It’s tough to discern the decade in which Fatty’s Sandwich Shop was last decorated. Its retro décor harkens a time when vinyl was all the rage and rock and roll was king. Colorful murals, posters, and album covers color the walls and a surf board hangs from the rafters. Feel like staying a while? One corner is dedicated to a worn but comfortable sofa and chairs arranged to create a small conversation area.
Come as you are to Fatty’s. There appears to be zero dress code. Don’t be surprised by what you see people wearing.
If it all sounds terribly tacky, it is – in the best possible way. There is nothing pretentious about Fatty’s. In fact, the vibe is warm and welcoming, even if you’ve never visited Panama City Beach before.
The menu was more extensive than expected and it took a moment to realize that some of the sandwiches are named after songs. Fatty’s may not be considered health food, but we’ll admit — we had a tough time narrowing our list of favorites down to these few:
Whole Lotta Muffuletta
It might be best to begin with the bread used to make this delectable sandwich. Muffuletta is a type of Sicilian sesame bread popularized by Italian immigrants at the turn of the 20th century. Stacked on that distinctive, filling bread is ham, turkey, salami, provolone and mozzarella cheeses, mayo, and Fatty’s signature olive relish. Even if you can’t recall the name of the sandwich, we’re convinced you will remember the taste.
Midnight Toker
Okay, we’ll admit here that it was the name that caught our attention. If you can picture a toasted hoagie holding roast beef, ham, turkey, salami, pepperoni, bacon, cheese, tomato pesto, lettuce, and tomato, you have a pretty good sense of what this mammoth sandwich is like. It’s hard to believe that so many meats can be stacked onto one sandwich or that one person can eat the entire thing.
Reuben
Like every good sandwich shop, Fatty’s offers a Reuben. What makes theirs so unique is the special sauce that tops it it all off. Fatty’s Reuben includes lean pastrami, kraut, Swiss cheese, and the aforementioned special sauce, all grilled on swirled rye bread. Not a fan of pastrami? No problem. Order the Reuben with chicken or turkey instead.
Heart Stopper
We had to include this ever-popular sandwich, although the name says it all. Lovingly layered on toasted white bread is ham, turkey, salami, muenster and jalapeno havarti cheeses, mayo, and spice mustard. At first glance this sandwich doesn’t seem all that different from other menu options. Our best guess is that Fatty’s believes it’s white bread that will do you in.
Big Veggie Salad
We offer wild praise to anyone who can walk into Fatty’s, look at the tempting menu, and order this salad. If you do decide to go healthy though, you’ll hit the jackpot here with tomatoes, onions, olives, banana peppers, bell peppers, mushrooms, feta cheese, and croutons. Add grilled chicken or gyro meat and you have a proper meal.
The sandwich shop also features an impressive array of burgers, pizzas, wraps, and gyros. Perhaps it’s the yesteryear feel of Fatty’s, but it’s clear that their number one priority is to make sure no one leaves hungry.
One thing is for certain — you will likely leave happy. We’re not sure if it’s the colorful decor or relaxed atmosphere, but Fatty’s is the place to go when you want to take it easy.
Insider Tips
-Fatty’s offers plenty of food, but few tables on which to enjoy your feast. If possible, avoid standard meal times (often, arriving 30 minutes earlier than you would normally eat will help avoid the line).
-Sandwiches are huge. Make sure to look around at other tables before you order. You may just want to share a meal with a friend.