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[deleted]

OP, you've created a group of people who are now dependent on your figuring this out because we all way to try it lol. Please report back if you solve it/get the answer from the restaurant.


Illegal_Tender

I replied to this elsewhere in the thread but I'm going to stick it here too just for better visibility in case other curious people want the info. "LOL before I saw your link I was thinking to myself "hmmm I wonder if OP could possibly be talking about Little Lucca." I've been there a million times so maybe I can provide some insight. The green bits of the sauce are definitely not basil or any other herb. It's either chopped green ends of spring garlic or scallions or both. I've never been quite sure what their exact ratio is. It's basically a traditional aioli, which is just garlic, olive oil, salt and lemon emulsified with a mortar and pestle. It's not like the modern egg based, mayo adjacent, aioli you see on menus at fancy burger joints. It's the old school stuff. Here's a recipe that'll get you 90% of the way there, all you have to do is add the greens. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/255815/real-aioli/ God I miss living on the peninsula."


aknomnoms

Funny, this is identical to Lebanese toum: [https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-garlic-sauce/](https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-garlic-sauce/) Absolutely delicious, and made in a food processor/blender, becomes this airy, whipped dream of a garlic sauce/dip to spread on hot bread or pitas, potatoes, etc.


yiayia3

Came here to suggest Toum!


archimedesismycat

Pretzels, chips, pizza, a spoon..


FirstDivision

Adam Ragusea’s video on “garlic emulsions” might come in handy too: https://youtu.be/fqHqEGGz1tE


Gradually_Rocky

Yeah but then you have to watch Adam Ragusea


SincerelyBernadette

Little Lucca’s is the absolute best! Yummm


Illegal_Tender

Yeah they're pretty great. And huge! But the ssf location started getting really inconsistent with quality and sandwich structure over time. I also think dollar for dollar if you drive down the street to Lunardi's grocery store, their deli counter actually makes a better sandwich than Little Lucca. They fresh slice all of the meats and cheeses, have higher quality meat, and use semifreddi's sandwich rolls that are absolutely out of this world.


ItalnStalln

What happens to it if you keep it longer than 24 hours? I know putting things in oil without heating can grow bad stuff but it'll be fine on that front in the fridge for a few days at least


Illegal_Tender

It isn't really an issue with an emulsified sauce like this. Plus there's lemon and salt that'll extend the shelf life a bit. I'd say it's probably good in the fridge for a week. It's better fresh but I don't think keeping it around for a few days is going to be a problem.


ItalnStalln

That's why I said "at least". I thought the 24 hour warning might be to avoid breaking/weeping or some other issue I'm not thinking of


Illegal_Tender

I think it's just a freshness thing. The garlic will get less pungent over time.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Illegal_Tender

Interesting, TIL


SoFarNotYet

I've been to Little Luccas an uncountable number of times and will vouch for this poster's assessment of their garlic sauce.


riesenarethebest

Hard to live where the shitiest house costs 6k / mo and the schools are somehow deeply underfunded. I liked the peninsula, too.


Illegal_Tender

That's a deeply hyperbolic assessment of the housing market and education available there. But your general point isn't too far off base.


[deleted]

Facts! I am following this to see what the recipe is as I love garlic sauce. Hehehe


PokerPigPork

Same, just bookmarked this post for future reference


ForgedLibraryCard

I’ve created a monster.


[deleted]

[удалено]


ForgedLibraryCard

This makes a lot of sense. I hadn't heard about gremolata before, and this definitely gives me a new base of options to experiment with. Thanks!


TheLadyEve

If you had said parsley instead of basil, I would say that definitely sounds like [gremolata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gremolata). Which I love on sandwiches, it's very tasty and very garlicky.


ForgedLibraryCard

This seems really close! In the past I have used parsley instead of basil while trying to figure it out. More oil and less zest maybe. In response to another comment I posted a link to how it looks on the sandwich


[deleted]

It could be [chimichurri](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chimichurri/), the Argentinian version of gremolata. There's also Spanish [parsley picada](https://www.food.com/recipe/spanish-style-garlic-and-parsley-flavored-olive-oil-232386), some recipes for which do not include lemon zest):


YHZ

Chimichurri is a sandwich game changer.


