MELReview
Cà Com
Melbourne’s long lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 led to the opening of this sandwich shop from the team behind Anchovy (a Vietnamese fine diner that’s since closed). Billed as a “bánh mì bar,” Cà Com’s specialty is actually khao jee pate, a Lao breakfast sandwich that isn’t technically a bánh mì but gets pretty damn close. The OG is jungle-spiced pork sausage big on lemongrass, galangal, and garlic, served on a crunchy long roll with mayo, jeow bong, pickles, and herbs. Five-spice pork belly and turmeric-coconut chicken also make regular appearances. The venue only seats six, so we like to grab a sandwich and Vietnamese iced coffee and head to Citizen’s Park nearby.