J P Mc Gurkee's Sandwich Shop — Restaurant in Phoenix

8/17/24 - Short version: there was not anything about this sammy shop that wowed either of us. The best part, IMHO, was the bread: it was a sesame seed toasted bun and it did not take the sandwiches hostages. Meaning there was not an overabundance of bread; it was less bread and more guts. It was not too far of a drive for us but there was nothing about the experience to warrant a return trip.

Longer version: the south parking lot is not much of a lot, maybe three or four spaces. The north lot is off the busier street and not where I would want to park my car.

There is an outside dining area, but it was dark, looked quite overgrown, and as if it had not been cleaned in a good long while. Not even sure if they allow seating back there - we def did not ask.

It has a nice old-feel interior decor. There were two gals behind the counter and only one other customer (it was about 4 o'clock, so early for dinner). The male customer conversed with us, asking if it was our first time there. He then proceeded to tell us how great it was.

Meh, not so much. The gal who took our order was polite. One thing we noticed but also failed to ask about was for pizza. Their online menu mentioned pizza but neither of us saw that option on the printed menus.

The potato salad side was creamy, the pickle spears were good, and both sandwiches were also.

Again, there was nothing about the experience that really stood out to make us feel like a return visit is needed. Been...

Terrible. I work close by, and I have driven past this restaurant for 13 years, and I've never stopped. I wish I hadn't.

Small parking lot with small spaces. No one to greet you when you arrive, so I had no clue what to do. After standing awkwardly at the door without being greeted at all, I walked to the back of the restaurant. Someone stumbled upon me and seemed surprised to see me. I asked to be seated and was told I needed to order at the counter. Cafeteria-style service - you order and pay, get your own drink, and then choose your own seat. I ordered the Patras pasta with a side salad and a beer on the menu. I was told they didn't have the beer I ordered or blue cheese dressing. I asked for a Moretti beer (received) and a water glass I didn't receive. I went back to the counter to get a water glass but never could drink from it because it had lipstick on the outside and food stuck to the inside.

Salad was plain - iceberg lettuce, 2 slices of cucumber, 2 slices of tomato. The pasta was awful. I'm a terrible cook, and I could have done a better job. Overcooked penne, a few sliced mushrooms, and tons of what tasted like store bought sauce. I wouldn't serve it to company - never mind serve it in a restaurant!

If you are tempted to stop...

Be very careful when paying cash. As a long time customer, I went there and hand them a $20 for a sandwich which came out to $10.05. The girl who works there handed me 95 cent back. I asked what happened to remaining and she claimed I handed her $10, not $20. I said then why did you gave me back 95 cent if I hand you $10 for a sandwich costed $10.05. Then the owner started being sarcastic and yelled out I gave her $5.00 instead. I didn't want to argue over $9.95 since they had customers. I actually just dropped the 95 cent into their tipper jar too since it seems like the look on their faces seemed to be desperate to rip off their customers when it comes to cash bills. I will never go back again! I could care less how good their sandwich are. When you rip off your customer over few dollar, this is greed and steal mentality. If owner really cared, he could of come and see the cash register log and decide for himself , but this tells me he and his staff doesn't mind stealing from his customers...