I don’t know if you have had Zoe’s Kitchen in your area, but it was a favorite family restaurant for many years. It has recently closed, and while there are other similar restaurants (Tazikis and CAVA specifically), which we love, they just don’t replace Zoe’s Kitchen. I asked my family if they wanted to join my tribute to Zoe’s on the post. Here are their remarks:

Lainey: Your family meal with Chicken Roll Ups is greatly missed.

Asher: You were good. I ate you.

Lucy: Zoe’s Kitchen. Your food was gas. You are missed.

Meg: RIP, Zoe’s Kitchen. You were such a fun, Sunday after-church spot to eat when I was younger.

Me: Gosh I miss you, Zoe’s Kitchen. You had something for everyone in my home, during their young years to their grown up years. Your Greek salad with the surprise of Greek potato salad tucked underneath was genius, and with grilled chicken and onions added, it was next level. The family meal of kabobs, the chicken salad, the sides (rosemary white beans, tomato/feta/basil pasta salad, feta slaw) and this Greuben Sandwich were some of my favorites!

Now that Zoe’s has closed and we no longer can eat there, I am trying to recreate some of their dishes. I thought I would start with The Greuben. It is a healthier, fresher version of a Reuben Sandwich- a grilled turkey and Swiss sandwich with feta slaw. It’s so tasty and easy to pull together.

Zoe’s Greuben Sandwich

Tangy Feta Slaw Makes enough for 4-6 sandwiches but is also a great side dish

Slaw Ingredients:

• 6 cups of cabbage, shredded thinly
• 2 green onions, sliced small (use white and green parts)
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• Coarse salt to taste
• 2 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Preparation of Slaw:

Shred cabbage (with knife, mandolin, or food processor) and dice green onions.

In a glass measuring cup or jar: whisk together vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and sugar. Combine with the cabbage mixture, add feta and refrigerate for several hours (or use immediately if you don’t have time to let it soak).

Sandwich Ingredients (per sandwich)

• 2 slices of Rye Bread (or Marbled Rye, or just a hearty crusty bread)
• butter, olive oil or cooking spray
• 1-2 sliced Swiss cheese
• 3-4 slices of deli turkey (your preference)
• Spicy mustard to taste
• Marinated slaw (recipe above) 

Preparation of Sandwiches:

Spread the mustard on each piece of bread.

Add the cheese to one slice of bread, and then the turkey. (If you want to, you can brown the turkey just a bit on the skillet before grilling the sandwiches.)

If you have a Panini Maker or a Griddle Press:

Place sandwich closed onto the griddle. Cook until cheese is melty and bread toasty.

Remove sandwich from panini maker, and open. Top one of the pieces with a good amount of the slaw and close back up. Slice in half and enjoy immediately, while the turkey and cheese are still warm.

(If you have room to store a Panini maker, and you like a grilled/warm sandwich, our family would wholeheartedly recommend you purchase a Panini maker. You can get a cheap one like we have that currently is listed at $32 and has lasted 8 years so far. It elevates sandwiches from “lunch” to “dinner” in my mind, and fits 2 sandwiches at a time.)

If you are using a stove top:

Preheat pan. Add a drizzle of olive oil* and heat until glistening.

Place both sides of the sandwich open-faced on the hot skillet and brown until cheese is melty and pan-side of the bread is golden. Remove sandwich and top one of the pieces with a good amount of the slaw and close to make into a sandwich. Slice in half and enjoy immediately, while the turkey and cheese are still warm.

*My drizzle of olive oil situation has recently gotten an upgrade with this GRAZA “Drizzle” that my son gave me for Mother’s Day. He knows the way to my heart. 🙂 Good ingredients//kitchen gadgets. The squirt bottle is so much easier to use than my bottle of olive oil that glugs more than drizzles.

Did you have Zoe’s Kitchen in your city? And if so, what’s your favorite menu item you would like to recreate?