Seattle doesn’t have one reigning sandwich, but that hasn’t ruled out sandwich shops from taking root and becoming key players in our food scene…

Each time I return, for the mortadella sandwich with whipped ricotta and “pistachio jazz” at lunch or the black garlic knots at dinner, I marvel that the massive crowds of Seattle dining scenesters have yet to find it.

Jollibee, the largest Filipino fast-food chain, is opening at Rainier Valley Square in Mount Baker June 7. Known for its crispy Chickenjoy fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, and the iconic peach mango pie, Jollibee has amassed a cult following worldwide.

Diaspora Cafe Yaupon Espresso roasts, serves, and sells yaupon, the only native North American caffeinated plant — and along with it, a message of celebrating Indigeneity. The dried green leaves, roasted, ground, and brewed like espresso, produce a drink somewhere between coffee and tea.

In a city that has long held hope for great bagels, the population is finally able to consistently expect it — and that sets the bar higher for everyone.

In the Pacific Northwest, spring brings the early beginnings of new life. It is a fleeting yet fruitful season as the long, damp winters of the Northwest slowly warm up and dry out, yet embody the misty, lush terrain characteristic of the region. Greens begin to grow, halibut and salmon return to the rivers, lamb graze on fresh grass, and flowers bloom in abundance. This also means innovation in kitchen.