Stop number 17 on the cheese trail brought me straight to Big Block Sandwich Shop, and let me tell you, this one didn’t just meet expectations, it leaned into them hard and came out swinging.
Tucked into a familiar stretch of Grants Pass, Big Block has been quietly building a reputation for bold, no-nonsense sandwiches that don’t try to be fancy, they just try to be good. And more often than not, they hit that mark.
This particular creation starts with an Italian roll that strikes the right balance, sturdy enough to hold everything together, yet soft enough to not get in the way. What’s inside is where things really start to come alive. The shredded beef is the backbone here, tender to the point where it practically falls apart on contact, rich, savory, and clearly given the time it deserves.
Layered into that is a combination that might raise an eyebrow at first, cream cheese and sharp cheddar. But instead of clashing, they work together in a way that feels intentional. The cream cheese brings a smooth, mellow texture, while the sharp cheddar cuts through with just enough bite to keep things interesting.
Then comes the wildcard, a sweet, creamy sauce that ties the whole thing together. It doesn’t overpower, it complements. There’s a subtle Southern comfort food vibe running through the entire sandwich, like something you’d expect to find in a roadside stop somewhere off a long stretch of highway, except this one is right here in Grants Pass.
What stands out most is the creativity. This isn’t just throwing ingredients together and hoping for the best. There’s thought behind it, balance, texture, flavor, all working in sync. It’s another reminder that the local sandwich scene is evolving, and places like Big Block are helping push it forward.
Bottom line, this one crushed. Not because it tried to reinvent the wheel, but because it understood exactly what it wanted to be and executed it well. If this is where stop 17 lands, the rest of the trail has a lot to live up to.
