My Jensen's Sandwich Obsession
75Besides my obsession with the Subway sandwich, I also have an obsession with Jensen subs. I have never heard of Jensen sandwiches? Where this chains located? Well, unless you live in the communities of Lake Arrowhead, Palm Springs, Wrightwood, Running Springs, Cedar Glen, or La Quinta, you will not find a Jensen's Deli nearby. The Jensen's is a small grocery store chain that is still family owned, which is a bonus because you will receive a very personalized experience whenever you shop there. There are many gourmet foods, quality meats, and a wonderful bakery, but the prices are a bit higher than the standard grocery store. When I was growing up we used to shop primarily at the local Stater Brother's, but we would go to Jensen's to find certain speciality items such as extra virgin olive oil, or to enjoy deli sandwiches or a nice bakery treat every once and awhile. I have not had a Jensen sandwich in over two years, but I will always remember these fondly as one of my favorites.
|
Tupperware RECTANGLE SANDWICH Hoagie Sub KEEPER NEW Red
Current Bid: $5.99
|
|
TUPPERWARE RECTANGULAR SUB SANDWICH KEEPER AQUA NEW
Current Bid: $16.36
|
|
Tupperware Rare 6 In Sub Sandwich Keeper AQUA BLUE New
Current Bid: $6.40
|
|
HERO BANNER - Sub Hoagie Sandwich Concession Flag Sign
Current Bid: $9.99
|
|
Tupperware Rare 6 In Sub Sandwich Keepers in Yellow
Current Bid: $6.40
|
|
Tupperware Rare 6 In Sub Sandwich Keepers in RED
Current Bid: $6.40
|
My Jensen Sandwich Ritual
Once or month my mom would take us to the local library to check out books and participate in the reading programs for kids. These are great programs where children can get educational prizes that will encourage them to read and come to the library. Some libraries even give away hamburger and ice cream coupons a few times a year for kids that complete a reading log, so reading programs are always a good thing for encouraging literacy.
After going to the library we often stopped at Jensen's to buy two foot long sandwiches. My mom and one of my sister's liked the cheese sandwich, but my other sister and I preferred the turkey sandwich. As I got older I liked to get my own sandwich because my preference is whole wheat, turkey, no cheese, lots lots of veggies, oil, and vinegar. I am not sure exactly how Jensen's concocts their special oil and vinegar dressing, but this makes the sandwich very tasty and will always stand out in my mind.
We used to get a large bag of chips and we would enjoy these with our sandwiches. It is amusing to consider the things that stand out in my mind all these years later, such as reading Mutiny on the Bounty more than three times and eating Jensen's sandwiches.
As I said there were many other treats I liked at Jensen's, such as their made from scratch apple fritters, but their turkey sandwiches will always be my favorite. I remember one time when a new teenager was making our sandwiches and poured on enough oil and vinegar for about twenty subs. I did not notice until I took both sandwich to the register, but by that time I could feel the oil and vinegar seeping through the paper wrapper. It may not have be a favorite with many, but I actually like soggy sandwiches. However, I know my mom and sister cannot stand soggy sandwiches. Oh well, it is a funny story to remember all these years later, but it seems as if it just happened yesterday.
I saw many evolutions take place at our small town grocery store, from the remodeling of the bakery to the addition of a Starbucks. By the way, it was a very big thing when Starbucks came to the mountains and everyone talked about it for days. I still some how prefer the way Jensen's was when I was younger, but the new and improved Jensen's is also good too. So if you are ever in the Palm Springs or Lake Arrowhead area, I suggest checking out the great deli sandwiches made to order at Jensen's
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Thanks countrywomen. I feel tired today and had not written in awhile, so I decided to do something short and nostalgic. Your warm comments always make me happy.
Here is something to cheer you up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao-9B8IV9_E
I am sure it is going to be a very Happy New Year in 2009 for all of us :-)
Thanks countrywomen :). I love the video and wish you a very happy new year.
Thanks a lot sweetiepie.
Hi SweetiePie, as far as I know we do not have any Jenson stores in Australia.
We have Subway for sure, we have two Subway Stores in the suburb that we live in.
It is 8pm new years eve and we are just about to celebrate the New Year so I would like to wish you and your family a Happy New Year!
Hi Agvulpes,
Jensen's is only in a few Southern California locations, so even most people in the US have not heard of them. Their prices are higher when it comes to regular grocery shopping, but they offer many gourmet products, premium meats, and a wide selection of liquor. Also, they have double coupon day every day, so if you have good coupons it is worth shopping there. However, my favorite thing is their deli sandwiches as you can tell. I wish you a very New Year there :).
