Posted on Tuesday, 22ⁿᵈ January, 2025
At a time when culinary trends evolve at lightning speed, a comforting constant is the much-loved sandwich. What's undergoing a transformation, however, is the way chefs are approaching this handheld hero.
Taking inspiration from seaside kiosks, school canteens and continental delis, venues are breathing new life into classic sandwiches with inventive twists that honour tradition while meeting the tastes of today’s adventure-seeking diners.
These newly imagined versions of time-honoured sandos feel like the perfect remedy for a complicated world. Their charm lies in their simplicity, yet the ingredients, techniques and formats used to elevate them are anything but ordinary.
Chefs and venues are reviving old favourites, ensuring that a new generation of sandwich enthusiasts can savour the joy and comfort these retro sandos offer, but with a deliciously modern take.
According to our recent survey with local chefs, Modernised Comfort Food—a global trend highlighted in our 2024 Future Menus report—is shaping casual dining menus across the country. And it’s all about meeting the demand of modern diners for classic, authentic dishes with current on-trend twists, sandwiches included.
Judging by the incredible variety of inventive sandwiches currently being turned out by cafés, delis and caterers, it seems local diners enjoy the challenge of experiencing new flavours within the familiar embrace of a favourite format.
Chip Butty
Bold, reimagined interpretations of the chip butty are hot right now. Picture the traditional carbohydrate-rich sanger, now infused with the creativity of Middle Eastern spices and on-trend Asian sauces then presented with visual flair. It’s an old-school sandwich with a cool origin that is transformed into an exciting culinary adventure with perfectly authentic culinary storytelling so craved by Millennial and Gen-Z diners.
This version balances traditional indulgence with contemporary creativity using exotic spices and delicious condiments, offering a deeply satisfying blend of nostalgia and modernity.
Classic Deli Sandwich on Focaccia
Forward-thinking takes on the classic corner shop salad sandwich are popping up everywhere. With the likes of avocado in place of butter, provolone instead of cheddar, a sprinkle of dukkah adding a twist on salt, peppery rocket replacing mild cos, and pickled vegetables adding a zesty punch over their fresh counterparts, these innovations respect the original while introducing surprising new flavours and textures.
Our take on a deli sandwich uses on-point, flavour-rich ingredients. By incorporating artisanal breads and premium fillings, this staple is transformed into a gourmet delight, perfect for sandwich lovers seeking a nostalgic taste with a modern twist.
‘Holly’ Croque Monsieur
The classic French sandwich, croque monsieur, is an all-time favourite that has never really gone out of style. In this version, we opt for an on-trend, sophisticated makeover by replacing the traditional cheese with Gruyère and adding a creamy hollandaise sauce for a unique flavour combination that takes this traditional ham and cheese sandwich to new heights.
Get your teeth into these new-stalgia sandwich ideas, which successfully combine classic sando vibes with up-to-the-minute formats and ingredients.
At Loaf Sandwiches in Cronulla, an old-school format makes a welcome return. Their Risk It For The Brisket Jaffle is filled with flavour: slow-cooked beef, two cheeses, sweet onion, pickles and onion jam with a generous lash of mayonnaise.
The suburban chicken joints of yesteryear are celebrated in the Classic Chook Sandwich by Just Down The Road in Unley, where hot chicken combines with up-to-the-minute additions of herb sauce, parmesan mayo, avocado and cucumber.
Nothing says classic corner store slab more than a Spicy Tuna Melt. This modern-day version, by the evocatively named Tuck Shop in Noosa, is loaded with canned tuna, chilli oil, pickled jalapeño, white onion, dill, mayonnaise and cheese on deli-style rye.
Channelling traditional European delicatessen vibes, the Deli Cold Cuts sandwich by Saul’s Sandwiches in Carnegie is a meat-lovers delight. Flavoursome cuts of salami, mortadella and shaved ham are complemented by old-school cheese, onion, pickle and iceberg lettuce, then finished with a contemporary slam dunk of red pesto, balsamic, aioli and Calabrian chilli.
Stay tuned for the exciting new Chef’s Modern Guide to ‘Rizzing up the S’wich’.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is created for inspiration purposes only. It is not intended as clinical, medical or nutritional advice.
