Delving into details

Sandwich Factory treats taste buds with a range of new mixes in an old favourite

By Cheranka Mendis

 Between two slices of crisp soft bread is a mountain of deliciously prepared food- chicken fried, cheese oozing out and spicy sauce seeping in through the soft holes of the bread. It is beautiful to look at, delicious to taste and sums up what Sandwich Factory offers.

 It’s incredible how the sandwiches that started its way at the owner’s kitchen, available for all through a phone call has come this far to grab the attention of all food lovers in Colombo. Thanks to an ever grumbling tummy, never-ending appetite for good food and the frustration of not getting what he wanted, is the story behind The Sandwich Factory, which later became known as TSF. Three and a half years later the homemade sandwich corner has grabbed the attention of the city’s busiest and is on the climb to attain more success. In the wake of their own diner- in true American style the owner and Managing Director Hisham Cader joins Weekend FT to talk about his favourite subject: food.

The beginning

 His story is an inspirational one. Interning as a waiter at Bob and Edith’s Diner in Northern Virginia, Cader was introduced to what he did not get often in his hometown- good food, great portions and value for money. Upon his return in 2007 Cader could do nothing else but grumble and complain on missing what he had loved when in the States. Gathering up enough experience from his work at Silver Diner and the Carlyle Grand in the USA, he was all too happy to take his friends suggestion and open up his own spot.

 “It all started when I started complaining about the food. After some time some of my friends told me- your into food, you know your food so stop complaining and do something about it. It was then that I thought of doing my thing and asking all who want to come and have a bite,” Cader said. What started in his mother’s kitchen and was initially available to all through a phone call soon became a hit and one year afterwards he opened a takeaway outlet at Dwellings down Green Path Avenue and later at ODEL. Opening up at the Wijerama Road as yet another catering and takeaway joint he finally got tired of saying no to all those who wanted to get served and enjoy their food instead of takeaway.

 Movie diner

The empty space has been transformed to real American style diner; making those movie diners you have seen numerous times a reality. The tables have been brightly painted to suit the mood, walls colourfully printed and the waitress in red carrying a smoking hot dish is sure to attract the passersby.     

The customers can choose from over 32 varieties through delicious sandwiches and burgers and a whole lot of other finger food. The favourite dish so far has been Philly Cheese Steak and Chillie Cheese Burger- a great combination of Chilli on Carne (beef) with a fried egg on top sloshed on with cheese. Then there is the Chicken and Prawn Popsicles, Morrocan Style Roast Chicken Sandwiches, Thai Chicken Broccoli Wrap, and Cajun Grilled Chicken in a Bun.

 “The secret of a great sandwich is all in the details,” said Cader, therefore every herb, spice, baguettes and cut of meat has been handpicked while garnishes such as the mustard has been homemade ensuring quality and taste. The infusion of the menu includes “charcoal grills in Morocco, bustling downtown cafés in central New York or the fragrant burning spices in a Tandoor clay oven,” as they say on their website.

 Their most famous dishes perhaps still lie around the sandwiches they originally started with. The great submarines that come in 6 inches or 12 filled with gastronomic delights of Chicken Philly, Grilled Chicken, Tandoori, Prawn, Veggi and Egg Submarine.

The Moroccan style roast chicken is one of their highlight dishes.  Their new Sandwich in a Salad Range with the option to ‘skip the bun’ and have your favourite sandwich on a crisp mixed green salad with a zesty yogurt dressing. There are burgers and hot dogs and a whole lot to choose from.

 The diner introduced its own version of milkshake- classic milkshakes of Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry as well the Chocolate Cookie and Rock Malts at the launch and is now all ready to be picked up. Await a new health range with smoothies in 2011 as well as the presence of a juke box belting out old classics of the ’60’s and the ‘70’s too.

 “The secret to our success was that we did not want to cut back on the portions just because of price. I would rather have people stuffed than going off and saying they are still hungry. I do hope to introduce many new additions in the future. The customers will have to watch out.”

Pix by Dinuka Liyanawatte