Saul’s Sandwiches

315 Neerim Rd
Carnegie, VIC 3163
https://www.sauls.com.au/

By this point in the sandwich revival, pretty much everyone has their favourite spot. And whilst Hector’s Deli will always be the OG for me, boy am I glad to have Saul’s Sandwiches 5 minutes away from where I live. If you want huge, deli-styled sandwiches with no frills but plenty of thrills, this is the place to be. And they’re open until 9pm! Dinner sandwiches!

Rating: 13.5/20 – better call…
To-order: smoked pastrami.

The Smoked Pastrami ($16.9) is everything. There are eight layers of house-cured meat – count ‘em, it’s literally eight – balanced out by robustly crunchy kale-slaw tossed through with creamy dressing. Adorning that potent combination is a bitey yellow mustard, as well as a lavish handful of pickles for those of us who are sick of always having to ask for extra. All of that is squashed between a fragrant sesame seed bun, and if you like your sandwiches hearty but not heavy, this is the holy grail.

If you’re a hot sandwich fan, you may lean towards the Chicken Parm ($15.9), with its classically irresistible combination of crispy fried chicken slathered in Napoli sauce, oozing with basil-scented cheese.

Alternatively, give the Sesame Hot Glazed Chicken ($15.9) a go, with its nubbly, crunchy glory drenched in a sticky sweet-savoury sauce. Buttermilk dressing and fresh iceberg lettuce is the only appropriate accompaniment.

On the lighter end (without going veggie) is the Deli Cold Cuts ($16.9), which is like the best Subway sandwich of your dreams. Instead of 2 slices of turkey and limp salad, you’re treated to three different cuts of meat, the crispest vegetables, and plenty of good quality cheese and sauces (red pesto and aioli is what they do here). The clever little drizzle of balsamic vinegar at the end really sets it off.

For dessert, there’s Cream Puffs ($4ea) hidden in a corner of the menu, but definitely don’t sleep on this one. With a tender, buttery pastry and a super thick, super fragrant custard in the centre, it’s like eating an award-winning vanilla slice, except half of it doesn’t end up on your shirt.

And to round things out, an excellent Flat White ($4.5). I don’t know if its all the Sydney hospital coffees talking (now that is a potently bad combination), but this tasted extra good, even for Melbourne.