British Sandwich Week: Best Butties in Manchester
We round up the very best sandwiches in Manchester, from cheap eats at Rustica and Katsouris Deli to beefy extravagance at Hawksmoor
OH the humble sarnie. You mean so much more to the world than you're ever given credit for. Burgers get all that credit, don't they?
We're not talking sad, reduced egg and cress territory, or the shit that you get at a funeral buffet; we're talking the real deal. The crispy bacon barms that have pulled you from your hangovers, the beige chip butties that have saved a long day when you can't be arsed to cook real food, fish finger sarnies with a lick of tartare sauce, the club sandwiches that cheat the system with a game-changing third tier.
So, without further ado, here are the best in Manchester, from lowly butty shop gems through to the meaty short-rib French dip of your dreams.
Rustica: Milano on Frisbee
Local sandwich chat would mean nothing without a mention of Northern Quarter institution Rustica, all too often a beacon of hope for the hungover masses of Manchester. Of course it's a firm shout for a breakfast sandwich in the morning, but let's be honest: here it's ALL about the Milano on Frisbee, with chicken, bacon, pesto and garlic mayo all stuffed into bread that's the shape and (more importantly) size of a frisbee. "Hands down Manchester's best sandwich," according to our Commissioning Editor, who suggests you pair one with a can of cream soda and a packet of Seabrook's ready salted for maximum impact. If you can't get the Milano get the Florentina or the brie, mushroom and aubergine – the latter on a ciabatta.
Northern Soul: Mac Attack
Over on to the grilled cheese realm with Northern Soul's melty delights. Double up on your carbs with the Mac Attack, which sees the grilled cheese concept upped somewhat by a hearty filling of mac 'n' cheese. We know.
Katsouris: Turkey Club
Sandwiches at Katsouris Deli are well-known in these parts, and that's because sandwiches at Katsouris Deli are FUCKING HUGE. Whatever you pick from the vast selection, you can munch happily in the knowledge that you're getting a good feeding, but if we were to pick a standout guy from the crowd it'd be the Turkey Club Sandwich, deemed by our team as "monumental". They also reduce their cold sandwiches after the lunch rush, meaning you can pick up a monster-sized bap that will feed you for two consecutive lunches for a coupl'a quid.
Koffee Pot: Reuben
Branching out from their famed breakfasts, Koffee Pot's deli-style sarnies have become a regular fixture on the menu for hungry Skinny staff. And with their own house-cured salt beef, in particular they pay especially tasty homage to one of the world's favourite sandwiches, the Reuben, served up with house-pickled cucumbers and homemade coleslaw. Nice one KP.
Common: BLAT
For many a year, Common had been leading the pack with stone cold classic Chicken, Avocado and Bacon – or CAB, if you were a regular to such a combo. But because change is inevitable (*shakes fist*), that guy's been recently dethroned and replaced on the menu by a swanky new model: The BLAT, a sensual amalgam of bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato. Shouts to the Chor-ee-tho, too, named as such so you sound like a twat (albeit an authentic twat) upon ordering.
Henry C: Croque Madame
Of course it's bad form to judge a book by its cover, but when a sandwich arrives looking like Henry C's Croque Madame, we say judge away. Because look at it! Look at those crispy sage leaves! Inside the grilled sourdough you'll also find smoked bacon and mature Cheddar cheese, with a fried egg on top for good measure. There aren't enough thumbs up in the world for this one, really.
Hawksmoor: Short-Rib French Dip
A sandwich at Manchester steak haven Hawksmoor is always going to be a good thing. Find proof of that within unctuous mouthfuls of their short-rib French dip on the bar menu, which is filled with braised beef short-rib, Ogleshield cheese and French's American mustard, with bone marrow gravy for dipping. At £12 it's obviously not the cheapest butty in town, but it's certainly one of the best.
The Deli-Lama: Any of 'em
It's probably fair to say many of us at The Skinny are about 90% toastie these days. Specifically, 90% of The Deli Lama's toasties, which are affordably wonderful and round the corner from our office. Packed with great ingredients, failsafe combos, plenty of vegan and veggie choices and generously drizzled in oil before put in the grill, they're also only three pound fiddy. What's not to love?
The Pilcrow: Onion Bhaji Toastie
Thank you, Lord, for Pollen Bakery bread. And thanks also to the good people at The Pilcrow, who stuff it with such heavenly fillings for their toasted sarnies. Even the sans cheese vegan options are far from an afterthought. Our favourite is the trailblazing Onion Bhaji Toastie with mango chutney and beetroot, though the avocado, black bean and sriracha is also a strong shout for the plant-based eaters of Manchester.
North Tea Power: Pastrami
Honourable mentions
[Hip Hop Chip Shop's Halloumi Wrap, photo: Adam Pester Photography]
We couldn't exactly not mention Hip Hop Chip Shop's Halloumi Wrap now, could we? Not strictly a sandwich, but still up there with the best, the crispy battered halloumi within is something you'll be thinking about for months to come.
Likewise, Mowgli's Bombay Chip Butty is something of a corker, especially for all you vegans a little bored of falafel wraps. Fenugreek and turmeric spiced fried potatoes are wedged into a roti wrap with chilli pickle, red onion, coriander, green chilli and tomato relish, with extra tatties on the side.
Think we've missed any? Email jess@theskinny.co.uk and we'll see if your sarnie makes the cut...