Who are the people behind the sandwiches? A few weeks ago we wrote about the move of Geoff’s Sandwiches down to South Main Street. This prompted a response from a former manager who was able to fill in some of the blanks regarding sandwich names . . . his own name will no doubt ring a bell. Wyatt shared some history, “Geoff’s opened in 1977. I was hired as a manager at first and was made a managing partner in 1982. We opened ‘Wyatt’s Rotisserie’ in 1990, a second Geoff’s on Thayer Street in 1992 and a combined Geoff’s/ Wyatt’s inside the 2nd incarnation of Lupo’s in 1993. I left Geoff’s in 1997 to develop a restaurant in Newport.” Now basically retired, Wyatt currently lives in Wakefield and still performs original and traditional music with wife Barbara.
Wyatt has been enthusiastic about our little project, believing as I do, that “The legacy of the sandwiches should be preserved!”
I asked Wyatt how a person merited a signature sandwich. “One thing you should know about Geoff’s — at least back in my tenure any — with very few exceptions, sandwiches were awarded to people who were regular customers, employees or friends. They had to earn it!”
So let’s take a deeper dive into local sandwich nomenclature. Wyatt had initially responded to my query in the original post about two names I did not recognize, and then we just kept running with it. His answers have been lightly edited . . . turns out Wyatt is a pretty good writer. (Pix from sandwich board below.)
Nancy Rothman was not a celebrity, just a regular customer at Geoff’s who ordered that sandwich every time. She was a very nice person, with a great smile. She moved away after her marriage and we only saw her very occasionally thereafter, husband in tow and both ordering her signature sandwich.
Bob Tombelson, on the other hand, was a legend. Before Geoff’s there was Joe’s and Bob was the right-hand person of then owner Dewey Dufresne. Joe’s closed in 1976. Geoff’s opened in 1977 and Bob agreed to come on board for a limited time helping out with training and procedures. We honored him with a signature sandwich, one that had been previously called a “Wacko” at Joe’s. He went on to open his own place in Slatersville I believe.
Ruby Plushner was a long time East Side landlord and then owner of the Benefit street building. He lobbied us hard for years and we finally gave in. Last I heard of him he was doing stand-up comedy in nursing homes in Florida and doing quite well at it. He’s like in his late 80’s maybe.
Mike Schwartz was a local attorney and was ( not sure about now) an almost daily customer. He came up with the sandwich himself and always requested it by saying, “I’d like to eat myself please.”
Romeo DeMarco: Ah Romeo Romeo…now there was a character! He was custodian at the Preservation/ Historical building across the street. An older guy, he came in every day picking up coffee and food for the Preservationists and usually caused some kind of commotion. Funny guy, we loved him.
Jaime Brockett was a local folk singer based out of Boston. Had some big success in the late 60’s and was a staple on FM radio everywhere with his big talking blues hit “Titanic.” Jaime was making a comeback in the late 80’s early 90’s and started coming in regularly when he played Providence. It was my honor to play a show with him one time too. He came up with that sandwich.
One sandwich, the Julianna Lynn, had Wyatt stumped, but I love his answer. “I have no idea, this one is after my time. What’s in it?”
Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches, 401 South Main Street, (directions)
1 thought on “Sandwiches Redux — The Wyatt Responds”
Peter VE
Older (not always politically correct) sandwich names included: Juliette Low – founder of the Girl Scouts, small turkey breast; Ronnie the Mailman; Buddy Cianci; Linda Lovelace – hot tongue. Good to hear from Wyatt again.
Older (not always politically correct) sandwich names included: Juliette Low – founder of the Girl Scouts, small turkey breast; Ronnie the Mailman; Buddy Cianci; Linda Lovelace – hot tongue. Good to hear from Wyatt again.