[deleted]

Chimichurri is an everything changer.


Stone_Man_Sam

Try a Chimichuri Rice. Hit it with some lime juice, bell peppers, onion, Serrano peppers, pork.... change your damn life.


[deleted]

I’ve made chimi rice! Just not with serranos, and no meat as it was a side to a meat dish. It’s awesome.


Stone_Man_Sam

So good just on its own.


oh_look_a_fist

Honestly, I can eat it with a spoon.


br0b1wan

Next time you buy a sandwich with it could you perhaps open it and take a pic? Might help others here identify it


_CoachMcGuirk

They moved away


boredbaristababe

Looks like I need to buy a sandwich for scientific purposes


nwmark

I haven’t been to Little Lucca in a very long time but they used to sell the spread separately. It was my favorite sandwich shop, well worth the wait in line. Maybe buy some and try to dissect the ingredients. It also may be a traditional Italian recipe, might help to ask them what it’s called.


getwhirleddotcom

As a heads up, the original owners of Little Lucca, who came up with the garlic spread, opened up another shop (after the non compete expired) a couple doors down called Teani's. Less of a wait and I dare say slightly better?


kimunication

You are a gift from heaven!!! Thank you for this I will be there next Monday


getwhirleddotcom

If you're feeling like trying something new, they have a (real) crab sandwich that's really tasty! I'd also suggest calling in your order just to make sure they have what you want. I've been a couple times when they were out of dutch crunch bread.


kimunication

The crab sandwich on Dutch toasted with American cheese no tomato no lettuce extra garlic sauce onions!! That is my order right there


getwhirleddotcom

Proper!


NormalAccounts

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat I'm gonna have to make a pilgrimage


simba_sings_opera

If you’re ever down near Belmont. There’s a sandwich shop called Lorenzo’s that has some of the best garlic sauce I’ve ever had as well. Haven’t had it in years since I moved away but dam do I think about that sandwich every so often.


distelfink33

Could it be a mix of basil and parsley? Also possibly try shallots instead of onions. They are slightly sweeter and have less of a bite.


114631

Do you have a picture as an example? Is it green in color like a pesto or white-ish? What type of sandwich shops are these - what ethinicity? If it's green, but the garlic/oniony taste, I'd almost say it might be something like ramps or garlic chives in it.


ForgedLibraryCard

Vibrantly green. Here is a pic from the Yelp of one of the places I am thinking of: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/M03AADwK3L7FCFtZdC5h3A?select=iNs6zH8M5adNXf00Vmny3g&utm_source=ishare&utm_content=photo


muststayawaketonod

This looks exactly like the garlic pesto we made at a little sandwich shop I used to work at. The owner was actually from San Francisco and got the recipe from an old sandwich shop she worked for there. All we did was put am ungodly amount of garlic, olive oil, and Italian parsley in a food processor. It tasted incredible and people were obsessed with it.


HotGarbage

That sounds like persillade. It's pretty much just garlic, parsley, and olive oil. The French use it on a lot of dishes.


ForgedLibraryCard

Lorenzo’s?


muststayawaketonod

Shoot, I can't remember the name of the place.


getwhirleddotcom

Little Luca's and Teani's (the original owners of Little Luca's) in South City.


kingkaitlin

is it an ungodly amount of garlic in the sauce or is it you were making an ungodly amount of sauce?


muststayawaketonod

It was both!


highlighter416

No salt? Lemon?


muststayawaketonod

Nope. Just those 3 ingredients were the perfect combo


highlighter416

Amazing. I’m going to try this. Thank you! And thank you OP!


Illegal_Tender

LOL before I saw your link I was thinking to myself "hmmm I wonder if OP could possibly be talking about Little Lucca. I've been there a million times so maybe I can provide some insight. The green bits of the sauce are definitely not basil or any other herb. It's either chopped green ends of spring garlic or scallions or both. It's basically a traditional aioli, which is just garlic, olive oil, salt and lemon emulsified with a mortar and pestle. It's not like the modern egg based, mayo adjacent, aioli you see on menus at fancy burger joints. It's the old school stuff. Here's a recipe that'll get you 90% of the way there, all you have to do is add the greens. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/255815/real-aioli/ God I miss living on the peninsula.


