Eatery serves up hefty slice of Wilco

Years ago, when the band was still opening for other acts, Wilco played a large concert hall in Detroit. A person in the front row was eating a sandwich, the paper wrapping unfurled along the lip of the stage, for easier handling. Jeff Tweedy, leader of the band, stopped in midsong. “Do I come to where you work and eat my lunch on your desk?” he asked. Then he stared at the man until the offending meal was removed from the stage.

So, what’s Tweedy going to do now in Toronto?

Sky Blue Sky Sandwich Co. just opened there, and every sandwich is named for a Wilco song or album. The name of the shop is the name of a recent Wilco album; the walls are adorned with Wilco posters; the speakers play Wilco songs. Start your day with a “Shot in the Arm” breakfast sandwich, then return for the “Mermaid Avenue” (marinated salmon filets “served on our zesty lemon white bread”), the “Kingpin” (“succulent, slow-roasted pulled pork”) or the “Red-Eyed and Blue” (mozzarella, tomato, wasabi mayonnaise).

The owner is a Canadian in his mid-30s named Chad Comfort. He said that while nothing on the signage or menu explicitly says “Wilco,” he has contacted the band’s management and informed them of the business. Wilco’s management acknowledged the band did give him its blessing and thought the idea “was funny and quite nice.”

If Comfort wants to expand his menu, we offer these Wilco-themed sandwiches suggestions:

• Cheeses, Etc.

• I Am Trying to Stop Your Heart

• A Muzzle of Peas

• Box Full of Lettuce

• When You Wake Up Feeling Like a Bagel

• Shot in the Parm

• Smoked Black Bull Nova Scotia Salmon on Rye

• Heavy Metal Drumstick

• BLT

• Hell is Mayo on Pastrami

• Forget the Flavor (tofu)

• Ashes of American Cheese