The Most Comforting Sandwiches in the City Are in the Spotlight

Even if you’re not a big fan of Vietnamese cuisine, Bon Banhmi’s take on the traditional banhmi (Vietnamese sandwich) will quickly turn you into one. The secret is in the ingenious marriage between the western-inspired freshly baked crusty baguette and the eastern flavors of sautéed meat and vegetables it encases. Choose between pork, beef, chicken, or the traditional banhmi made with three types of ham and smothered with a secret pate and mayonnaise.

Don’t expect anything fancy when you go for a taste. This modest, street side store located in San Antonio Village, Makati City, is more of a “grab-and-go” type of establishment with no tables and chairs for diners. Nevertheless, their signature banhmi itself is more than enough reason to drop by.

“Great bread makes great sandwiches,” says the menu of this authentic French boulangerie and patisserie that opened in 2013 in Manila. Paul is an internationally renowned bakery, pastry shop, and restaurant that prides itself with a history that dates back to the late 1800’s. They have two branches in the country, both located in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

To make their extensive array of rustic, country-style breads, ingredients are flown in from France. Diners can choose from an assortment of open-faced savory sandwiches served warm or cold, a list of traditional sandwiches with crowd-pleasers such as roasted beef in warm viennoise with Emmental cheese, or a selection of their house specialty—versions of the Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame in their signature Pan de Mie (soft, white bread).

The price tag is relatively steep as you’ll be shelling out anywhere from Php240 to Php395 per sandwich, but the elegant “Parisian tea salon” atmosphere somehow softens the blow to your wallet.

If you’re looking to satisfy that craving for the ultimate Cubano sandwich—the gooey cheese and ham pressed sandwich that was all the rage after Hollywood movie “Chef” came out—then Pepi Cubano would be the closest thing to the real deal. Find it at Tropical Palms Condominium in Makati.

The undersized shop has been in operation since 2006, way before the foodie flick catapulted it to mainstream popularity, and their signature Cubano (priced at Php250) certainly doesn’t disappoint. The sandwich starts with a simple baguette, generously smothered with French butter. Then, the slow-roasted pork loin marinated in a secret sauce is added, along with ham, cheese, tangy mustard, and some pickles. The sandwich then goes into a press to flatten out an otherwise bulky sub.

Enjoy this with a round of sweet banana chips for a twist on the usual potato thins. Other bestsellers include the Pan De Verdura (veggies with mozzarella), for Php280, and the Tito Choripan (chorizo jamonado with chimichurri sauce), Php200.

To say that Refinery is a go-to place for some of the best sandwiches in town doesn’t take away from its equally impressive all-day breakfast dishes, pasta selection, and coffee concoctions. This modern yet cozy all-day restaurant has mastered the art of reimagining the grilled cheese into its many delicious permutations, such as the honey-and-basil grilled cheese and the tomato-and-pesto grilled cheese. For many, the grilled cheese with bacon steals the show, served the classic way with chunky, slow cooked tomato soup on the side. Each variation of this specialty sandwich is placed on a rustic wooden slab, already halved to show the melted mozzarella oozing out of the warm white bread.

You’ll be spending around Php265 to Php475 depending on your sandwich preference. The place fills up quickly so be ready to be seated outdoors during busy hours like brunch and dinner. Refinery has branches in Rockwell in Makati and Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan.

The hunt for a great Reuben sandwich is a hit-or-miss type of quest. Many shops may offer them but only a few really get it right. Leave it to Mister Delicious, an artisan food stall and deli in Century City Mall’s Hole in the Wall, to perfect the art of building a superlative Reuben with owner chef Jeremy Slagle at the helm. Famed for his cured and smoked meats, this culinary genius stacks on layers of tender Wagyu corned beef atop toasted rye bread, adds in heaps of sauerkraut, and throws in Emmental cheese to go with his homemade Russian dressing to make the sandwich.

You’ll get charged Php450 for an order of the classic Reuben, which comes with your choice of Camote chips, soup, or salad. The sandwich is best relished with a bottle of cold craft beer or ginger ale for an additional Php190 to Php250. Mister Delicious has a few seating options, if you want privacy or prefer the more comfortable leather couches. Make sure you get a good table before ordering.

Everyone loves a good ol’ chicken sandwich to munch on any time of day. There’s something about its familiarity and simplicity that makes you crave for one. One such sandwich is the Chicken Melt (Php265) at Press Café, a not-so-secret casual dining establishment inside some branches of Fully Booked. Teeming with grilled chicken slices, pesto, capsicum, caramelized onions, and cream cheese, this sandwich packs in interesting flavors and wholesome ingredients. If you want an even healthier version, you can always go for the chicken roulade (Php275)—stuffed grilled chicken, veggie slices, and a drizzle of honey mustard and balsamic dressing. (It's being under “sandwiches” may be questionable but, hey, it’s worth the mention.)

Visit the place as a group or unwind with a book for some much needed alone time. The hearty chicken sandwich of Press Café is perfect to enjoy either way. You may find your way to the café by visiting one of the branches of Fully Booked in Power Plant Mall and Promenade.