Perry's Joint

There are few things more cathartic than sitting in silence with a good sandwich and listening to jazz music, which is why it’s hard to skip Perry’s anytime we’re in Pasadena. The nearly 20-year-old sandwich shop isn’t jazz-themed per se, but as you walk in and spot portraits of famous musicians adorning the walls and hear Duke Ellington emanating from the loudspeaker, it’s clear that music is a priority here. That and delicious sandwiches, of course. The menu is pretty wide-ranging with everything from straight-forward turkey clubs to tuna melts to hot pastrami with pepperoncini, but if it’s your first time, the Hey Joe! is a must. Filled with hot roast beef, pastrami, a hotlink, cheese, onion, diced peppers, mayo, and mustard, this is by no means a light sandwich, but it’s very well-balanced. It’s spicy, savory, and salty with a perfect crunch in each bite courtesy of that hotlink.