10/8/2003
Roly Poly Sandwiches Wrap it Up in Style!
What's all rolled up, stuffed with goodness and can be had YOUR way, any way,
any day?
One of the most amazing taste sensations to come along in years, if you don't
already know, is called the wrap. If you're a die-hard white bread lover—FAGEDABOUT
IT! Having gotten into my forties eating most of my sandwiches square—I had
one of my first wraps just months ago. Lucky for me it was from a strange sounding
little place at the Walk in Coral Springs called Roly Poly. Huh?
My Hot Honey Roly Poly was an explosion of flavors that had smoked turkey breast,
bacon, sun dried tomatoes and spinach oozing with melted Jalapeno Jack cheese,
wrapped in a flour tortilla and grilled to a slight crispness outside. I almost
cried.
One of my lunch mates had an amazing combo called the Peachtree Melt which
was lean sliced pork, bacon melted cheddar & jalapeno jack cheese, onion with
barbecue sauce, also wrapped in a tortilla and grilled golden brown with a
side of ranch dressing. Her "Oh my God, Oh my Gods," had nearly every other
diner in the spanking clean restaurant that seats 60 inside with additional
perfect people-watching seating outside, staring at her like she was Sally
in the restaurant scene from "When Harry met Sally." And our third lunch buncher,
a die-hard vegetarian said her French Twist—melted brie & swiss cheese, mushrooms,
tomato, spinach and thinly sliced scallions with a side of honey mustard was "to
die for."
And judging by the faces of the other lunchers, this place has got to be one
of the best kept secrets in NW Broward.
With over 70 inventive combinations that run the gamut from steak and roast
beef to chicken, turkey, ham, roast pork, seafood and veggie versions there's
honestly something for everyone. "We also offer 12 lower fat combos called
Sun Rolys that provide the same degree of taste and creativity without sacrificing
anyone's diet," said co-owner Arment Szmulewitz. "All our food is listed on
nutritional charts in the restaurant. Just about anyone on any specialty diet
can eat here anytime. We have low fat choices, low carb and low points. Plus,
we can alter any existing combination to anyone's preference," he said with
a passion that's actually contagious.
It is hard not to get caught up in the passion of Szmulewitz and long time
friend and partner Marty Silvernik. But it took a lot to get these two guys
excited. Both are former power types with equally impressive pedigrees. Szmulewitz,
the former Executive Vic President of Rexall Sundown, spent 15 years in corporate
America. "I was semi-retired and sort of coasting," he said with boyish charm. "Marty
had been with McDonald's for 28 years doing site development at the corporate
level. Then he moved down here from Chicago and bought several McDonald's.
When he sold them, we were both at the same crossroads at the same time. We
knew we wanted something else to do, but we wanted something fresh and new.
And for me," he said with a laugh, "It's every Jewish boy's dream to own a
restaurant."
But it was clear, not just any restaurant would do. As luck would have it,
the duo heard about two women who were literally taking the Atlanta area by
storm with a fresh new concept in food. Roly Poly founders Linda wolf and Julie
Reid had been rolling these unique and delicious sandwiches and started the
first Roly Poly in 1996, right in the heart of a suburb called Buckhead, which
was within a half mile of other mega sandwich competitors such as Subway, New
Yorker Deli and Schlotzsky's. Yet these two women were rolling 300 sandwiches
a day in that store—and people were lining up. They literally were selling
these creations as fast as they could roll them. "Within days of hearing about
this new concept, Marty and I got on a plane to go have lunch," said Szmulewitz. "We
ate everything," he laughed. "We ordered and sampled dozens of these sandwiches
and couldn't believe how fresh and creative they were. And how good they tasted." They
also couldn't get over the fact that absolutely everything was fresh. "We have
fresh produce brought in everyday," he explained. We prep it fresh for lunch
and then again for dinner—from avocados to tomatoes. All the meats and salads
are fresh everyday; to us it's all in the taste."
And that's probably what mesmerizes first time Roly Poly-ers. The sheer incredible
variety and the astounding combinations. From basil cashew chicken which is
one of their best sellers featuring all white meat chicken salad, fresh basil
mayo, cashews, spicy Thai sauce with avocado, lettuce, tomato and sprouts has
to be tasted to understand.
What's so incredible about Roly Poly is it can suit a family of divergent tastes
and needs and keep everyone happy—no small feat these days. "We have a peanut
butter and jelly Roly," said Szmulewitz, and a whole kids menu of all things
kids like, the mom could be on a diet and the dad could crave anything else—and
we've got it.
Szmulewitz seems as enamored of the concept today as he was when he first tasted
one. "Actually more so now," he says. "We did our homework," he added. "We're
long-term corporate guys, we check and re-checked and found that people absolutely
love this."
So much so, the duo is already developing three more restaurants by the end
of this year.
A fast-growing franchise, there are currently over 130 Roly Poly locations
throughout the US. Over 3 million Roly Polys were hand-rolled last year.
"We do a lot of catering for parties, corporate events and schools. They're easy
to eat and the part that hooks everyone is they can pack their sandwiches with
whatever interests them. It's all tailored to the individual."
Roly Poly also offers this unique boxed lunch program which includes the diner's
choice of sandwich, a bag of chips or side dish and a cookie. And for $5.95
for a half, %7.95 for a whole, it's quite a deal. For those on the go, they
have a quick pick-up call ahead and service and offer FREE delivery for both
lunch and dinner. Most of the selections are between $3.25-$3.85 for a half
sandwich; $4.95-$6.95 for a whole. They offer fresh homemade soups that change
daily, sides, dessert ... and of course their "roll your own," concept. You
get to choose from a list of fresh veggies, meats, cheeses, seafood, poultry,
accoutrements, dressings, spreads and add-ins. Located at 2866 N. University
Dr., (at The Walk) in CS, you can reach them at: 954-341-6744. Please tell
them Parkland Life sent you.
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