Ike’s Love & Sandwiches Opens In Pleasanton; Freebies On Wednesday

PLEASANTON, CA — Ike’s Love & Sandwiches — a San Francisco-born, fast-growing sandwich chain that melds pop culture, unique sammies and its signature "Dirty Sauce" — opened it newest location Thursday on Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton.

Located in the former Starbuck's at 1737 Santa Rita, the restaurant plans a grand-opening celebration Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. with freebies, T-shirts and sandwiches, for the first 50 in line, plus a meet-and greet with Ike's founder, Ike Shehadeh.

"I grew up in the Bay and have probably visited Pleasanton 200 times," Shehadeh said. "It’s so cool there is finally going to be an Ike’s there when I visit."

"I’ve got an amazing new fried chicken sandwich, with an extra special sauce, that I made just for my friends in Pleasanton,” added Shehadeh, who routinely crafts sandwiches particular to his stores' locales.

"Ike spends hours creating the menu for each new location with exclusive and iconic sandwiches, (and) menus ... that are connected to the city and community," management said.

• RELATED: Howie Mandel Gets Namesake Sandwich At New Ike's In Woodland Hills

At the new Pleasanton restaurant, the “Blackhawk” hits menus — a sandwich piled high with fried chicken, purple slaw, "Ike's Spicy Sycamore" sauce and gouda cheese, along with a vegetarian version, the “Sunnybrook Farm,” with vegan, fried "chicken," purple slaw, Spicy Sycamore sauce and gouda.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches caters to meat lovers, plus vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free diets, with combos that add up to more than 1,000 sandwiches, the company said.

Diners can choose from such sandwiches as: the "Steph Curry" with turkey, Ike's yellow BBQ sauce and provolone; the "Marshawn Lynch" with fried chicken, bacon, spicy Beastmode BBQ sauce and cheddar; the "Menage A Trois," Halal chicken, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, honey, Pepper Jack, Swiss and cheddar cheeses; and "Reading Rainbow" featuring avocado, Ike's red pesto and cheddar.

"Our Dutch Crunch bread paired with Ike’s exclusive 'Dirty Sauce,' a creamy garlic aioli toasted right into the bread, is a transcendent experience that will electrify your tastebuds," according to Ike's.

Ike's founder, Shehadeh, a self-proclaimed "rebel with a dream," opened his first shop, Ike's Place, in 2007 in San Francisco's Castro Valley — a sandwich success that drew customer line-ups down the block, management said. The chain now operates restaurants throughout California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah.

In the East Bay, Ike’s Love & Sandwiches include locales in Berkeley, Concord, Danville, Dublin, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, Pinole, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Shehadeh will host the Pleasanton's Sept. 7 grand opening, where along with the freebies to the first 50, will offer Ike’s rewards members sandwiches for $6 and selfies with founder "Ike."

“The Bay loves Ike and his delicious sandwiches," said CEO Michael Goldberg. "Our grand opening days are always a great party. Ike will be there keeping the energy high, while people get the first taste of two new sandwiches created as a tribute to Pleasanton.”

Ike’s currently is hiring for the Pleasanton location. For more information, follow this link.

Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. See this link for more info and menu details.

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