Michael Voltaggio opens sandwich shop Ink Sack

Michael Voltaggio is making sandwiches. In between trying to open his Melrose Avenue restaurant and publishing a cookbook, the "Top Chef" winner has quietly and quickly been working on his newly debuted (as in, it's open today) sandwich shop.

It's called Ink Sack. And despite the slightly queasy-making name, the menu will be a siren call to anyone looking for lunch on the stretch of Melrose that is lacking in snacks. Voltaggio took over the space that formerly housed churro maker Xooro, a few doors down from his planned restaurant, Ink, which he says will open in mid-September.

On Ink Sack's menu are several sandwiches priced at $4 to $6, including: cold fried chicken with house-made ranch dressing and Gindo's Spice of Life; spicy tuna with miso-cured albacore and sriracha mayo; bahn mi with pork cheek and chicharrones; the Jose Andres (a.k.a. the Spanish Godfather), which is serrano ham, chorizo, lomo and Manchego cheese; the C.L.T, with chicken liver mousse, curried chicken skin, lettuce and tomato; maple-pepper turkey; and the beef tongue Reuben. There's also salt-and-vinegar and Maryland crab potato chips, compressed watermelon, and ice cream sandwiches.

Ink Sack is open Wednesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 8360 Melrose Ave., No. 107, Los Angeles.

For more photos of Ink Sack and the forthcoming Ink, see the jump.