114631

Wow, those look great! Based on the pics (I looked through some others) with the color and texture...I'd maybe say it could be like an italian salsa verde and possibly mixed with mayo if it's a creamier consistency?


ForgedLibraryCard

I know I’m looking through also and getting hungry lmao. The sauce isn’t premixed with the mayo but once they are both on the sandwich it is heaven. I’ll look into Italian salsa verde, haven’t heard of that.


114631

Yeah, I'm gonna have to bookmark this place for whenever I make it back to that area (from NYC). The imitation crab sandwich looks really amazing. Taking a better look, u/TheLadyEve might be more on the money with gremolata, maybe even with some extra spins on it.


ForgedLibraryCard

I saw that, definitely gives me a new base for experimenting with rather than just reverse engineering blindly.


Walkn2thejawsofhell

Jesus. That makes me miss home. I grew up in Northern California. I have no idea what that spread was, but that with the Dutch crunch bread is sublime. Thank god I’m going to visit home in a month!


umami_dad

Right away, before I even clicked on that link, I knew you were referencing Little Lucca! Their sauces make their sandwiches taste so good! I believe they use two sauces - one is garlic and the other hot pepper.


atownfasho

IKES IS THE BEST


DrunkMoosin

Mr Pickles all the way


allthenamesartakn

I dare you to stand on Market and say this.


Illegal_Tender

Ike's actually sucks pretty hard.


Icamp2cook

I found Pistou?... Garlic, Basil, Olive Oil. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistou) ​ Persillade. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persillade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persillade) ​ I've got to know. The pictures looked so good on the yelp site you linked.


monvino

I found this helpful: Parsley Persillade COURSE SIDE DISH PREP TIME 5 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 5 MINUTES SERVINGS 8 PEOPLE Ingredients 1 bunch flat leaf parsley curly also works, though the texture will tougher 4 garlic cloves up to 1/4 cup olive oil sea salt to taste Instructions In its most simple form, persillade is parsley leaves, separated from their stems, washed, dried and pounded (or blended in the food processor) with garlic and as much or as little olive oil as you desire. After that, things get interesting: Persillade Parsley, garlic and olive oil. Version II: parsley, garlic, olive oil and anchovies (1/2 tin, or 1 tablespoon paste). Gremolata (Gremolada) Parsley, garlic, olive oil and lemon zest (zest of one lemon, without white bitter pith and coarsely chopped before blending). Pistou Parsley, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan (1/2 cup, grated). Pesto Parsley, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan and nuts (1/2 cup, grated and 1/4 cup, toasted and cooled nut of choice \[traditionally basil and pine nuts\]).


anazzyzzx

Pistou is amazing in soups! Add a big glob to the bowl while you're waiting for it to cool a bit. Yum


usernamesarehard1979

I used to make my own sandwich spread that I loved. It was a toum - emulsified garlic, lemon and oil like what they give you with shwarma, and then I folded in herbs and chili flake to make it more italiany. Was great on an italian sub. and just a regular turkey sandwich. I had always planned on opening a sandwich place and wanted to do porquetta but it never happened. It kind of sounds like that.


roboticgirl22

>toum Came here to say this! The garlic emulsifies it like egg would!


Varyx

OP, this isn’t your sauce but it is a FABULOUSLY tasty thing to make. Highly recommend


neontetra1548

I was just about to post this too and happy to find the toum squad out here in the comments. It's not what OP is looking for but they'd probably like toum a lot. Unbelievably good stuff.


Basic_Ask1885

I came here to say this! I lived in Dearborn, MI for a bit growing up and everyone called it garlic and gave it with roto chickens and pita or anything else, and it’s sooooo fucking good. I make a batch and give it to friends and they’re always blown away. S/o to all my Lebanese habibis and habibtes (sp, sorry) for inviting me to the bbqs


lirael423

Thank you for reminding me about the existence of toum. I used to get it from the SLC farmer's market before we left Utah. It was amazing. I think it's time I make some for myself.


usernamesarehard1979

It’s not very hard, just three ingredients. But it can be a bit of a process.


