Shorty’s brings ambitious panini-style sandwiches to Ely

What the reviews suggest

Shorty’s stands out in Ely’s restaurant listings with a 4.9 Google rating from 42 reviews. That is a small sample compared with a long-established restaurant, but the feedback supplied here is unusually consistent: diners describe substantial sandwiches, well-balanced fillings and food that exceeds their expectations for a roadside stop.

The operation is identified by reviewers as a food truck, while its moderate price classification suggests something more considered than a basic grab-and-go sandwich counter. Public comments repeatedly focus on the care put into each sandwich, from toasted bread and fresh produce to cheeses, cured meats, dressings and less predictable accents.

Sandwiches with layers

The Turkey Pesto is one of the clearest recurring recommendations. Reviewers call it flavorful and generous, with one account praising the contrast between a panini-toasted exterior and a soft interior. Fresh, thick tomato slices and a properly gooey texture also earned attention. Those details suggest that Shorty’s appeal rests as much on execution as on the ingredient list.

The Brutus receives similarly strong feedback. One diner described it as perfectly cooked and seasoned, while another singled out its layered flavors, candied nuts and vinaigrette, noting that the proportions worked together. The combination sounds more ambitious than a conventional meat-and-cheese sandwich without becoming needlessly elaborate.

Other named orders broaden the picture. The Louie drew praise for its combination of fontina, mortadella and coppa. The T-Bird was described as large and excellent, and even a grilled cheese impressed a reviewer who said that style of sandwich was not normally a favorite. Those dishes appear only once in the supplied comments, so they carry less evidence than the Turkey Pesto or Brutus, but they reinforce the overall pattern.

Soup on the side

Several reviews mention that sandwiches come with a cup of soup. That accompaniment seems to be part of the experience rather than an afterthought. One diner enjoyed it even on a hot summer day, and another specifically praised a potato soup. Since menus and daily offerings can change, the exact soup should not be assumed, but the recurring mention adds value to an otherwise sandwich-focused meal.

Portion size also appears to be a strength. The Turkey Pesto and T-Bird were both characterized as large, making Shorty’s a plausible lunch stop for road trippers or travelers passing through Ely. Fresh produce, toasted bread and carefully proportioned fillings are the most reliable themes across the feedback.

Before making the stop

The main caution comes from one review reporting that Shorty’s offered nothing to drink. That may have been situational, but diners may want to bring a beverage or confirm current options. The food-truck format can also mean less predictability than a conventional dining room, so checking current location and operating details would be sensible.

Taken together, the rating and reviews make Shorty’s one of Ely’s more compelling casual lunch prospects. The Brutus and Turkey Pesto have the strongest repeat support, while the included soup and generous portions help distinguish the experience.