The ARAM Sandwich

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• I understand the word "ARAM" probably comes from an area of Syria called "TELL ARAM" in Syria. But that is unconfirmed.

• Aram in Persian means slow, lavash also is Persian bread: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavash

• Thanks for the above suggestions!

• Dear Armenian Kitchen, I was swirling my glass French Pinot Noir, when I thought of fond memories of my Kitchen upbringing that spanned 20years+. I later found my self on you page asking where the name Aram sandwich came from. The truth of this topic: When I was a young boy my 1st job was for an Armenian Gourmet restaurant and coffee shop in San Francisco California located on Chestnut st. The name of the Restaurant was the "CARAVANSARY" I was 15 years old when I first started there the date was 1973. The Chef of the Restaurant was Setrak Indijian and his Co.Owner was Khajag Sarkissian who between the two partners Khajag had the first son whom was named ARAM.. thus the sandwich name. Those days, I dont recall pliable Lavosh like they have these days, AKMAK bakery in (I believe) Fresno Calif. made the original Lavosh that was used for the ARAM sandwich. Anyway.. hopefully you can pass this truth on so that the world who has utilized this sandwich for generations shall know where the "Aram Sandwich came from. Sincerely, Vincent Venenciano.

  • Actually it's Setrak Injaian.

  • ...you forgot Ortrun

  • Actually my brother, Sevag Injaian, was born first in 1971 but my dad wanted to honor khajag and named the sandwich after Aram who was just born.

  • I used to buy aram sandwiches from that deli! No cracker bread in west Texas so I've had to substitute. But I make my own version. I lived and worked in the Marina district after I graduated from high school.

• Dear Vincent,
  Thank you so much for your explanation of how the Aram sandwich got its name!
  robyn@thearmeniankitchen.com

• Vincent is correct. My father Setrak Injaian did invent the Aram Sandwich for my Uncle Khajag's son which was just born.

• I know the place well. A caterer by the name Olivia used to get her Aram sandwiches from there.

• Growing up in SF, I used to love eating those sandwiches. What was in the spread they used? I remember there being some texture in it so it couldn't have been straight cream cheese, could it? Thanks!

  • The cream cheese had herbs in it. His herb of choice was dill most of the time, but depending on the meat he would choose accordingly.

• I grew up in the Bay Area and remember Caravansary fondly. We often ate there when we went into the City to shop. They served a wonderful spiced minced meat pie with pine nuts that was round and encased in dough. It was fabulous! I would love to know how to make it!

  • Hi Alison, a recipe will be forthcoming. I hope it will be reminiscent of the one you've described!

  • Thanks, Robyn! I'm looking forward to trying it. It was a wonderful dish

• I have been looking for this site for years! The Caravansary, both on Chestnut and Sutter, were my favorite restaurants. I started going to the Chestnut location I think 1973 or 74 and probably ate there once a week. My favorites were the chicken (as I recall, there were three rotating choices) and the lamb.
  I learned recently that there was a restaurant on Belden that was only a block from where I worked, but I did not know of it at the time. I also heard that the owner was sadly killed there in an accident.
  I have tried to find recipes to recreate my memorable meals at the Caravansary. The closest I have come is through Chef Robert in Southern California who did work at the Caravansary. He pointed me to a restaurant in Southern California, and their cookbook, that he thought was very similar. It was, but not the same.
  I would LOVE to have the original recipes from the Caravansary. My favorites were the marinated leg of lamb (I don’t recall what it was called), the chicken dishes (my favorite was the tabaka, although that was long ago and the name may be wrong), the hummus that was far superior to anything I have had since, and the tabbouleh. Was a cookbook ever published?

  • Never having been to this establishment myself, I am asking family members in the Bay area for help. I await their response.

  • Update: In reference to whether or not a Caravansary cookbook exists, my Bay area family does not know. A Google search didn't reveal anything either. So sorry!

  • I've searched myself but have found nothing. I had a hope that maybe someone out there that had worked there over the years might have something. Oh well.......thanks. I shall be trying the recipes here. Thanks for them!
    Mark