Joy Rodgers. The Fried Oyster Po’Boy
Sorrento Italian Market (Culver City) with Ann Potenza. The Combination - Cotto Salami, Mortadella, Capocollo, and Provolone
Ggiata (Studio City) with Sarah Aldrich. The Chicken Parm - Chicken cutlet, pomodoro sauce, fresh mozzarella, grated romano, basil pesto on a charred seed bun
Art’s Deli (Studio City) with Amanda Barnes. The Monte Cristo - Battered and fried Turkey, Ham, and Swiss cheese on sourdough.
Broad Street Oyster Company (DTLA) with Tamara McNealy. The Warm Lobster Roll - Maine Lobster, butter, and chives.
Eastside Deli (Victor Heights) with Andy Rider and Evan Harris. Prosciutto Cold Sandwich - Italian imported prosciutto with olive oil, balsamic glaze, tomato, & fresh mozzarella, oregano, salt, black pepper.
Wax Paper (Frogtown) with Andleeb Dombroski. The Audie Cornish - Black Forest ham, house honey butter, cheddar, and cornichon vinaigrette.
All About the Bread (Fairfax) with Kelly Park. The Meatball - Marinara, meatballs, provolone cheese.
Mr Pickles (Van Nuys) with Laura Manasewich. The French Dip - roast beef, horseradish mayo, melted provolone with au jus.
Brooklyn Square (Pasadena) with Myra Whittington. Today’s Special - roast beef, cajun turkey, jalapenos, American cheese, and honey mustard dressing.
Bodega Park (Sunset) with Laura Allen. The Chopped Cheese - certified angus beef, american cheese, grilled onion and jalapeño, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mayo, pressed sesame hero roll
The Next Steps
This project was a huge success, way bigger than I expected. I’m taking the party into 2026 - more sandwiches, more new friends, more putting myself out there. I’m going to add a little twist, though. I’m going to ask my sandwich dates to introduce me to someone else that I should have sandwiches with! We’re off to a great start, as of this moment, I’ve already had two dates, and more scheduled throughout February! Thank you so much to those who joined me, gave me recommendations, and made this experience magical.
Want to have your own Sandwich Adventure? Check out this handy Map!
