Local Flavor: Cinnamon buns and Italian sandwiches

Starting the day with a fresh-baked cinnamon bun is a summer-time tradition in the seaside community of Ocean Park for many years – and there’s only one place in Ocean Park to get them.

Ocean Park Subs and Grocery, at 69 Seaside Ave., is opening for its 20^th season today, and will be open every day until October. Ocean Parks Subs and Grocery serves sandwiches, lobster rolls, blueberry muffins made from scratch with Wyman’s blueberries, cookies and other treats – but their signature item is their cinnamon bun.

Fresh baked using a flaky croissant dough and dripping with icing, these pastries require two hands, and are big enough to share – or not. The icing is made in-house and has a hint of citrus, which comes from Oakhurst orange juice, said Ocean Parks Subs and Grocery owner Lisa Kidd. This is the treat that people eagerly wait in line for on a summer morning, and Kidd said the shop sells about 50,000 of them a year.

 

OG's Sandwiches in Biddeford are carrying on a family tradition. COURTESY PHOTO

Speaking of traditions, George Ladakakos and his partner Sue Ellen Howard have announced a soft opening on Saturday and Sunday of OG’s Sandwich Shop at 165 Main St. Biddeford. Ladakakos’s grandfather was the original owner of George’s Sandwich Shop on Franklin Street in Biddeford.  

“My grandfather started it in 1948, and I’ll be carrying on the tradition and legacy,” said Ladakakos.

Ladakakos knows his way around an Italian sandwich, as he grew up working in his grandfather’s sandwich shop, and he said those who loved his grandfather’s sandwiches can expect the same quality sandwich from him.

OG’s Sandwich Shop will serve classic Italians: ham, Genoa, turkey, salami, veggie and roast beef, as well as tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad and ham salad sandwiches, and customers can opt for double meat or combination sandwiches. And yes, they will have lettuce, in addition to the traditional tomatoes, peppers, pickles and onions.

After the weekend’s soft opening, OG’s Sandwich Shop will reopen on Thursday, with an expanded menu that will include wraps and salads. Hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be closed on Wednesday.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.