By Connor Hammond

Victory Sandwich Review

As I wait for a sudden rainstorm to let up so I can enter the restaurant, let me make a confession: I have a weakness for hipsters and all that comes along with them. The BoHo Punk clothing, the reclaiming of industrial spaces, the up cycling, and of course the tattoos – oh, the tattoos. Attempting to idealize and pay homage to all periods at once, the hipster is in a continuous loop of broadening and refining their taste. I admire this pursuit as it has generated some excellent eateries in Atlanta, and first on this list is Victory Sandwich. This Inman Park staple has just returned home, following an expansion to Decatur and then the loss of its beloved original location — due to Atlanta’s desire to put townhomes on top of interesting things.

Now, back in Inman Park, Victory is in a slick little spot, right off the beltline and up the alley from King of Pops. Cozy and cool, this location with a great patio and a ping-pong room in the back has an intoxicating ambience and aesthetic.

The Menu is small and creative comprising a few snacks, salads and delicious side options such as the Watermelon Salad – kicked up a notch by a coconut/habanero vinaigrette. Victory shows no fear of flavor or ingredients. I ordered the Tea Bird: a chicken sandwich with ghost pepperjack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sweat tea mayo. This unassuming sandwich is simple, tasty, and after a few bite builds to a heat that a capsaicin weakling like me might need to tap out.

Luckily this sandwich is perfectly portioned and after a few bites is gone, so I order another drink and move on to the Castro – a Cuban sandwich and in my opinion the best in the city. Smoked Pork, Ham, Pickle, Fontina Cheese, and yellow mustard. I could eat this every day. While I wait for my cocktail, a twist on a Nigroni with Mezcal Tequila and Amaro, let me briefly address the sandwich size. Yes, these sandwiches are small but they are also only $4 to $5 — so simply order more and enjoy the variety.

This menu is the result of that ever expanding and sifting taste net. With Vietnamese, Cuban, southern, and Italian influences infusing their sandwich list. The drink menu is full of classic recipes tweaked and enhanced by a run through the Victory Sandwich filter. Spiked Sodas or their now-famous Jack and Coke Slushy, a drink you will become very attached to. And because Victory is open 11am till “late” every day indulgence is nearly always at your fingertips.

Since I don’t feel like having to buy any more rounds of Tecate due to my poor ping-pong play, I suppose it is time for me to leave. As I run to my car through another Atlanta Summer downpour, I ask myself a final question: does it feel like Victory is trying really hard to be cool, with the Café racer at the door, the cult movie posters, the carefully placed kitsch, and a staff that looks to be solely recruited from the local Urban Outfitters? Yes, and it is succeeding. So I appreciate and applaud the effort.

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