In my travels, I like to try local spots. I avoid chains when I can so I can support local business and try something new. Monday happened to be one of the most standout days for this as I stopped in to Darwin on Clinton for a sandwich after work. To say the least, I was blown away. 

Set back in a side hall of One Lincoln Center on Frederick Street in Downtown Syracuse, Darwin looks like a standard mom and pop sandwich shop. The menu, on the other hand, is a dream for food lovers. Every two weeks, Darwin changes their menu. The categories are a beef sandwich, chicken, turkey, vegetarian and seafood. They have one of each category every two weeks and have a rotation of sandwiches. I decided to go for the chicken sandwich they had on the menu for that day which was the “When Doves Fly” special. 

This sandwich might make you cock your head, but I am telling you it is magnificent. The best part? This particular sandwich was the winner of their “Best Sandwich Ever” competition last year and returns to the menu every so often. On the side I ordered a jalapeno popper macaroni salad that contained sour cream, ranch, cream cheese, scallions and sliced pickled jalapeño rings. 

The sandwich: Southern-style fried chicken with melted New York Cheddar cheese, greens, onion straws and “Purple Rain” grape jelly pepper sauce.

I cannot get over how good this sandwich was. The chicken was shatteringly crisp on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. Every bite had a bit of everything in it and that is what made the sandwich work so well. You may not think that a grape jelly pepper sauce would work well with fried chicken and onion, but it works harmoniously. The greens and the jelly balanced out the richness and crispness of the chicken and onions, and the cheese provided a nice subtle sharpness to each bite. You know when you are eating food that you just cannot get enough of and get sad when you are down to the last bite? I was there every single bite of the sandwich. 

The Pasta Salad: sour cream, ranch, cream cheese, scallions and sliced pickled jalapeño rings

I would not call myself a pasta salad savant, but I do know a good one when I try it. And Darwin’s Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad was unbelievable. Instead of just mayo or Italian dressing, the chefs at Darwin made a dressing of sour cream, cream cheese and ranch to coat the pasta. Within that lies the real kicker. Jalapeño rings and scallions provide a nice crunch and the creamy dressing balances the heat nicely. You still get a bit of a burn, but it is aided quickly by the rich, smooth dressing. 

The Verdict: Best part about everything here? I paid $21 total with a tip for a sandwich, side and a drink. For a rockin’ deal like that, they will have my business every day if I could swing it. But the price almost does not matter because you can tell that every single piece of food that comes together to make these sandwiches or salads is meticulously prepared with love, skill and passion. There are more than one chef per station as well. The kitchen culture at this restaurant is an open floor for creativity and exploration of food. 

I spoke with the owner about writing this article and he put it very simply: “I know another foodie when I see one,” and boy did he hit the nail on the head. This sandwich shop is for everybody, but it is a foodie’s dream. If you got the time and you are down on Clinton Avenue, this is the only restaurant I recommend. 5/5 stars and I will shout it from the mountaintops.