After numerous suggestions from the regulars that I check out Blue Ox Sandwich Factory over near Burnsville Center mall, I finally had the chance to do so today after getting fitted for a tux for a September wedding in Ohio. Both Josh and I are in the wedding so we walked in at around 2 PM today for a late lunch.

The space is clean, the menu is varied and I really thought the service was phenomenal for a sandwich shop. I must admit that I came in with very high expectations due to all the hype that’s been run up in various threads and e-mails generated by this site and before eating the food, I must admit that I was already impressed.

The menu was posted on a chalk board and wasn’t your typical mom and pop sub shop offerings. Kim and I just got back from vacation and I was starving so I wasn’t much into wasting time and ordered the first things that caught my eye. I was ordering for Kim too so after a quick glance I ordered the #6 and #7 for us and Josh nabbed a #6 as well. The #6 or “The Chicken Ranch” is listed on their menu as “aka The Chicken, Bacon, Ranch – Sliced Fresh Chicken Breast, Hormel Bacon Bits, Provolone Cheese, Ranch Dressing, Lettuce, Tomato, and Red Onions” The #7 is listed as “Paul’s Favorite – The Meatloaf Classic – Homemade Meatloaf on a Deli Roll with Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, and Sweet Peppadew Peppers for $4.79″.

Josh, as usual, went sans veggies but I asked that Kim and I both received the sandwich as intended on the menu. Josh and I ordered ours on wheat and I got a sandwich roll for Kim. I didn’t bother with any side salads or soups but they were also mentioned to me as I ordered. I will check them out more closely, on a future visit, when I am not in such a rush.

The total bill was just over $14 and definitely inexpensive for three sandwiches but remember we ordered nothing else (no drinks, no sides, no nothing). As I have said before, mainly with La Luz Cafe, I think that the sides should come as a default option with the sandwiches so that you don’t have to think about ordering them but they do offer several “baskets” which include various sides for a few dollars more each.

I ordered the sandwiches to go but found that there were plenty of people eating even as late as we were there. There weren’t many booths available but a few regular tables and only one couple eating out on the back patio. Definitely looks like a very popular place for lunch.

Once I got home I took some quick photos of Kim’s #6 and my #7 and left Josh’s plain old sandwich to him. He was already eating his by the time I unwrapped the sandwiches and the first thing out of his mouth was, “the bread is really fresh.” He enjoyed his boring old sandwich and said that while he’d normally save half for later, he ate it all outright this time. I was surprised at how small the sandwiches appeared but they definitely looked good.

I took a bite and agreed with Josh that the bread was great. The sandwich itself was nice and decent for meatloaf which I can only compare to my mother’s recipe. I am a big fan of her (and my) meatloaf but this was definitely a good meal. I was unimpressed with the size of the sandwich and being that I hadn’t eaten since 8 AM EDT at the Memphis airport, I was really hoping for something more filling. The Peppadew peppers were nice but not my favorite sweet peppers but they definitely made the sandwich for me. I would certainly order it again in the future but I am looking forward to try something else next time we stop in. I didn’t care for Kim’s sandwich at all but Kim said that it was good, “a sandwich,” and when I asked if she would get it again she replied, “maybe, probably.”

For the service, price and different menu alone, I recommend Blue Ox Sandwich Factory but as with any sandwich place, there can always be improvements made and in this case it would be with the sandwich size and the offering of side salads with the dish instead of an add-on. Overall, good stuff here at the Blue Ox!

Address:
Blue Ox Sandwich Factory
14270 Buck Hill Rd
Burnsville, MN 55306

Phone:
952-898-2583

Hours:
Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM
Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM

See all the pictures from Blue Ox in Burnsville on Flickr here.

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