We have our Holiday Winners!

Happy Holidays Everyone! We have our fifteen (15) winners, along with some music to announce the winners and some responses to your comments and questions!

Before we announce the list, we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight those items people wanted on our permanent menu and to answer some of the comments people posted.

Please note, that "theme" of the comments was those sandwiches people would like to see added to the menu, we are planning a menu revision in the summer with the intentions of adding items, not taking them away. Rest asserted, favorites such as the Pilgrims Progress, Abbotts Habit, REO Speedwagon etc. are going nowhere.

Based on the comments posted on the Goo Times and Facebook (become a fan!), here is a recap of those items people would like to see on our permanent menu:

• The French Picnic (Deborah Weber's sandwich! The 2009 name your sandwich contest winner)
• Cream of Brocolli Soup
• Kickin' Chicken Soup
• Holiday Sandwich
• Southwest Chicken Wrap (we are in talks about adding wraps to our permanent menu)
• Beef Stew
• Bay Shrimp Wrap (we are in talks about adding wraps to our permanent menu)
• The Farmer's Market
• Widow Bennett (an oldie but goodie!)
• The Cannonball Express II ("Raging Bull" agrees with this one!)
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Tortellini Pasta Salad

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions! As we move forward, be sure to check back with the Goo Times for more menu updates and developments.

We also wanted to take the time to respond to a couple of user coments:

1. Allen A. (from our Facebook Fan Page): I think that the muffaletta was an awesome sandwich and should be put on the menu. I ordered it one day, but was disappointed that it was no longer being served. Glad to hear you were a fan of the muffaletta, as part of our "What's New" promotions this year, there are no immediate plans to bring it back. However, it is in discussions to be an addition to our permanent menu and/or a regular in our "What's New" promotions.
2. Dawn: I still haven't tried anything other than the Pilgrim's Progress--I don't know what I'd eat if you took it off the menu! I think the amount of meat is just perfect, though I always get no onions and substitute lettuce for the sprouts. Have no fear, the Pilgrim's Progress will always be part of our permanent menu.
3. Anonymous: The serving portion of the meats on the sandwiches really seems meager these days, sadly. Enough to not want to go to Erik's anymore, and I hate that-I love Eriks's otherwise! That is a concern we are addressing, especially re: the Holiday Sandwich and the Pilgrim's Progress. However, please know that we strive to provide the same, consistent portions in all our sandwiches and that there are times that if presentation isn't correct that the portions look smaller than they actually are. I can assure you that no decision was made to decrease portion sizes (in fact as I mentioned above we are looking to increase the portion size in some sandwiches, i.e. the Pilgrim's due to customer feedback). In the interim please do not hesitate to contact us and let us know which location you have visited as both our staff here and the franchisee will want to address your concerns. Thanks!
4. Stella: Also, I miss the meatloaf sandwich...what was it called, "charley horse" or "cross-eyed charley"? I can't remember the name, but I do remember the sandwich. It was called the "cross-eyed charley," and from what I can gleam through my "sources" (i.e. meetings) is that there is a strong possibility we will bring a meatloaf sandwich into our stores in Spring 2010.
5. Anonymous: I loved the southwest chicken wrap. It's a great alternative to those who want a twist on a regular sandwich. Please, please make it a part of your regular menu!! Look for the addition of wraps to our permanent menu this summer!
6. Anonymous: How about a mushroom and onion sauteed sandwich on a roll (with special Goo, of course). Could be called a shroom-zoom. Also, I really miss your wonderful Beef Stew. Any chance of that returning ? Thanks for the sandwich suggestion, it is something to keep in mind for our Next Name Your Sandwich Contest. Unfortunately, no plans for the Beef Stew to be part of our regular menu, however, it is still part of our soup rotation, so be sure to check in with an Erik's Near You or our website to see if it is being served!
7. bekah1224:I Pilgrims Progress, would like to see the Macaroni & Cheese back on the permanent menu. As well as the tortellini pasta salad. Those were THE BEST! The only thing my kids would eat from Erik's. I would not like to see the French Picnic! It was TERRIBLE. The bread was rubbery, the meat dry, the garlic WAY TOO BIG (whole pieces of garlic on a sandwich? They couldn't run a knife over it once or twice?) It did sound so good but after I got home and took one bite, I drove back and returned it. That has been an issue for some french picnics...if they are not built correctly then the garlic, etc. overpowers the sandwich. Could you let us know (thegootimes@eriksdelicafe.com), the location as I'd like to report this back to our Operations Team. Thanks!
8. ew: I want you to bring back the Widow Bennett! I cannot be the only person in the bay area who remembers that melty, delicious pile of warm cheesy delight on dark pumpernickel bread! OMG I miss that sandwich so much. For the first few months after it was pulled, I could still order it as those who worked there were familiar with the sandwich. But then...sadly...it was gone for good. OK, if it can't be a resurgence of the WB, then definitely PLEASE make the French Picnic a permanent sandwich. Holy smokes, that sandwich is soooo good, after eating one, I want to have another! The roasted garlic is what makes it. The Window Bennett takes me back! You remember the Barn Buster? Loved it as a kid, hoping we bring it back or at least feature it in a What's New...

And without further ado, our fifteen (15) free sandwich card winners (with part of their comments posted)...

(as a bonus, and this comes directly from Raging Bull, who will happily send a free sandwich card to the first person to email: thegootimes@eriksdelicafe.com and name the since canceled television show this song appeared on and what season...hint, it was on FOX and lasted three seasons)

1. SerenaNg (from facebook): Put the Classic Holiday Sandwich on the permanent menu!...
2. Loni: I love me some Erik's!
3. Terry H: I know it's not a sandwich, but I would like you to bring back your delicious Cream of Brocolli soup...
4. April F. (from facebook): I love the French Picnic! Please keep it on the permanent menu!...
5. Eugene: Actually, I would like to see the Kickin' Chicken as a permanent soup...
6. Nick: bbot's Habit need to stay! i always get it!
7. Shirley P: Please be sure to keep the REO Speedwagon - that is THE best sandwich ever...
8. Seldap: Put the French Picnic on the main menu!...
9. Deana: I love the Farmers Market (with the molasses bread)
10. Raquel C.: I love the French Picnic! Melts in your mouth bites.. =D
11. JT: Please keep ERIK’S REUBEN on the permanent menu...
12. Charles: My selections for permanent menu items...
13. Richard E: REO sandwich is always a favorite of mine :)...
14. Rachel B:The Farmer's Market is one of my new favorites that I'd love to see on the permanent menu.
15. rickzeek: Abbott's Habit should definitely be on the permanent menu...

Please make sure to email: thegootimes@eriksdelicafe.com your mailing address so we can get your free sandwich card out to you! We will also attempt to contact those who have won and are looking at ways to be able to contact winners directly (before we switched to google blogger, all comments required an email adress, something we may go back to).

Happy Holidays and till next time...