Derby Hot Sandwiches

The Verdict

Melbourne’s Northsiders have just copped a new sambo haven with Derby Hot Sandwiches opening up. With an emphasis on free-range meats, ethically sourced ingredients and locally made products, Derby is ready to show you what a seriously upstanding sandwich tastes like. 

The team behind one of the CBD’s hottest lunch destinations, King William, has migrated their sandwich mastery to the Fitzroy area. The new store is located on Smith Street and is already proving to be a favourite among locals. The classic frosted glass and red-tiled shop front is complete with gold signage; while the facade is humble, the menu is anything but. 

Sandwiches are a tried and true staple, especially in Melbourne but Derby Hot Sandwiches is definitely looking to add its own signature stamp in the industry. The shop's concept was inspired by an old CBD carvery that would have “people queuing out the door” for takeaway roast sandwiches. the Brigadier sandwich, which pulls rank on the Colonel, is a soft panini stuffed with roast free-range chicken, crispy chicken skin, traybake stuffing, zucchini slaw and finished off with magic gravy. Which the founders classify as basically “a roast dinner in a lunch” and “has its roots in that carvery”.

The Mamma Mia sandwich is a ciabatta packed with free-range pork meatballs, spinach sugo, basil salsa verde with the dream team of Italian cheeses; provolone, Scamorza and Parmigiano melted on top. Or, if you’re looking for a vegan option, the Green Dreams sandwich features house-made green pea falafels with herby hummus, pickled zucchini and lots of fresh leaves. 

You’ll certainly want to make a meal of it with crinkle-cut chips and house-made craft sodas; Which come in a range of flavours for every palette, except cucumber and lime, pineapple, ginger and lemongrass, raspberry and red vinegar. They've also got homemade condiments for days, you can take your pick from aioli, chipotle mayo and of course their truffle parmesan mayo. 

Image credit: Annika Kafcaloudis