There’s nothing quite like a sanga. We grew up with them. We eat them every other day. We make them for our family and friends when they pop in, and we are constantly on the lookout for fresh new takes on this ever popular classic. Sandwiches are so ‘ingrained’ in our culture that when we hear a new sanga joint has opened, we are simply grilled to pieces. MC’s Sandwich House in Burleigh is the new face on the local sandwich scene, offering their tantalising take on sangas from around the globe. They’re made fresh to order and available until sold out and friends, we are not talking your stock standard cheese and vegemite school lunchbox style here. These bad boys are the ‘Bread Pitt’ of sandwiches.

MC Founders Jay Moricz (the M) and Josh Cumming (the C) had a simple plan; to create a place where people could come and celebrate quality sandwiches combining classic and outside of the box ingredients. Naturally ‘ole ye faithfuls like lettuce and cheese make an appearance, but they’re married up with some very ‘now’ elements which take a sanga from meh to yeah. They chose to offer five different types of sandwiches and two muffin varieties, each one mastered to perfection with a thoughtfully curated combination of contents. It’s about quality not quantity and never a truer word has been spoken.

The crowd favourite signature sangas are the Hot Chicken with jalapeño brined fried chicken, house slaw, cheddar and jalapeño honey on brioche and our fave, the Kimchi Reuben with housemade pastrami, kimchi, Russian dressing and swiss cheese on rye. We’re pretty harsh Reuben critics and it’s unanimous – we are in obsessed with this one. Vegetarians are catered for with two different offerings, one of which is the Mushroom Poh Boy with panki crumbed mushrooms, MC’s spice mix, cos lettuce and vegan hot mayo on a hoagie roll. And the truth is, just as many meat-eaters as vegos are fan-girling (or fan-boying…or fan-they-ing) over the meat-free offerings.

Of course, the team at MC’s won’t leave you high and dry (AKA parched) coz you can also order Coffee Supreme and Strangelove Soda to wash your sandwich down. And, if you don’t want to rush back to work to eat your stellar sandwich (same), don’t coz there are a few stools lined up along the front windows. Warning though – they get snapped up fast so if you happen to see one sans person, hurl yourself at it before someone else does.

The space is styled to suit the nosh – simple, fresh and modern, with a blend of clean lines and textures, and a colour palette with white, shades of charcoal and a punchy red for a pop of colour. But there is more than meets the eye here and we love a bit of something extra with our brekkie or lunch. Out the back you’ll find Time & Space art gallery showcasing the work of local artists…for free! Adam Leng is the featured artist of the moment and well worth a sneaky look. But that’s not all, you’ll also find Love-Connection next door, a fabulous little store selling clothes, accessories, books and all the cool things. There’s nothing wrong with going out for a sandwich and returning with exactly that….plus a new outfit and some wall art, right?

So next time you’re in a sandwich state of mind but can’t be arsed making one, but also don’t want a servo sanga (coz, just, no..), MC’s is the place for you. And remember, they’re made to order and only available until sold out, so don’t dawdle or your sandwich craving will be toast.

When: 5.30am – 2pm Monday – Friday. Commencing Saturday trade 28th May.
Where: 83 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Another week and another fabulous venue opening in Palm Beach. When will this sprawling suburb slow down in churning out even more reasons for us to spoil our tastebuds? To be fair, it doesn’t look like any time soon — however, any excuse to part with our hard-earned cash in the name of great food and superb drinks is something we are more than comfortable living with. Fresh on the scene at the southern side of Palm Beach is the newly-opened Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar.

Firstly, it’s worth mentioning the brains behind this fit-out is a bit of a hospitality legend in their own right. Scott Perry is a highly awarded mixologist who worked his way across Europe and the USA many moons ago with a notable stint in London’s iconic Milk and Honey bar, before opening up Euro Lounge Bar/Eatery The Lark in Brisbane a little more than a decade ago. More recently, he’s been involved in the festival scene and ensuring revellers have the best drinks possible, overseeing bar operations across local favourite, Splendour in the Grass. To say Perry knows hospitality inside out is probably putting it mildly, so what has he got in store for us at Scott’s?

The small but welcoming whitewashed 40-seater space is minimalistic and the opportune spot to evade the heat of the day, with some high tables close to the street and lower tables to the rear. By their admission, they want the vibe to be a relaxed Italian-style panino bar that hinges their entire offering on the three pillars of coffee, sandwiches, and wine. Meaning the space is welcoming you from breakfast right on through to sunset with taste sensations the entire way.

The menu splits itself in two, with Brekky Sangas available from 7am till noon, and then Sangas & Salad from 10am for the rest of the day.

The Brekky Sangas consist of their standard sanga of pillowy soft scrambled eggs, hot hash browns and fresh spinach on Ciabatta with optional extras of bacon & house brown sauce, smoked salmon & lemon mayonnaise or grilled halloumi.

The Sangas & Salad showcase some New York deli-style classics such as Leg Ham with provolone cheese, tomato & in-house pickles or the Mexican Pork with spiced slow cooked pork (8 hour), pickled red onion, salsa rossa, crushed corn chips, crumbled feta & Oaxaca cheese, served with pork broth for dipping.

If you’re beginning to salivate by reading that last paragraph, don’t worry, it’s quite normal. These are some serious examples of epic sandwiches, and when you take your first bite into any one of Scott’s creations, you’ll know the difference right away.

