Say the words “The Sandwich Maker” and most people picture bánh mì or a deli counter. What they don’t expect is Korean BBQ ribs — but it’s on the menu, it’s the most expensive item in the house, and it might be the single most interesting order at 987 University Ave.
The Item Itself
The Sandwich Maker’s menu lists two versions:
- Korean BBQ Ribs over Rice — $21.50
- Korean BBQ Ribs + Lemongrass BBQ Chicken (combo) — $20.95
There’s also a standalone Lemongrass BBQ Chicken over Rice at $16.50 for anyone who wants the chicken half without the ribs.
At $21.50, the standalone rib plate is the single highest-priced item on The Sandwich Maker’s entire menu — higher than the phở, higher than any sandwich, higher than the vermicelli bowls. That alone says something: this isn’t a filler item added to round out a menu. It’s positioned as a premium plate.
Why This Makes Sense on This Menu (And Wouldn’t Anywhere Else)
The Sandwich Maker already runs a from-scratch Vietnamese kitchen — bánh mì with baked baguettes and house-pickled vegetables, phở simmered for hours, lemongrass BBQ chicken over rice. Korean BBQ ribs slot naturally into that same “rice plate with grilled protein” category that Vietnamese rice-plate cooking already uses. It’s not a random addition; it’s a genuine extension of a kitchen that already knows how to build a BBQ-and-rice plate, just applied to a different marinade tradition.
That’s also why the combo option — Korean BBQ Ribs paired with Lemongrass BBQ Chicken — makes sense as a menu item rather than a novelty. Both are grilled, glazed proteins served over rice; pairing them lets a single plate cover two different BBQ styles side by side.
Who Should Order This
- First-timers who only know the sandwiches: This is the item that proves there’s more range here than the name “Sandwich Maker” implies.
- Groups who can’t agree on a cuisine: The combo plate (ribs + lemongrass chicken) splits the difference between two BBQ styles in one order.
- Anyone looking for a heartier, dinner-style plate: At $21.50, this is priced and portioned as a fuller meal rather than a quick lunch sandwich.
How It Compares to the Rest of the Rice & Noodle Plates
For context, here’s where the Korean BBQ ribs sit against the rest of The Sandwich Maker’s rice and noodle plates:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Lemongrass BBQ Chicken over Rice | $16.50 |
| Vermicelli with Grilled Pork, Chicken, or Beef | $17.50 |
| Chicken Phở | $17.95 |
| Beef Phở | $17.95 |
| Tofu & Veggie Phở | $17.95 |
| Korean BBQ Ribs + Lemongrass BBQ Chicken | $20.95 |
| Korean BBQ Ribs over Rice | $21.50 |
The ribs sit clearly at the top of the price range — the plate to order when you want the kitchen’s most premium offering, not its quickest one.
Order It Direct
The Korean BBQ Ribs over Rice and the combo plate are both available for direct online order, with no third-party delivery fees, at 987 University Ave #38, Los Gatos, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Order direct: https://online-ordering.innowi.com/branch/sandwichmaker
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Korean BBQ Ribs over Rice at The Sandwich Maker? A: It’s a rice plate featuring Korean-style BBQ ribs, priced at $21.50 — the highest-priced single item on the current menu.
Q: What’s the difference between the Korean BBQ Ribs plate and the combo? A: The standalone Korean BBQ Ribs over Rice ($21.50) is ribs only. The combo ($20.95) pairs the ribs with Lemongrass BBQ Chicken over rice, giving you both proteins in one plate for slightly less than the ribs alone.
Q: Is there a version without ribs? A: Yes — Lemongrass BBQ Chicken over Rice is available on its own for $16.50.
Q: Why does a Vietnamese-American sandwich shop serve Korean BBQ ribs? A: The kitchen already builds Vietnamese-style BBQ-and-rice plates (like the lemongrass chicken); the Korean BBQ ribs extend that same rice-plate format with a different marinade tradition, making it a natural fit rather than an outlier.
Q: How do I order the Korean BBQ Ribs? A: Order directly through https://online-ordering.innowi.com/branch/sandwichmaker for priority pickup at 987 University Ave #38, Los Gatos.
