"Hey, Heyyyy, marry me, Archie!” is the refrain playing through my head every time I dig into an Archie’s sandwich. Though the name of the restaurant is inspired by owner Kevin’s beloved dog, Archie, it seems entirely plausible to me that the offerings at this Bentonville sandwich shop could’ve inspired the lyrics to the Alvvays song (I’m only slightly kidding). Why am I serenading a sandwich shop? 

 

Let me lay it out for you:

 

I love sandwiches (especially big, paper-wrapped deli doozies). I love martinis paired with caviar and Ruffles. I love outdoor picnic tables. I love a healthy dose of silliness served alongside great food. So, why wouldn’t I give them the love they deserve?

 

Archie’s is the move when you want a serious deli-style sandwich and a welcoming atmosphere any time of day. Located at the corner of N. Walton Blvd and NW 3rd St., it’s conveniently situated between downtown Bentonville and Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, which is perfect for cyclists. A pitch for biking there: parking can be limited due to the restaurant sharing a lot with a nearby apartment building, so if you can bike or walk, you can skip trying to find a spot.

Archie's Sandwichery

Archie's Sandwichery

Archie’s Sandwichery is a brand-new, locally owned, and independently operated restaurant serving delicious sandwiches, crafted cocktails, and fresh coffee…

One of the many things I appreciate about Archie’s is their intentionality. These folks have thought through some pinch points in the Bentonville dining scene: they’re open until 10 PM, they are open on Mondays (closed Tuesday) to give diners a Monday option (50% off select items, too, because “mondays suck”), they offer a quick, but solid breakfast menu (7 AM -10 AM) for folks on the move, and their price points are extremely reasonable for the quality and quantity of goodies on the menu.

 

Interior of Archie’s Sandwichery in Bentonville, featuring a bright turquoise ceiling, colorful geometric wall mural, wooden counter service area, hanging lights, and customers gathering and ordering food inside the lively restaurant.

Photo courtesy of Archie's Sandwichery

Full disclosure: my most recent visit was not my first rodeo as you might’ve guessed. This time I wanted to try some “new to me” items (I’m a sucker for a classic Italian sub, so my go-to is usually the Gabagool), so I ordered two “small” sizes of the Americana and Sideshow Bob sandwiches at $10 and $11, respectively–notable because you can easily stretch one small sammie into two meals if you’re only moderately hungry. 

 

The “Americana” is Archie’s stateside take on a classic Italian sub, featuring turkey, salami, ham, havarti, thick cut pickles, shrettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and mustard, all served on Ozark Natural Breads Italian bread. Allow me to wax poetic on the thoughtfulness of this sandwich composition: one of my pet peeves is a magical looking sandwich that slides apart the second you take your first few bites. The meat, cheese, and toppings slide like tectonic plates between slices of bread, leaving you with an uneven, disjointed bite. Not this sammie! The Americana delivers the perfect ratio of textures and flavors, with condiments and veggies on bottom and meat, cheese, and condiments piled high on top, which somehow solves the plight of a slippery sub. This is a perfect sandwich for those looking for a classic, done the Archie’s way.

 

 

A delicious sandwhich on a plate from Archie's Sandwichery

Crispy Boi sandwich, photo courtesy of Archie's Sandwichery 

The “Sideshow Bob” piqued my interest because it combines two deli favorites into one sandwich: egg salad and mortadella. It may sound puzzling, but it’s all in the composition. A base layer of paprika-heavy egg salad is topped with a mountain of arugula (a salad and a sandwich in one), followed by a heaping portion of mortadella, provolone, tomato, onion, bacon, mayo, and mustard. If you’re fueling up for a long ride, this is the perfect protein bomb.

 

Black, white, and tan dog lying on a polished concrete floor against a turquoise wall, resting its head between its paws and looking calmly toward the camera indoors.

Archie, the namesake of the restaurant, photo courtesy of Archie's Sandwichery

 

I paired my sandwiches with a couple of Archie’s international chip offerings: a bag of Torres Iberico ham chips (give these salty kettle chips a try, they’re delightful) and kimchi-flavored ruffles, which are my newest obsession. If you want a real treat, order “The Righteous One,” a martini of your choice (they have 7 on the menu) served with 2 oz. of caviar, creme fraiche, and a bag of ruffles for $45, or if you’re with a friend, get “The Righteous Two: Garçon, make that two martinis” for $55. Did I mention they have a reverse Happy Hour from 8-10pm with $2-3 draft beer and cider and 50% off martinis Wednesday-Monday?

 

Long story, short: call your family and friends and say, “Let’s meet at Archies.”