Real Twin Peaks 2024 – The Best Damn Sandwich I Ever Ate

During the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event, I was delighted to see several shops and restaurants in Snoqualmie Valley offer a variety of unique Twin Peaks-themed products and delicious specials. The recently opened Falling River Meats in North Bend, Washington had one of my favorites – a nod to an iconic moment between the Brothers Horne from episode 1.002.

FALLING RIVER MEATS

Falling River Meats, located at 108 West North Bend Way, is a new butcher shop and restaurant that takes pride in selling ethically raised meat in Snoqualmie Valley. Darron and Christeena Mazolf opened the location on October 3, 2023 which is adjacent to Volition Brewing Company.

The Mazolfs began farming on the outskirts of Redmond several years ago. Since 2014, they have advocated for local sustainable meats in the Puget Sound region.

“We first started our family of businesses with Porter’s Pride, our pet food business, using local meats,” explained Christeena to King County Green on November 30, 2023. “Then Darron continued doing custom processing for local farms as a fourth-generation butcher under his father’s business. Around 2015, we started raising more animals and I was on the board of SnoValley Tilth, heading the livestock committee. Talking to other livestock farmers it became really apparent that the biggest challenge was getting animals processed and to market. We then opened our first butcher shop [Marzolf Meats outside City of Snohomish] and began building out processing facilities.”

While they also sell items weekly at the Ballard Farmers Market, their Falling River Meats gave the Marzolfs a way to have a consistent supply of meat while supporting smaller famers.

“One thing that I learned through farming is that when I was starting to engage with restaurants to see where I could move more meat, it became very apparent that I don’t grow enough – even though I had 60 pigs. That sounds like a lot to a small farmer, but that’s nothing compared to commercial farmer. I had 60 pigs, and I could not even sell to a taco truck who wanted 100 pounds of pork shoulder a week. I could not have ever courted that type of industry, or even tried to be partners with any type of restaurant in that sense.”

The couple hired Chef Justin Fitch, who previously worked in Oregon, Vermont and Georgia, to create a line of prepared sandwiches and salads, including vegan options.

BEST DAMN SANDWICH AT FALLING RIVER MEATS

For the weekend festivities, Falling River Meats advertised the Best Damn Sandwich.

The name comes from Jerry Horne’s dialogue to his brother Ben in episode 1.002. Jerry had just returned from Paris, eager to share his latest culinary find.

WAS IT REALLY THE BEST DAMN SANDWICH I EVER ATE?

I stopped by the location in between the Fun Facts About Twin Peaks Locations and Conversation with Jeff Moore panels on Friday, February 23. I needed something to eat, and upon seeing the massive foot-long sandwich, I knew I had to try it.

The shop typically carries The Peaker, which is a full Macrina baguette, European butter and double cream Brie, cracked smoked pepper and a thin layer of Olympia Provisions Sweetheart Ham.

I opted for the sandwich without the ham. I wanted to taste the “Parisian treat” that Jerry Horne so adored.

After watching Chef Justin meticulously lay down cut slices of Brie and carefully wrapping the sandwich in paper, I set out across the street to Friends & Co. Ice Cream to prepare for the Twin Peaks Props panel. One bite was all it took. It was delicious! The combination of the bread with the butter and Brie was perfect. No wonder Jerry loved it.

Contrary to my social posts (in which I jokingly referenced Jerry Horne’s dialogue), I did not eat four of these every day. I continued, however, nibbling on the sandwich throughout the rest of the afternoon.

Vinnie Guidera joined me outside to behold this magnificent treat. I even shared a bite with fellow Twin Peaks fan who lives across the pond, Martin Beaverhousen, who snapped this photo.

Fellow Bookhouse Boy Aaron Cohen joined in the fun after seeing image of this sandwich. We both LOVED every bite.

But here’s an interesting aside – Jerry Horne’s baguette doesn’t appear in the original script written by David Lynch and Mark Frost.

THE MISSING BAGUETTE WITH BRIE AND BUTTER

The first draft for episode 1.002  was written on August 2, 1989, with two revisions that followed – August 10 (Blue pages) and August 11 (Revised-Revised Blue pages). The Lynch-directed episode was the last to be shot from season one, with December 4  being the first day the cameras rolled for the episode. I’ve been unable to confirm what date the Horne’s dining room scene was shot between it was most likely between Dec. 4-12, 1989.

The scripted episode opens on an establishing shot for The Great Northern Hotel.

FADE IN:
1. EXT. GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL – EVENING Establish.

It’s unclear if it was this establishing shot looked like one used in Episode 2.004 or if it was something else. Either way, the scene doesn’t appear in the broadcast version. In fact, Jerry Horne is already in the room when the episode starts.

2. INT. HORNE RESIDENCE WING – EVENING

JERRY HORNE sits before a roaring fireplace, tumbler of bourbon in hand, eating nuts compulsively from a giant bowl while rapidly adding figures on a large computer while scores of numbers flash up and down on the large computer monitor, all the while talking into a headset phone receiver in a melange of Icelandic and English.

In another part of the spacious room, the Horne family sits quietly around the dinner table. AUDREY HORNE plays listlessly with her food. A NURSE helps JOHNNY-still-wearing-his-Indian-headress-HORNE eat, while MRS. HORNE stares at her full plate. For no discernible reason, Johnny bursts into tears. The Nurse comforts him and he starts to eat again. In spite of her feigned indifference, a small, sad tear slips down Audrey’s cheek as she watches her brother.

David Lynch is famous for making last minute changes to scripts, even while on set. For example, in Twin Peaks Season 3, the call Sheriff Frank Truman placed to his brother Harry was a last minute addition. There are countless other examples. Based on how different the broadcasted version appears, one assumes the baguette scene with Jerry and Ben was added the day of shooting.

JERRY
No, no, no, not in my room. In here. in here.

BENJAMIN
Jerry, back from Paris?

JERRY
Ben, what a nightmare. Right there, no, no, right there. What is it with you guys?
I’ve got a sandwich in there, I want all those bags opened. We’re looking until we find it.

Who played these Great Northern Hotel staff members? It’s one mystery I’d love to solve. The background actors throughout the show are a delight to watch.

JERRY
[To Audrey Horne]
Hey, Audrey, Uncle Jerry’s back. Heh.

[To Sylvia Horne]
Sylvia.

SYLVIA
Benjamin!

Clearly they kept the notion that Sylvia is repulsed by Ben’s brother.

JERRY
Okay, okay. Go on. Goodbye.

Brother Ben, this is the best damn sandwich I ever ate. It’s a baguette, with Brie and butter.

I had four of these damn things every day I was there. You got to try this thing. Here, go ahead, eat it, go ahead. Go ahead.

Look carefully for the Eiffel Tower charm hanging from Jerry’s bow tie – nice touch!

BENJAMIN
[Sniffs baguette]
Oh, yeah.

When Ben takes his first bite, notice how he is holding the baguette.

BENJAMIN
[Takes multiple bites]
Mm! This is incredible, Jer.

The camera cuts back to Ben eating and the baguette is flipped. This means there were multiple takes for this scene. This image of Ben is what I channeled when eating the Falling River Meats baguette.

You know what this reminds us of? You know who likes this? It reminds us of Ginny and Jenny’s down by the river. Hmm?

JERRY
By God, you’re right.

BENJAMIN
Am I right? Am I right? Hmm?

JERRY
Oh, no wonder.

BENJAMIN
Mm. Mm! Mm. Jer. Outside. Outside. Outside.

Always a pleasure.

Thank you Falling River Meats for a memorable meal during my visit to North Bend. It was, to paraphrase Mr. Horne, a pleasure.