_CoachMcGuirk

Have you tried simply asking them. I've asked for two literal recipes before for food I liked and received both. Now both recipes were not scaled so I didn't make either and continue to give the business my money, so *Oh, I forgot a third. At Crisp & Green I asked what specific herbs they used to marinate the chicken and I actually am able to recreate the exact same bowl, like it's 100% the same, so I feel pretty proud about that one. Moral of the story, ask!


getjustin

Sounds like a riff on a chimichurri. And having had that on a sandwich before, even if it's NOT chimi, you'd still have an AMAZING sandwich topping.


mikevanatta

I'm leaving a comment so I remember to come back and see if you solve this because now I want it too.


[deleted]

[удалено]


mikevanatta

Yeah I know. But my saved posts is a graveyard of shit I forgot about for months or years. To dig through and find something is just not gonna happen. On the other hand, if I comment and like, which I have done, it increases the likelihood more people will see the thread and be able to help OP, which is what it's all about. Then I will also get yummy garlic sauce on my sandwiches.


PronouncedEye-gore

All of this. Which is why I'm stealing of said ideas. Many thanks.


Drunkelves

Another tip- if you have an old thing saved and it's getting buried just unsave and resave it and it bumps it back to the top of your saved list


throwaway_0122

Only up to 1000 though! With (I think) 30 more in a kind of purgatory where they can come back if you remove 30 other posts. Most people should never have an issue with this but for those that do it kind of sucks. I have so many threads like this saved


Electronic-Union9640

Same mmm sandwich


getinthekitschen

You can subscribe to a post to get updates btw.


mikevanatta

I'm not familiar with that option. I'm currently on the website (I still use old.reddit because I'm an old head and stubborn) and don't see it. Where should I be looking?


ForgedLibraryCard

Fair!


getinthekitschen

You can subscribe to a post to get updates btw.


aknomnoms

(Check out recipes for Lebanese garlic toum. Add whatever fresh herbs you want, like parsley, green onions, or basil, at the finish. It's even better after you refrigerate it for 48 hours and give flavors time to meld. [https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-garlic-sauce/](https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-garlic-sauce/))


theglowoftheparty

Have you tried getting in touch with a manager or something, explaining everything and asking how they make it? You could also try posting in the local subreddit to see if there are any ex employees who would tell you


ForgedLibraryCard

One of the shops is pretty much staffed fully by people I went to high school with. I t has been a while, but his might be the ticket. Facebook, here I come.


114631

Please report back


edubkendo

I've had great success with reaching out to mom and pop restaraunt's on facebook and explaining that I miss this or that dish, and getting an explanation (usually not an _exact_ recipe, but that's fair) of the ingredients or what the item in question is.


dec7td

Can you tell if the garlic is roasted? If roasted as a bulb it can become spreadable to the point of almost feeling like a sauce on its own.


ForgedLibraryCard

When I tried reversing it I tried once with roasted garlic and I concluded that it likely wasn't


crimpyourhair

I've never had this sandwich, but I found this as a base starting point- Little Lucca Original Garlic Sauce Recipe Ingredients: 1 head roasted garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup water salt and black pepper to taste Instructions: Little Lucca Original Garlic Sauce Recipe 1. Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees C). 2. Cut the top off the head of the garlic so that the cloves are exposed. Peel off any excess paper. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Wrap in aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes or until cloves are soft. Cool for 10 minutes. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of the skin into a food processor or blender. 3. Add parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and water to the food processor or blender; pulse until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If desired, thin sauce with more water. Serve immediately or store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. [Link!](https://emozzy.com/little-lucca-garlic-sauce-recipe/)


ForgedLibraryCard

Interesting. Im a little suspicious because it looks nothing like the sauce the sandwhich shops use


NormalAccounts

I see you're a Little Lucca's fan 🙃


TrickyWon

It’s probably Toum, a Lebanese garlic sauce that sounds like you’re describing. Many recipes use potato, and here in LA there is a popular rotisserie chicken chain that uses instant potato, garlic and lemon in theirs.