Jensens are nice. I used to get Faiths Birthday cakes there, but they are getting to pricey, so now I make the kids cakes. We did get our wedding cake there, and our wedding flowers there, beleive it or not. A lot of our other food was bought there to, and everything was great. I would reccemend it to anybody having a wedding in any of those areas, we had ours in Palm Springs. They delivered the right cake and flowers on time and everything. I was very impressed with their service.
I have had their sandwiches to on occasion. I like the turkey on wheat, with swiss cheese, pickles and olives, no oil or vinager, I am not a fan of soggy sandwichs either.
I never heard of Jensens but it sounds great. I wish their were more family owned grocery stores. One a few towns over from me was just closed a few months ago. It is sad that the chains are eating up all of the competition. Of course with the whole recession people can't afford not to go to the cheaper chains.
I think maybe you might just have an obsession with all sandwich shops. But, then again everyone loves sandwiches. Especially when they are made to order.
I've had a Jensen's sub!lol
You made me hungry for a good sub and I only know of one place that makes the best around here. I hate subway but I am not a big sub fan anyway. I do like them soggy too! HAPPY NEW YEAR SWEETIEPIE
I don't think we have Jensens in NY. Surprising...why they did not enter a commercial place like NY city.
Sounds good...we had a place like that in Calif. OMG the meat they put in the sandwich was 2 in. thick and so good..and they hardly charged what it was worth. but their lines were long and you always had enough for the next day...Man I miss that kind of service and good food...there was another mexican place that roasted a turkey everyday (along with all their other foods) and made the best darn turkey sandwich I have ever had...I can't duplicate it...and I make a good sandwich myself...
Well sweetie you have a nice evening...any partying going on?? Is New Year's Eve???:O) :o) :O) G-Ma :O) hugs/peace
I have never heard of Jensen's but you sure make it sound tasty and a place to have a little nostalgia. As CW says, you are a prolific writer, wow. I can't write that fast.
Have a Happy New Year filled with many blessings! :)
Cherish,
That is the thing I love about Jensen's, they have the wonderful small town service that many of the larger grocery stores have lost. I remember ordering flowers for my mom on her birthday, but unfornately one of the plants I bought for her burned when their office was consumed in the fire back in 2003. I really love some of the great things offered at Jensen's, even though it is more on the pricey side. I still have this theory that Starbucks started offering apple fritters closely resembling the ones at the Jensen's bakery since the Starbucks is next to the bakery in the Blue Jay store. Back when I used to substitute teach I used to stop in to Jensen's and get coffee and donuts for my mom and I. Wonderful memories of the mountain :).
Jim10,
Yes I definitely do have an obsession with all sandwich shops that make to order. It is sad that some of our family own grocery stores are going out of business, but I guess that is just the way things are going as America becomes more and more corporate. Thankfully Jensen's will continue to thrive because they have created a niche and have many well to do customers. If they were in an area where there were more low income customers then I think they may not have lasted as long as they have. Jensen's is a piece of history in Lake Arrowhead because it was the first large scale grocery store on the mountain.
Mike the salesman,
I am sure you have since you lived in the area :).
C.S. Alexis,
I hope you enjoy your next great sandwich at your favorite eatery. I am wishting you the best of New Year ever :).
anjalichugh,
Jensen's is a small family owned chain of stores and I think they have avoided more commercial areas for a reason. Jensen's is similar to Trader Joe's, but on a much larger scale. They cater to a certain niche and people in the local area will always go there for certain things, such as fine meats, gourmet food, their great deli and bakery, and people who love imported liquor also go there because it is one of the few places on the mountain where you can buy specialized wines. I hope you have a wonderful New Year.
VioletSun,
When I am in the mood to write I just scribble away. Jensen's does have a very nostaligic charm and it is a fun place to visit if a tourist in the mountain or desert area. I hpoe you have a wonderful New Year also.
G-Ma Johnson,
The mention of your favorite Mexican food place reminds me of Tony's on our mountain. I love that restaurant and they are known for their good food, and somewhat affordable prices compared to other locations on the mountain. I hope you have a wonderful New Year :).
I love sandwiches too but haven't eaten Jensens sandwich yet. Maybe someday I'd get to try. :)
There are only two Jensen's stores, and both of these are in California. I like Jensen sandwiches, but in all honesty Subway subs are better because you can choose from a wider variety of fixings :).
countrywomen says:
12 months ago
Nice suggestion and will try this out if I am in that neighborhood. You sure are a prolific hubber writing so many hubs.