Overview
A good toastie is more Australian than Bob Hawke sculling beer at the cricket. The humble toastie may just be a simple sandwich that has been toasted (whether that's in a frying pan, a sandwich press or a jaffle iron), but a world of possibilities exists within those two slices of bread. While this is something you could make at home, why would you when so many venues do it so well? These five toasties are the toast of the town.
BACON SANDWICH, WIDE OPEN ROAD
One sandwich rules them all in Brunswick, and that's the bacon sanga at Wide Open Road. It has crispy bacon, oozy double cheese, sweet and slightly spicy relish framed in bread so golden you know it's been fried by some kind of magic (otherwise known as a frying pan). If you don't normally come to Brunswick, this is a toastie worth crossing rivers for — whether that's the Yarra, the Parramatta, the Danube, the Seine or the Nile.
BANGERS AND MASH JAFFLE, BAD FRANKIE
If you get out of bed on Saturdays for the sausage sizzle at Bunnings, we'd like to introduce you to the sausage sizzle's gourmet cousin: the bangers and mash jaffle at Bad Frankie. This small bar, just off Smith Street in Collingwood, specialises in Australian whisky and jaffles. On the menu, there are toasties stuffed with cheese, supreme pizza, vego butter chicken, and, of course, the bangers and mash. Pork sausages are served on wholemeal bread, topped with potato mash and served with gravy dipping sauce on the side. It's so delicious you'll never go to Bunnings again (well, not for the sausage sizzle).
Brook James
LAMB JAFFLE, TUCK SHOP TAKE AWAY
Tuck Shop Take Away is a corner store in Caulfield reinventing old classics that make a variety of 'best of' lists: best milkshakes, best burgers, best fries, best treats, and, most importantly, some of the best jaffles around. Tuck Shop has three jaffle options — baked beans, three cheese or slow-cooked lamb. The lamb is mixed with Vegemite and béchamel sauce and tightly sealed in a jaffle iron – it tastes like the best gourmet pie you've ever had. There's limited seating in the cafe, so head in early and grab a stool at the counter.
CHICKEN AND CHORIZO BOLOGNESE TOASTIE, CHEERIO
Cheerio lives up to its name — it's a small and cheerful cafe just off Swan Street in Richmond where you can order a cheerful toastie from a cheerful waiter. And if that's not enough for you, wait until you bite into the chicken and chorizo bolognese toastie. Mixing comfort foods from Spain and Italy, in an Australian toastie, it's unapologetically indulgent.
Letícia Almeida
JAFFLE BOLOGNESE, ARLECHIN
Another bolognese toastie, in a completely different setting. Arlechin is a new bar in the CBD serving up snacks and drinks til 2am. So if you've ever craved a stellar toastie after midnight, but have, maybe, lacked the 'dexterity' to do so, Arlechin is here to save the day. The rich, piping hot bolognese is sealed between slices of crisp golden bread and topped with a healthy pile of grated parmesan. Your hangover will thank you tomorrow.