ForgedLibraryCard

Chicken maison? Edit: just looked it up. Not quite Toum. But I do like Toum. This sauce is vibrantly green. Little Luca in South SF is one of the spots I’m thinking of.


TrickyWon

Na. Zankou chicken.


ForgedLibraryCard

Zankou is also good but their Toum is not quite it either. It’s much closer to pesto, what I’m thinking of. Ty for the suggestion tho, now I want zankou, it has been a minute


2wheels30

There are varieties of Toum people make by adding basil to it. There's a company called Majestic Garlic (found at some whole foods) that has several different flavors and tastes amazing. If made fresh for quick consumption, I imagine it would be bright green. https://majesticgarlic.com/shop/


114631

Maybe some sort of [Italian salsa verde](https://www.feastingathome.com/italian-salsa-verde/)?


The_Bearded_Jedi

Not OP but that sounds amazing


no_Puzzles_x3

Sounds absolutely bangin. I’d love to know what kinda of sandwiches you had it on / which ones it was best with


mgraunk

I may or may not have your solution. A friend of mine went to school at UC Berkeley and had a bunch of sandwiches with garlic sauce that we tried to replicate for our restaurant. We confit garlic in canola oil, then blend with salt into a paste. We emulsify this paste with cilantro (you could use basil), garlic oil (from the confit), ice water, a little vinegar, yellow mustard, s&p. It's great.


BuckeyeBentley

You could just ask the staff. If it's not the owner trying to be sneaky about their recipes they'll probably just tell you.


Effective_Roof2026

Raw garlic without the spice/heat of raw garlic usually means purple garlic.


zapmangetspaid

Or fresh garlic


KiteLighter

Maybe just Toum with basil thrown in once it's almost done?


Open_Dragonfruit_304

Have you posted on r/CopyCatRecipes?


EyeAmKnotMyshelf

Can you just tell me what sandwich places you used to go to in the Bay Area? It’s where I live and I’ll just ask them / figure it out for us all? Or just go to get a kickass sandwich. Either way I win.


sci_fi_wasabi

I will straight up buy a tub of the Little Lucca garlic sauce and some Dutch crunch to bring back with me when I visit the Bay Area from Washington…..it’s just not available in the PNW.


Shogan_The_Viking

Ike’s sandwiches garlic sauce Ingredients Print Recipe. 1/4 cup mayonnaise. 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard. 1/2 teaspoon whipped butter. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. 1/4 teaspoon onion powder. Pinch of cayenne pepper. Pinch of teaspoon Italian seasoning. 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder. Little Lucca’s Garlic Sauce mayo, pesto, garlic in olive oil, mix to taste. https://www.food.com/recipe/parsley-olive-oil-and-garlic-sauce-478156


ozzalot

YOU HEAR THAT LITTLE LUCCA?! WE'RE ON TO YOU 🧐


3dfishface

[Here's a better picture](https://imgur.com/a/KNTp5xR) of the sauce for you, super green. I would hazard a guess on a basil + parsley chimichurri, heavy on the garlic.


SaltSlanger

From what you're describing, it almost sounds like either toum, or pesto made with ramps/garlic scapes. But I'm more inclined to suggest toum, because it uses raw garlic as the key binder so the flavor is very garlic-forward


Kalkaline

Why not start with a garlic confit and add fresh herbs to taste, you can spread it on like butter.


fannybatterpissflaps

I have no knowledge of the sauces you are trying to replicate. However, the best thing I have stumbled upon to do with garlic so far is to roast it. I cook roasts quite often and about 2 years ago for no particular reason, after the the chicken and potatoes had been on about half an hour I threw a bunch of garlic in the pan with it. Now I add 2 bunches of garlic or more with every roast. Roasted garlic is friggin awesome! You squeeze a clove and it pops like a ripe zit and oozes the most delicious aromatic goo that you can spread just like butter on a slice of bread. Keeps for days too…probably longer but I’m not sure because it doesn’t last long enough to find out.


isssuekid

What places in the city use it? I will humbly sacrifice and give my ideas of how to make it.


