Chapter 3: Return Of The Sandwich

We are so back

Now you may be wondering, why did this post take 8 months? That is a very good question. Anyway

1: Sandoichi

This cute Japanese sandwich shop stands out on a corner of Oxford Street. While they’re known more for their sweet fruit and cream sandwiches, today we dove into their savoury selection. When we arrived at the packed location, we immediately worried they would have no seating for us, but alas, we were taken into a strange backroom-esque area behind the cafe (through an apartment hallway?) with harsh lighting and plastic plants. Luckily, the sandwiches were not quite as stagnant as the atmosphere.

(P.S. We lost our photos, so shoutout to Buzz magazine and TripAdvisor users for the pics!)

The buttermilk chicken set us off to a great start: the crowning star of any chicken sandwich is (spoiler) the chicken! It was juicy, crispy and full of flavour. The spicy mayo hot sauce balanced out the crisp tart slaw, and the avocado mayo brought a freshness to what could easily be a slop food. Peter had some personal gripes which you reader, may take with a pinch of salt: he thought the hot sauce wasn’t hot enough (he can handle a lot of spice), and he didn’t enjoy the texture of the bone and sinew left in the chicken (he has autism). For a steep $18 (plus hot sauce) this is a nice treat for a Sunday brunch, but maybe not your daily sandwich.

8.1

Next, the prawn Katsu! Potentially the first and last prawn sandwich on this list, we had to try if anything for the novelty. The sweet corn and tart yuzu mayo provided a tantalising contrast to the salty prawn and tangy mustard. The flavours all stand out on their own without overpowering the delicious patriotic prawn. Unfortunately, despite being the same price as the chicken, the portion of this sandwich was noticeably smaller. Since my prawn cravings are a black hole, I felt particularly unsatisfied at the lack of prawns in my tummy that day.

7.8

But all that said, if you’re looking for a one-off treat that is fresh, tasty, and fun, Sandoichi is definitely a spot to stumble into when the Sunday hangover hits.

2: Tiny’s

Now listen, this is kind of our spot. I’m sure many friends of Peter and I are sick of hearing about Tinys (or maybe you’re one of the lucky few we have taken to this establishment) but im sorry, I really must get this message across to the masses: I fucking love Tiny’s!!! It’s this classy, suave bar that serves huge, delicious deli sandwiches. I have witnessed many a-people moan after taking just one bite of a Tiny’s sandwich, these things are utterly to die for.

All Tiny’s sandwiches come with thick cut bread which you can choose to be either white or brown (so generous), they’re massive, so unlike Sandoichi you will leave FULL, and if you’re lucky they occasionally throw in some banana peppers - I hate them but Peter insists this is very ‘New York’ (oo la la).

First up is the American-style fried chicken. I sometimes worry at the word ‘American’ on a menu item, I think liquid cheese, gimmick food, you know. But do not fear: this is as classic as it gets, the chicken is consistently cooked to perfection (I promise I have eaten it enough times to make such a claim). Everything tastes super fresh, and the house mayo really stands out in the flavour profile. Yes, the cheese is a confronting American orange, but the taste is nothing offensive. This sandwich might be kind of a basic bitch order, but it’s the highest tier of basic.

8.5

When asked which sandwich they recommended, the hostess pointed out the Deli Sandwich (she obviously reads our blog). The salami was super spicy and peppery while the ham was salty and fatty, creating a pleasant meat contrast. But the pecorino cheese is the biggest player in this flavour profile. Despite the rich meats and dairy, the sandwich is balanced out with the roasted pepper, giving notes of vinegar, tart and sweetness. Peter noted that this was a ‘thoughtful’ sandwich, which was prior not a word I’d heard him use to describe food.

7.3

Best for last: The Burrata and Prosciutto. Oh, where to begin…

This is one of the best sandwiches in Sydney, it’s honestly hard to put into words. In addition to the namesake ingredients, this simple sandwich is coated with herby pesto, tomato and rocket. Do you like charcuterie boards? Do you have taste buds? Then you should eat this god damn sandwich. The burrata is so PHAT, so juicy, just brimming with flavour and a nice creamy texture which perfectly complements the salty, fresh San Daniele prosciutto. It’s the kind of sandwich where as soon as you try it, you find yourself daydreaming about the next time you’ll get to have it - and oh boy will you have it again and again.

9.4

Honourable menu mentions:

Peter’s choice: Coronation chicken (Cold and curried)

Ava’s choice: Crumbed chicken sandwich (Comes with sweet chilli sauce)

More to come

While I have still not tried the South Dowling Sandwich, I think Tiny’s is the one to beat and if you would like to try it, Peter or I will be more than happy to take you. And now that I (Ava) am properly settled in Canberra, we will be posting a lot more frequently, perhaps even expect some Canberra vs Sydney posts in the future.

And as usual, please please please leave any recommendations (sandwich or otherwise) in the comments below!

Nom nom and whatnot, thank you for reading :3