Show me someone who doesn’t like a quality sandwich and I’ll show you someone living an incomplete life—most likely nowhere near Seaside. It’s there, within range of north Monterey and Sand City, that a network of unique, locally-owned spots offer a savory range of bread-wrapped treasures—often at very reasonable prices.

The Weekly has compiled a list of these outlets—and selected the top three tastiest—as a stroke of indulgence, a solemn public duty, and an invitation/ inspiration for fellow sandwich epicures. (Note: This catalog is not meant to be exhaustive.)

Time to eat.

Randy’s: 193 10th St., Suite D, Monterey, 375-9161. When does a local secret become an institution? When it starts pumping out up to 400 well-stuffed sandwiches a day. The customers that form the line that often leaks into the street come for the Godfather (every Italian meat plus cheese, balsamic vinegar and oil, $4) and daily specials like tri-tip ($4.50), which take minutes to make and a long lunch to take down.

Garden Health & Fitness: 2000 Garden Rd., Monterey, 643-9030. Tasty fresh specials rotate across the dry erase board that hangs in the kitchen. The chefs want you to know Garden can stand alone as a lunch spot, and warm and cold options like the green chile-chicken breast ($4.95) and turkey-and-swiss on rye ($4.50) reflect that.

Jersey Subs: 832 Playa Ave., Sand City, 899-7678. (Not to be confused with Jerseys Monterey on Cannery Row.) If the grub is good enough, people will line up for it. Such is life at Sand City’s top spot for five- to 12-inch versions of a California Club ($4.75-$8.95), hot pastrami or Jersey Original hoagie.

Bi Rite Market: 250 Casa Verde Way, Monterey, 372-6824. Tong out your choice of five different rolls and worry not about going wrong with meatball, sausage, turkey, salami or roast beef ($5.25). Or hit Bi Rite Friday for the fried squid sandwich ($6.99).

Del Monte Café: 1642 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside, 394-7851. While this Cali-downhome café has plenty of choices, the sandwiches, particularly the turkey avocado melt, the Reuben melt, or anything on special (see the chalkboard out front), are greasy but delicious, substantial but less than $8 with fries or salad.

La Tortuga Tortería: 1257 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, 394-8380. Big and authentic, the Mexican-style grilled tortas at this spot never disappoint even the pickiest torta snobs. While most of the 20-plus torta choices come with an awesome creeping heat, the al pastor (seasoned pork, $4.71)—offered on menu as a burrito—brings the finest flavor kick, its taste offset by refreshing pineapple.

Ferdi’s: 740 Broadway Ave., Seaside, 394-2244. Here, delicious southern-style sandwiches like the three sausage po’ boy ($6.50) are familiar and good. The “mufalata” ($4.50/four-inch; $5.75/six-inch), however, is less familiar and mo’ better: the fresh ham and salami make it good, but the olive spread, ground cheese and po’ boy-style bread make it very good.

Valnizza’s Market: 401 Ocean Ave., Monterey, 655-1010. This convenience store-deli, an NPS standby, has big sandwiches hot and cold, from rotisserie turkey to chicken salad. The creative pesto chicken ($5.99) can be a rewarding choice.

Curly’s: 1107 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, 394-7274. Many come for the ribs and chicken, but the sandwiches rival any in the area code. Simple, sure-fire satisfaction comes with a dripping pork, chicken or tri-tip sandwich ($6.05). Sure-fire ecstasy comes by adding sweet cole slaw.

Mal’s Market: 1264 Noche Buena St., Seaside, 394-1881. This longtime hilltop establishment has everything you need on shelves and sandwiches—and stuff like Boar’s Head ham, roast beef, turkey, bacon and swiss even show up on the same sandwich. It’s called the Bomber ($4.25/half; $7.50/whole), one of many hot, cold or breakfast sandwiches.

Paris Bakery: 1234 Broadway Ave., 394-7798. Fresh baked is only the beginning. Hint: when the ham and cheese croissant is that good, a midday version of the same with lettuce, tomato and mayo on either petit pain ($3.25), francesca ($4.75) or, yes, a croissant ($4.25) is going to be a bargain.

The Medal Round: Given the deep field, the fact that both judges returned votes for the same top three sandwich spots was surprising—and indicative of how good those three spots are. Among them, some similarities are apparent: Each can do drippy and fresh with the best of ‘em. Each brings big size for $6 or less. And each is independent and one-of-a-kind in these parts. Randy’s (on the powerful clout of the Godfather) and the Tortuga (on the all-around excellence of so many real flavors) took one silver and one bronze apiece. Curly’s—the same sweet, smoky Curly’s that can trigger a saliva flashflood on scent—earned the Weekly’s highest northside sando distinction (go for the pork). Lunch can’t come quickly enough.