EAT: OLLIE'S DELI, FOOTSCRAY
2021 was the year of the sandwich and us Melburnians were all for it with what seemed like a new sandwich eatery opening every other week. So the opening of Ollie’s Deli in Footscray not long after lockdown 5? 6? (I’ve lost count haha) and within my 5km bubble AND walking distance was met with some excitement. I wasn’t the only one who was keen for Ollie’s Deli as the early weeks saw lines, 20/30 minute plus wait times and early sell outs well before closing time.
BFC - buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, with pickles, lettuce & OD mayo sauce.
Italian - with prosciutto, sopresso salami, ham, provolone cheese and olive tapenade.
During visit #1, we waited 45 minutes for a BFC fried chicken sandwich and Italian deli meat sanga. The latter isn’t my go to when it comes to sandwich fillings (of all the available options on the menu, it’s the easiest to put together yourself) but beggars can’t be choosers… remaining options were scant given that several of the sandwich options had already sold out. BUT with a super generous portion of deli meats and the perfect ratio of cheese:meat:bread, it actually made for quite a tasty sandwich. When it came to the BFC, you can’t really go wrong with crispy fried chicken. The flavour of the OD sauce (anyone else taste the resemblance to the sauce used in the rippa sub at red rooster?) paired deliciously with the fried chicken and was the highlight of the sandwich.
Truffle cheese melt - with trio of cheese (mozzarella, Swiss and Gruyère ), truffle, mushroom salsa and truffle oil.
I had my eye on the truffle mushroom toastie, so knew I had to (a) revisit Ollie’s Deli, and (b) go at an earlier time. Before-lunchtime early. Arrival at 11.30am meant that the wait was only 20 minutes and ALL menu options were available. Win win. Toasties are better consumed fresh, so I just gave mine a slight refresh in my air fryer when I was ready to eat. Ooey gooey cheesiness with umami bites of truffled mushroom: perfection sandwiched between two crispy pieces of bread, and highly, HIGHLY recommended.
I must confess my excitement over sandwiches had died down a little but after putting together this post, I think I’m ready for another sandwich. Thankfully Ollie’s Deli remains open and a stone’s throw away.
Ollie’s Deli
Shop 7/158 Barkly St,
Footscray, Victoria, 3011.