There’s something unassuming about a paper bag. It doesn’t shout for attention. It quietly holds what’s inside. But when you take a bite of what’s wrapped within, the flavors suddenly speak louder than anything you might’ve expected.
That’s when you realize the paper bag isn’t to conceal; it’s a loud whisper, a quiet force so powerful it deafens everything else, leaving only taste. And you’re grateful for it.
Once you’ve eaten at this restaurant, the next paper bag you see will remind you of a sandwich so delicious your drool will start to taste like mustard, mayo and fresh Cuban bread. Ladies, gentlemen and everyone in between, I give you: The Paper Bag.
Lately, I've been having nightmares — terrible dreams where this restaurant doesn’t exist. I would wake up crying, sweating and shaking violently. There’s a reason this place was anointed by Guy Fieri’s reality TV show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” where he rates America’s best “greasy spoon” restaurants.
The Paper Bag is a temple, and Guy Fieri is its high priest blessing every sandwich with his divine frosted tips. Each bite feels like a spiritual awakening and a revelation wrapped in wax paper. The flavors are so profound they could convert even the proudest sandwich skeptics. It's not just food, but an otherworldly experience that lingers in your dreams like lettuce in teeth.
In 1871, Margaret E. Knight revolutionized the paper bag by inventing a machine that produced flat-bottomed bags, perfect for carrying groceries and, eventually, sandwiches.
Now, Richard Sterck, the owner of this restaurant, has revolutionized the paper bag once again.
With a menu inspired by loved ones and fun sandwich names like “Tre Way Jay” and “Hey Antonio!!! It’s Meatball!!!”, it's obvious Sterck pours his heart into this place. The personal flair is something you can both taste and see, littered with evidence of a fun and nostalgic intent. By the time you’re done eating, it will feel like you grew up smelling the bread and meat of the restaurant.
Now that you're old enough, it's time to review a couple of my favorite dishes from the menu.
#11: Tre Way Jay
Fun to say and even more fun to eat, this sandwich was my first introduction to the restaurant. It’s what made me come back again and again to eventually eat my way through the menu. I’ll let the description speak for itself: “If you can hit a Tre ball at the buzzer, then this sandwich is for you. Burned pork ends, maple honey ham, thick cut pork belly, sweet and spicy bourbon glaze, American cheese, pickled Vidalia onions, served on Italian hoagie.”
If this doesn’t have you foaming at the mouth, then there’s something wrong with you. It’s as if America gave Italy a kiss on the cheek, but I'm the one left blushing. The bourbon glaze strikes the pork and honey ham with ferocity. The vinegar-stained pickled onions squeeze the tense flavors of the chewy pork belly.
It’s obvious there is a war going on between these ingredients, and you alone emerge victorious. The only white flag raised is the napkin to your lips to wipe away the sweet and spicy glaze before you head home, forever changed.
#16: The Vegas – Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
Right below this intriguing sandwich title, there was a command: “Let Us Build Your Sandwich!!!” When a king speaks an order, you bow. But when a sandwich shop offers to craft you whatever they please, you hand your credit card over and let them do the rest.
I’ve ordered this countless times, and no sandwich has been the same. With more combinations than a deck of cards, be ready for pocket aces every time. My favorites so far have been the creamy pesto chicken and the smoky, rich and cheesy barbecue.
If you don’t know what you’re craving, let the professionals tell you. Normally, when you roll a die, you‘ll never see one and six at the same time. But at The Paper Bag, they sit side by side, and when you roll the dice on #16, the odds are always in your favor.
Closing remarks
My mom once said that when you cook for people, you’re putting your love into the food you make. The Paper Bag reminds me of her words. It’s not just a deli; it’s a love letter to flavor, community and everyone who walks through its doors. Every sandwich here is a story, a piece of someone’s heart pressed between two slices of bread. You can taste the care, the creativity and, of course, the love.
So next time you’re in Gainesville, roll the die or make any choice. Just let The Paper Bag remind you what good food made passionately really tastes like.
Aidan Ragan is a UF computer science senior.
Aidan Ragan is a UF computer science senior.
