Mrs Palmer Sandwich

Overview

Opening in January 2020, Mrs Palmer didn't have much time to establish itself in Darlinghurst before the lockdown hit and cafes were forced to close to dine-in customers. As the sandwich shop and margarita bar was still allowed to offer takeaway, though, it did just that — with a helping hand from some of the city's best chefs.

Mrs Palmer teams up with top chefs to create limited-edition sandwiches, with each one available for takeaway for just two weeks. Past contributors have included Josh Raine, executive chef at Japanese fine diner Tetsuya's, who whipped up a burnt burger cheese bechamel, smoked bacon and kombo fried chicken number, and Aria's executive chef Joel Bickford, with a fermented chilli, wombok, pickled mushroom and fried shallot sando.

Each limited-edition sandwich costs between $13–25 depending on what is inside it and is usually unveiled on Mrs Palmer's Instagram in advance. If the fortnightly sandwich special doesn't quite tickle your fancy, the shop also has a falafel sanga with garlic sauce ($11), one with crispy pork belly ($14), The Cure ($13) with three different cured meats (wagyu pastrami, spicy salami and mortadella) and a riff on a parmigiana ($14). There are also two salads and four types of fries (including tater tots and haloumi fries).

When you visit, be sure to take note of the door to the left of the counter. It doesn't lead to a stock room, as you may assume, but to a tiny, dimly lit margarita bar. La Farmacia's cocktail menu is split into four types of margarita: classic, spicy, fruity and botanical. All up, there are 16 to try — ranging from a mind-numbing Carolina reaper-infused tequila tipple to a mezcal and hibiscus tea option.

To pair with your marg is a selection of Mexican-style snacks, including ceviche, cactus salad, flame-grilled corn and, on Tuesdays, $2.50 tacos.

Images: Terence-Kent Ow