LDNReview

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

Max’s Sandwich Shop image
8.2

Max's Sandwich Shop

Sandwiches

Stroud Green

$$$$Perfect For:Casual Weeknight DinnerCatching Up With MatesCheap EatsDeliveryDining SoloLate Night EatsQuick Eats
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A Londoner’s relationship with sandwiches often doesn’t extend far beyond the meal deal. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with this. The packaged sandwich is available on every corner, it can be eaten in almost any situation, and it’s something we all take advantage of. We’ve all inhaled a BLT on the two stops from Tottenham Court Road to Bond Street on Christmas Eve, haven’t we? Haven’t you? Okay we have. Several times. The sandwich doesn’t have to be like this though, and that’s where Max’s comes in.

The best way to describe Max’s sandwiches is to say that they are main courses between bread. Imagine guinea fowl, chicory, croutons, pickled grape, and anchovy mayo on a plate. Looks beautiful right? Now put it between two slices of bread, lift it up, and shove it in your mouth. It tastes amazing. You get meaty, crunchy, savoury, salty, and tangy in every mouthful. And the best bit is you don’t even need to use a knife and fork. Nor plates. The sandwiches here are delivered to your table as a weighty brown paper package. It’s not hush money but you do end up silenced by the gargantuan filled slices of focaccia. It’s safe to say that at Max’s things in-between bread are not made for on the move.

Max’s Sandwich Shop image

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

Things are laid back here, so laid back they’re almost horizontal, as our school reports used to say. It’s a walk in and plonk yourself down kind of place. It doesn’t matter whether you’re eating in, taking away or a takeaway bloke picking up - you’re more than likely to be offered a drink. In fact, the atmosphere is a bit like going to a friend of friend’s house: you don’t know the person but you immediately feel welcome, and odds are you’ll have a drink drink in your hands within seconds.

This vibe is undoubtedly set by the man welcoming you and the name on the door. Think Basil Fawlty on Gourmet Night, all frenetic energy and quips, and combine this with Withnail’s gregarious demands in the tea shop, take away any sense of cynicism, and you’re in the region of Max’s personality. Basically, he wants the finest wines available to humanity and if you don’t like duck, well, you’re rather stuck. Thanks to him, this place isn’t like other restaurants or sandwich shops, and that’s a good thing. We’re not sure anyone else would think to put ham, egg and chips (ham hock, fried egg, homemade piccalilli and shoestring fries) into a sandwich and, frankly, turn it into a revelation. If you’re going to get one thing here, get that. Though if you’re like us you’re going to get that, another sandwich, some spuds, and a mac ‘n’ cheese ball.

A trip to Stroud Green would be worth it for Max’s slap-on-the-back-and-offering-of-Mini-Eggs greeting alone, but combine it with the sandwiches and you’ve got a pretty one of a kind place. To call it a sandwich shop almost criminally underplays what’s going on here. It’s a restaurant with starters, mains and desserts, it’s a party with the ultimate host, it’s a friend’s dining room, and everyone’s welcome. Next time you’re reaching for a meal deal, just remember to think about what it could be.

Food Rundown

Max’s Sandwich Shop image

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

Ham, Egg ‘N’ Chips

Remember the first time you used an iPhone and you were all like “wow this shit has changed the game”. This is like that with sandwiches. There should be a framed photo of Max in a turtleneck holding this.

Max’s Sandwich Shop image

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

Et Tu Brute? Murdering The Caesar

Like a caesar salad on speed. With no less than seven ingredients, including guinea fowl, pickled grapes and tarragon salsa - this guy is a thing of messy beauty.

Max’s Sandwich Shop image

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

The Korean Gangster

Another seven ingredienter, the KG is all about the kimchi, ‘incredibly slutty gravy’, and the innovation of deep fried instant noodles.

Max’s Sandwich Shop image

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

Spuds

It’s not just bits between bread here. These crispy, crushed, curried potatoes come with a load of fresh coriander and mint. They’re well worth an order.

Max’s Sandwich Shop image

photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch

Mac ‘N’ Cheese Balls

Read that title and tell us you don’t want to try one. That’s what we thought.

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FOOD RUNDOWN

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