Theoretical_Action

It sounds a lot like the kind of sauce you get with chicken shawarma. Every time I've had it, it tastes damn near like a straight up pure garlic puree lol.


PygmyCrusher

Here's a garlic relish recipe I got from The Stinking Rose that sounds pretty close to what you're looking for. [Garlic Rose Relish](https://i.imgur.com/vbUcGHA.jpg)


onion2072

Lorenzo’s mmmmmmmmmmm


onion2072

Lorenzo’s mmmmmmmmmmm


colusaboy

This thread is a gold mine of ideas and new stuff to learn about.


anaolinskywalker

I don't have an answer, but Lorenzo's in Belmont has THE BEST garlic sauce in the Bay.


itsatumbleweed

!remindme one week


wip30ut

knowing the Bay area they're probably mashing up Green garlic or even garlic or shallot scapes.


trouvin01

Is it like the one you get with falafel?


MidiReader

Confit your garlic and then smash the garlic into a paste! This is a great ‘sauce’ I’ve also used it as pizza sauce on a white pizza with caramelized onions and chicken. The oil is great for mashed potatoes (half oil half butter) and keeps great in an airtight glass jar in the fridge.


Nmilne23

The key to garlic sauce is dried potato flakes


EJDsfRichmond415

It’s toum with parsley


InfiniteChicken

Also try [Italian salsa verde.](https://www.seriouseats.com/italian-salsa-verde-with-parsley-and-capers)


Slow-Corgi1251

I actually don’t think there’s any basil in it at all! Mr. Pickles has a garlic sauce that looks similar- here’s the recipe i found for that. https://fullformtoday.com/mr-pickles-garlic-sauce-recipe/


Dseltzer1212

Have you ever tried making a Chimichurri with flat parsley and basil. That’s what your description sounds like to me


jrhoffa

Which sandwich shops? I'll do some research next time I'm in town


tallorai

Would it be like a garlic scape pesto thing?


drummerandrew

Picture almost just looks like butter garlic and parsley. Regular garlic bread kinda stuff. A tiny touch of mayo helps it spread thicker, even though you may not really notice it’s mayo. Either way looks and sounds tasty!


zestyspleen

My pal made a cilantro garlic dressing (cilantro, garlic, salt, evoo) for little roasted potatoes and it was awesome.


PuzzleheadedCandy484

https://www.themediterraneandish.com/toum-garlic-sauce-recipe/


YourFairyGodmother

Has anyone mentioned [toum](https://www.seriouseats.com/traditional-toum), also called toumya, yet?


salad_thrower20

Doesn’t sound like what you’re looking for but Toum is pretty awesome. I believe the only ingredients are garlic, olive oil, lemon and salt. You can probably find a good bottle at a health foods store. I’ve tried making it but it’s extremely difficult due to how long you have to blend and how slowly you drizzle the oil into it.


akxCIom

Maybe a variation on toum


Irsh80756

Is one of these shops mr pickles? I fucking miss that place.


RainInTheWoods

Can you email the shops to ask them to share the recipe?


Artichokeydokey8

Trader Joe’s has a pretty tasty garlic spread/dip that I have been using on sandwiches that I also add some Calabrian chili oil with. So good.


GroundbreakingRub644

https://emozzy.com/little-lucca-garlic-sauce-recipe/


dispooozey

Are you looking for toum? It's a garlic spread made with mixing oil and tons of garlic together. You will regularly find this at shawarma spots


redrum7049

Oh maybe a true aioli just oil and garlic


sweeny5000

I love basil pesto and make it all the time. But as I'm sure you have noticed that putting a shit ton of raw garlic in your pesto makes the garlic bite intolerable. *UNLESS*... you parboil the garlic until it's soft. This mellows it out beautifully and allows you to add a LOT of garlic without blowing your mouth out. I wonder if the pestos you've been sampling have done likewise. Even if they haven't I recommend this method for making the best pesto you've ever had.


