SPRINGFIELD – A real test of every restaurant is how they can re-imagine a standard – what can they bring to a dish to make it their own.  

A turkey sandwich is a great example. The world is full of turkey sandwiches. The average sandwich is sliced turkey deli meat, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.  It’s an almost universally accepted recipe.

Perhaps the bread or bun is different, but not much else.

A Le Cordon Bleu trained chef operates the Souper Sweet Sandwich Shop at 929 Belmont Ave. One would expect something extra and one does get it there.

I’m a huge fan of the traditional turkey dinner and the subsequent flavor of the turkey sandwich that follow such a meal. There is a huge difference in taste between a fresh roasted turkey and turkey from the deli.

You can taste this difference when you order the shop’s “The New Englander.” Like many of their other offerings, this sandwich is served warm, having gone through a Panini press and is fresh made to order.

The sandwich is made from Maple brined breast of turkey, house made cranberry relish, caramelized apples, sharp cheddar cheese and arugula.

I’ve had my share of turkey sandwiches and among my favorite is the “Gobbler” from WaWa, the convenience store/fast food take-out places located in the Mid-Atlantic states. The “Gobbler” tries to recreate a turkey dinner with deli meat, cranberry sauce, gravy and stuffing between slices of bread. It’s quite good.

What the Souper Sweet Sandwich Shop’s The New Englander” does is equally delicious, but a much higher end product. The turkey is the base of the sandwich and the fact it is freshly roasted, brined turkey puts it a cut above other sandwiches.

The condiments evoke a New England autumn. The cranberry relish – again freshly made, not store-bought – the sharp cheese and the caramelized apples are all flavors one associates with this part of the country.

I loved the sandwich. All of the flavors compliment one another perfectly.

The size is considerable. It would be easy for this sandwich to be shared between two people. If not one could easily eat half now, and half for a later meal.

The Souper Sweet Sandwich Shop is another example of a great independent place to grab a superior meal.  

The shop is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesday it’s open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with “Hump Wednesday” specials.

For more information and to see the shop’s full menus, go to www.soupersweetsandwichshop.com.