Drinks-wise they have three brightly coloured made in-house cold press juices, expertly poured espresso and a small collection of allocated wines. These bottles vary from small Australian producers right through to unique European appellations; grab a glass or get yourself into a bottle: munching away on ciabatta sandwiches with vino in hand is quite the Italian look, let us tell you.

Perry wants Scott’s to be the place you can drop in for a bite at breakfast time, a gourmet sandwich for lunch or a grazing-style experience through the afternoon. The menu also features a charcuterie selection, gorgonzola chips and a cheese platter to end all other cheese platters available from 3pm weekdays and 12pm on weekends. And with a cocktail menu in development — featuring an array of classic spritzes — Scott’s has set the bar pretty high. Drop-in and sample the goods, but be warned — you may never look at a sandwich the same way again.

Hours: Wednesday: 7am — 3pm, Thursday-Saturday: 7am — late, Sunday: 7am — sunset (Closed Monday & Tuesday)
Where: Shop 1, 1114 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

They say the best things in life are free. And although this remains true for the most part, whoever came up with this sentiment must have momentarily forgotten about delicatessen-style foods. We’re talking about all those specialty goods like mouth-watering dry-cured meats, artisanally produced cheeses, and all of those delightful dips and spreads — ultimate charcuterie board goals.

When it’s time for a picnic or a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun with wine in hand, these foods are the perfect accompaniment. But getting your hands on such fare is no easy task. You must know where to look, folks. Head to the supermarket deli counter if you must, but if you yearn for divine savours — and believe you deserve the very finest — read on as we run you through the Gold Coast’s best gourmet deli’s.

Manolas Bros Delicatessen
After a recent swoon-worthy refurbishment, Manolas Bros has only gone and cemented themselves as one of the Coast’s ultimate spots to treat your tastebuds. Not content with just being a continental style deli, you are also now spoiled with wood-fired pizzas, an extensive bar offering, and heaps of takeaway options in the form of some robust filled-to-the-brim food hampers. All we can say is specialty dishes, baked goods, and festive sweets are some of the many reasons people keep coming back to this Surfers Paradise foodie hub.
Where: Shop 3G, 14 Capri on Isle of Capri, 15/21 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise

The Standard Market Company – Southport Brickworks
Your one-stop place to fill your larder with the finest goods the Gold Coast’s CBD has to offer. Specialising in freshly baked breads, cheese, olives and imported gourmet goods, your next picnic will be elevated to lofty new heights. But this isn’t all; their very own butcher counter will tease you with expert cuts of free-range and organic meats, alongside a vast selection of handmade sausages crafted with flavourings from all around the world. Around the world in 80 snags, anyone?
Where: 107 Ferry Road, Southport

Barbosa Fine Food Deli
Cheese is life. A fair statement in anyone’s book (sorry vegans), but with cheese, one must have suitable chutneys, relishes, pickles, and crackers; luckily for Barbosa Fine Food Deli at the Kitchens in Robina Town Centre has all the above plus more. Grab yourself an organic Fairtrade coffee and discuss your next blissful charcuterie board with any of their friendly staff: they’ll help direct you through their incredible assortment of imported and Australian goods. And for those with a craving for fresh truffles, look no further, truffle season is upon us, and these guys have got you covered.
Where: The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre

Golosi Food Emporium
This hidden in plain sight place of delectable goods is Burleigh Heads’ ode to fine foods — and we suggest, if you haven’t already, to make this a regular place to stop by. Even if you’re having trouble conjuring up a list of things you might want, don’t fear. Once you step inside, the vast assortment of fare will quickly have you imagining cheese boards and snack plates from your wildest dreams. And if you plan on having yourself an easy dinner one evening, their selection of fresh pastas and divine ready prepared meals are by no means a shortcut.
Where:  3/45 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Ambarella Fine Foods
This enclave of gourmand food and drinks ensures an authentic paddock to plate experience with every visit. Whether you’re looking to stock up on farm-fresh vegetables, lusting for one of our city’s largest selections of cheese, or adamant you must have yourself only the best superbly baked European style bread, then, you’ll find all of these under the one roof here in Burleigh Waters. However, searching out the best goods is tiring — and hungry — work. We suggest you take a rest and fuel up at their café and juice bar, where fresh over-filled sandwiches/wraps and squeezed-on-the-spot juices await you.
Where: Shop 12/1 Santa Maria Court, Burleigh Waters

Quince Fromagerie Cellar
On the southern end of the Coast, the Cornerstone Stores have been a haven of boutique goods impressing locals for the last three and a half years. Integral to this space is the cutest looking wine and cheese shop, Quince Fromagerie — but don’t be fooled, this is a serious case of good things come in small packages. Friendly shop manager Rafa is on hand to lead you through the diverse selection of gourmet goods and cheeses, and if you ask nicely, he may even give you a taste of some. We’re also pleased to say wine plays a role here, and should you want to pair one of their many bottles with anything edible you purchase, go right ahead, you cultured thing, you.
Where: Shop 5/570 Gold Coast Highway, Tugun

Russian Delights
Those with family ties to Eastern Europe or Russia often know only too well how hard it can be to find foods from the old country here in Australia. One place that disrupts and challenges this status quo are the good guys at Russian Delights. This long-established business has been procuring and distributing various foods from several different cultures for over twenty years and shows no sign of slowing one bit. Specialising in smoked sausages and cured meats, they pride themselves on only stocking the very best produce made by the strictest traditional recipes and welcome customers from all varying backgrounds to come and enjoy their selection of international goods. Trust us when we say, locals who know their meats, get it from here.
Where: 1/35a Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads

Words by Alex Mitcheson.