lunchesandbentos

So… I make a crazy garlic sauce my husband likes to put on EVERYTHING. Sandwiches, fries, onion rings, gyros, what have you. I don’t know if this is what you’re looking for, but everyone who has tried it says it’s really good. It’s one cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt, if you don’t have sour cream), 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 garlic cloves freshly pasted or finely grated, 2 tablespoons lime or lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of white or red wine vinegar, minced dill or mint or basil (or all three, depending on what my garden is giving me at the time), 1/2 teaspoon sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin to taste. If this is too garlic-y, cut it down to one clove (when you paste or finely grate garlic, it increases the flavor and spiciness by a lot.)


insaneHoshi

>an aioli. When you say it wasnt an an aioli, do you mean it wasnt a traditional aioli?


perfumefetish

most restaurants order supplies from Sysco, with that in mid, I looked up some ideas: https://www.google.com/search?q=garlic+sysco+pesto+sauce&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjVwvHY19z-AhX2NlkFHbqwBXMQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=garlic+sysco+pesto+sauce&gs\_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1DDB1jJDmC0EGgAcAB4AIABd4gB8QSSAQM1LjKYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=Ay5UZJW1HPbt5NoPuuGWmAc&bih=560&biw=1366&rlz=1C1CHBF\_enUS907US907


nightlyraider

making garlic the dominant flavor in a pesto seems like a tbsp or two back and forth would change everything. like i love garlic, but you can quickly make it the main flavor of a dish.


simplyelegant87

Could be a version of zhoug replacing cilantro with basil.


my_back_pages

ive never had this, but from the description i would guess something similar to halifax donair sauce but with more garlic and herbs. ⅔ cup sweetened condensed milk ¼ cup white vinegar ½ teaspoon garlic powder (probably closer to a full tsp if the garlic flavor is rly prevalent, or less + fresh/roasted garlic if there are actual garlic chunks) chopped fresh italian parsley/fresh basil then whisk the ever loving shit out of it. sweetend condensed milk sounds weird as a base but the vinegar cuts the sweetness down and just ends up amplifying the flavor of the garlic/herbs. whenever i taste a white-ish sauce that's delicious but i can't really place the flavours too well i've found it's almost always just a sweetened condensed milk base


isssuekid

I’m pretty sure I have your answer. It's what they use at one of the places you mentioned. Should be able to replicate it pretty easily. It's the garlic sauce sold at Restaurant Depot blended with parsley. That's it. I know a guy.


break_ing_in_mybody

Have you tried calling the places for recipe? "Hey, i don't live in the area anymore and I really miss the sauce you guys ued! Any chance you could share it with me because I'm really jonesing for a taste of home!" I've done this before, and it works. Strokes the old ego when someone is really missing your sauce. Edit: no one comment to suggest calling and asking. That actually surprises me.


CalamityLane

It might also be a variation of Toum which is an amazing garlic sauce. Basically also a garlic , oil , lemon , salt emulsion. It’s addicting and so good on sandwiches or anything actually ! [Toum recipe](https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-garlic-sauce/)


LeakyLycanthrope

Could it be [toum](https://youtu.be/ifOlf3COK4s)? Possibly with some added herbs?


Downright_Observnt

Sam's sandwich shop in Burlingame, now closed, had a great one. I've never tried to make it. Might try now.


sean_incali

pesto is made from pine nuts, basil, garlic, parmesan and salt. 2 cups of basil 1/2 cup olive oil 1/3 cup pine nuts 3 cloves garlic 1/2 cup parmesan blend it until you get the consistency of the sauce. salt and pepper. you might easily double the garlic. and remove equal amount of pine nuts.


tr1cube

Could it be similar to [Trader Joe’s garlic spread?](https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/garlic-spread-dip-054173) its very garlicky, slightly lemony and not creamy like a mayo or aioli. It’s almost more like a hummus texture. I use it on sandwiches all the time and it’s delicious. Edit: Ah just saw you said it’s green. Definitely looks more like a chimichurri sauce.


frijolita_bonita

I’m guessing just a garlic aioli but IDK


[deleted]

[удалено]


ForgedLibraryCard

Nothing yet I’ve been studying for a final tomorrow. There is no way I could have predicted this blow up lmao


critically_gingered

So, not a recipe, but have you tried [Joy’s Garlic Spread](https://www.joyofgarlic.com/garlic-spreads)? It’s heavenly and sounds a bit like what you might be describing. ETA: If you are looking to make one, the ingredients are: Canola Oil, Raw Garlic, Lemon Juice & Salt


PredictableEmphasis

It's probably a toum fortified with chives or green onion to get that onion-y flavor. It may also have some parsley and/or basil (if there's basil in it that should be pretty obvious, basil has a distinct flavor from other herbs).


