There's a new kid on the Oxford Street block between Crown and Flinders Streets. His logo appears as an old-style family crest that glorifies the humble pig as its animal of choice. Mr Crackles is his name and he's all about the pork rolls and crispy crackling. Yes please!
Diners can choose from roast pork rolls, hot dogs, and crackling. This sounds simple but each option has been reworked with a fresh modern twist. Ex-Wharf chefs Carlo Justo and Sam Horowitz have applied their expertise to elevate the lunchtime staple to epic levels. The pork belly used takes three days to prepare with just the right amount of salts and spices. Many of the rolls are tempered with fresh Vietnamese-styled salads featuring pickled carrot and cucumber. It provides an amazing counterbalance to the slow-braised meats that melt in your mouth.
And let it be told that this place caters for dudes. Hungry dudes. Try the Manwich, described as "twice the meat and half the salad on any one of our famous sandwiches". It personifies the phrase 'bitten off more than you can chew'. If that's not really your thing, however, you need not fear. A good option might be the vego roll featuring roasted pumpkin, caramelised onions, baby spinach, and tahini. Each roast roll is available in regular ($7) and large ($10).
Also open late Friday through Sunday, Mr Crackles dares us to ditch the late-night kebab or Maccas run.