I know, it’s shocking that this time I actually got to the Lardo chefwich and am reporting back on it when there is more than 1 week of time left for you to go get it. When I saw on Instagram that Gregory Gourdet of Departure was collaborating on the next Chefwich, I knew I had to go try this one right way.

I adore GG- the creative things he’s doing with the Departure menu of modern Asian cuisine to make it a dining destination not just for the cool view and “eating in a spaceship in the future” feel inside a restaurant are spectacular. To begin your crush on GG, if you don’t already have one, check out this profile on Portland Monthly. PS, he was also voted Eater Portland’s Hottest Chef 2012. Whenever I see him at a festival doling out samples himself, I can’t even speak and only gaze at glow, both physical and metaphysically in the positive energy he passes on through his food and just his good cheer to everyone around him. Let me stop the fangirling and get to the food… and I will try not to think about how the one time I attempted to exchange words with him all I did was babble nonsensically.

The chefwich he created with Rick is a Chicken Tonkatsu yuzu jalapeno slaw, Japanese pickles, and sweet vinegar mayo. Part of the proceeds of this Chefwich, available until mid February, will benefit Our House of Portland.

As always, almost any sandwich can be made into a salad. In my case, although I enjoyed half of it in sandwich form, I admit that for the second half I discarded the bread to just enjoy the crispy chicken with the pickles and the bit of that mayo with its sour undertone unencumbered. Keep in mind that this is chicken, not the traditional pork that is used for Tonkatsu, in case you are comparing it to previous Tonkatsu. I was hoping that the yuzu jalapeno slaw would have had more spicyness to it, but settled for the strong citrus flavors it offers to cut the deep frying here. This is a sandwich enjoyed as fresh as possible.

I can’t leave without one last squee and share to try to convince you of the awesome of GG.