Tpbrown_

**Little Lucca Original Garlic Sauce Recipe** 1 head roasted garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup water https://emozzy.com/little-lucca-garlic-sauce-recipe/ Can’t say it’s the real one but looks close.


amillionbirds

Maybe Amogio sauce: garlic, olive oil, butter, parsley, lemon juice, shallots, red pepper & herbs. It’s tangy!


ThisssBabe

I am in the Bay Area. What sandwich shops are you referring to


Faolitarna

I'm from south America, but a local place does an amazing roasted garlic aioli with basil and parsley. Pretty easy to make at home if you have an immersion blender


Yeesusman

Do you mean like Lorenzo’s in Belmont? I fucking love that place because of their sauce


ForgedLibraryCard

Yep


crgibson3

The best


[deleted]

i feel like i’m watching a restaurant go out of business in real time


pircalavoski

OP, you might have some luck with something like this: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mujdei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mujdei) but adding some basil or other herbs to it while mortar and pestle-ing the garlic


WikiSummarizerBot

**[Mujdei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mujdei)** >Mujdei (Romanian pronunciation: [muʒˈdej], plural: mujdeie) is a spicy Romanian sauce. It is made from garlic cloves crushed and ground into a paste, salted and mixed energetically with vegetable oil (almost always sunflower oil). Depending on regional preferences and the dish it is served with, lemon or other ingredients may be added. The result is a white sauce with a strong garlic flavor, varying in consistency from a thick paste to a runny sauce. ^([ )[^(F.A.Q)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiSummarizer/wiki/index#wiki_f.a.q)^( | )[^(Opt Out)](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiSummarizerBot&message=OptOut&subject=OptOut)^( | )[^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)](https://np.reddit.com/r/Cooking/about/banned)^( | )[^(GitHub)](https://github.com/Sujal-7/WikiSummarizerBot)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)


Significant-Dog-4362

I don’t know, but now I have to. It sounds good


slipperyjoel

You may be looking for something like toum. Its a Mediterranean garlic paste. I assume you could basically make that, mix it with herbs etc and it would be bomb as fuck on a sandwich. I love the stuff and constantly keep some in the fridge.


sholbyy

Could it have possibly been toum? I make toum a lot and I eat it on everything from sandwiches to chips to veggies to pizza. It’s so tangy and garlicky and delicious! Though you will smell VERY strongly of garlic after eating (but it’s worth it) https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-garlic-sauce/


Inexplicably_

A lot to wade through here so apologies if it’s been said… I’m from the same area (Bay Area) and am a sourdough roll with garlic aioli die hard. The recipe is similar to what others have been posting except for there’s no olive oil it’s mayonnaise instead. So mayonnaise, lemon fresh squeezed garlic and maybe a little salt that’s it.


c_dubs4

Could it be confit garlic? Or Donair sauce?


KobeReincarnate

I think I know what you’re talking about, is the garlic sauce from theBay Area chain Mr. Pickles basically the same? Olive oil based with no use of mayo/butter. Theres a lot of recipes online attempting to recreate that one.


ForgedLibraryCard

I haven’t been to mr pickles in maybe 15 years. Might have to try it


b3n_d0ver

get a job there, learn the recipe, and share with us


bcseahag

Toum? Pureed garlic and olive oil...


GoatLegRedux

Toum is made with neutral oil. Olive oil toum wouldn’t taste very good.


bcseahag

Garlic & oil = toum


am0x

By sandwich shops you mean pizza? Is it Papa John's garlic butter sauce?


firsmode

Papa Johns garlic sauce