Rumour has it that in 1762, John Mantagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, asked for meat between two slices of bread so that he could eat while playing cards. His friends then asked for “the same as Sandwich”, and the name stuck. Born was the sandwich, what has been and will always be my favourite invention, the perfect category to launch my new series where I, a food journalist, shortlist my honest top 5 in London. Shall we begin?

1. Best affordable sandwich

Paul Rothe & Son, Mayfair

Paul Rothe & Son, the gates of heaven that you are. This little deli is, dare I say, an homage to my New England stomping grounds. It is a New York chicken salad, a Jersey deli pastrami sandwich, a hard roll in Connecticut, a bag of potato chips in the sun. Constantly, I searched for a deli this nostalgic when I moved to London, and then I heard of Paul Rothe & Son.

This place is everything you need it to be. It is quick, easy, cheap, cluttered. It is bells on the front door and handwritten menus. Buttered toast and regulars with newspapers. In short, it is my nirvana.

What you should be getting is this: the chicken with spring onion, bacon and mayo mix on a hard roll (or a large bap). If they’re out of that, just get whatever chicken salad they have. Add lettuce and onion. Not toasted. This is my idea of a classic deli sandwich; it is one of the only good chicken salads in London, and it is staggeringly good. If you’re feeling tap happy and want to double your £7 charge, try a crowd favourite, and a distinctive New York order: pastrami and Swiss. Get it on a toasted sandwich and revel in the yellow mayo and classic, oh so classic, pickle.

It is bells on the front door and handwritten menus. Buttered toast and regulars with newspapers. In short, it is my nirvana.

This is, to the sandwich lover, a goldmine. There’s a reason the storefront has not changed since 1900; it’s a testament to enduring tradition. Don’t miss out on history.

Where: 35 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2NN

2. Best expensive sandwich

The Black Pig, Borough Market

When The Black Pig gained massive momentum a couple of years ago, it was easy to look at it and think, surely that’s not as good as it looks. Decked in parm and dripping in juice from slow roasted pork… surely. It took me a while to get around to trying it, perhaps out of pure disbelief, especially in an era where long queue lines don’t always mean it’s the best.

Not only is the queue worth the wait, but it goes by instantly. It’s daunting at first, but you’ll realise that it’s moving at top speed. The Black Pig has mastered the idea of fast food in a way that every stall should strive for. It’s quick, but more importantly, it’s reliable. It’s the same sandwich every time, just what you remembered or just what you saw online. More than anything, it is a knockout without compromise.

The Black Pig has mastered the idea of fast food in a way that every stall should strive for. It’s quick, but more importantly, it’s reliable.

It’s saucy, balanced, and gloriously thought out with the depth of the pork dancing with the calm of the fennel, the freshness of the slaw, the brag of the truffle, and of course, fastidiously drenched in parm. What I could not have anticipated was how light on my feet I was. Something I really value in lunch is ditching the lethargy that can come with heavy meals or carbs; somehow, this dodges it.

Where: Borough Market Kitchen, Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AG
Website: www.theblackpigsandwiches.co.uk

3. Best new(ish) sandwich

Crunch, Soho

I somehow only stumbled upon Crunch shortly after its opening. I was across the street at The French House, of course, and a friend I was with was hungry. He stumbled across the street into the closest good-looking food haunt and out he popped with a fried chicken sandwich (Michaels Chicken) from Crunch. As I always do, I eyed his meal, asked him if it was any good, waited, waited, until he finally offered me a bite or three. I honestly have not been able to stop thinking of that sandwich since.

I’ll be reaching for that high for a while, I think. Just imagine it, pints at The French House, fried chicken sandwiches at Crunch. Music to my ears.

I don’t go into Soho much, but when I do, I go by way of Crunch. I wasn’t ready for how much those small bites affected me and how much I still think about the perfect, nearly Texas toast on that sesame-seeded slice. A perfect balance between bread, chicken and whatever other good filler they put in that glorious situation. I’ll be reaching for that high for a while, I think. Just imagine it, pitchers at The French House, fried chicken sandwiches at Crunch. Music to my ears.

Where: 60 Dean St, London W1D 6AW
Website: www.sandwichuprising.com

4. Best looking sandwich

Secret Sandwich Shop, Notting Hill

I used to be quite the frequenter of a small nightclub in Notting Hill called The Globe. It’s a quirky spot, very small, quite a weird layout with a bar, basement and a ground floor that is still very dark but with diner-style booths, a very small bar, and games like Connect Four or Backgammon. That’s usually where you could find me on those nights, upstairs, gin and tonic, board game. I’m sure you can imagine my absolute delight when I found out that those same diner booths were home to a sandwich shop by day, a Secret Sandwich Shop, if you will. Had to try it.

Secret Sandwich Shop specialises in those Japanese fluffy sandos that feel so enviable across social media. It’s the cross-section that they’ve mastered, a perfectly measured, symmetrical lesson in colours and textures that is so visually appealing. The sandwich itself is all the more satisfying, sure to keep you fed for the rest of the day, or at least until the club night kicks off. To this day, I can’t get over the presentation of it; just the thought makes me want to go and try another one. For example, I am not an egg salad kind of girl, but I absolutely would like to set my eyes on theirs – stunning. For my first time, though, I went for the Honey Mustard Chicken, which I recommend for any other newcomer, with honey mustard and red Leicester and tomato. Only good things here, and an even better picture!

Where: 103 Talbot Rd, London W11 2AT
Website: www.secretsandwichshop.com

5. Honourable mention

Delizie D’Italia, Pimlico

Can’t write about sandwiches without mentioning my favourite Italian deli. Delizie D’Italia is a local favourite, brimming with regulars and churning out staple Italian sandwiches in Foccacia. I don’t have a go-to here; it’s all based on my mood, and rarely does it ever miss. It’s the kind of place you sit down outside, have a cigarette, chat to the crowd, passing remarks on some game, hear your order is called, then stumble on throughout the rest of your day. Or, you’ll promote yourself and stick to the table, have a plate of meatballs, chicken parm, or whatever pasta is in today’s hotel pan.

This is a true deli, not for the faint-hearted. Commit and order with chest.

Pro tip: don’t hold up the queue and be thoughtful with the space. This is a true deli, not for the faint-hearted. Commit and order with chest. To get started, maybe go for the Siena with speck, taleggio, sun-dried tomatoes, and rucola salad. Or, perhaps, the Nonna, with homemade meatballs and provolone cheese. At £8.70, you can’t beat any of it. Get stuck in.

Where: 70 Lupus St, Pimlico, London SW1V 3EJ
Website: www.delizieditaliashop.com

Affordable, Food & Drink, Restaurants

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