Rusty's Sandwich Parlour — Restaurant in Melbourne

The fill: buttermilk fried chicken with slaw and jalapenos

From: Rustys Sandwich Parlour, 189 Nicholson street, Brunswick

Price: $19.50

Rustys has been around for a long time. It's just pottered along in Brunswick east for a number of years. It's not in a super busy area and that says alot to me. It says that people are willing to take a walk for a good quality sandy. It's not just a handy nearby option as such. It's not hard to get to but certainly doesn't rely on bulk foot traffic and office buildings to get by. It's a little diner set up with a few high top tables and an open kitchen area. The bloke that works there looks just like @Ben Cashmore if that means anything to you.

The sandwich sat between a lovely panini which was an absolute delight, it was surrounded I a thin crunchy crust but maintained its fluffy, as this was a hot sandwich it was thrown onto the grill with love. Sorta like a BDSM relationship, forced onto the grill and made to toast which has the possibility to ruin a panini. But alas, it was done with love, respect and most importantly consent. This produced a warm, crunchy, fluffy happiness house.

The chicken was very thinly coated in spices and flour before being fried leading to a nice thin and crispy coating that stuck well to the chicken and was a lovely thickness to bite into. The chicken itself was thigh meat (superior) so it was nice and juicy. I think there was a brine situation happening as none of the chicken was dry and every piece was juicy.

The slaw was understated whoch worked so well. It was lightly sauced and mostly red cab. It wasn't a wet slop which would have completely ruined the integrity of the sandy. It was enough to give you that zesty kick amongst the bread and fatti-ness of the chicken.

Pickled jalapenos were the perfect touch, sweet and spicy a lovely kick in amongst the flavour. If your a sandy place and you follow my reviews please take this on board, not every item on the sandy needs to be spicy. I like spice I do, but I want my heat to come from flavour not just more spice, by the time you add jalapenos and spicy slaw and spicy chicken crumb and chilli chimichurri it👏 is👏 too👏 much👏. Lord hear out prayer.

The reason this sandy was so good is because it was simple, wholesome and delivered well. From walking in i felt that I was able to just come in, eat my sandwich and leave. No pressure to buy a combo with a drink, just a simple menu with simple but classic options. It felt like home, like someone curated this sandy for Jimmy Barnes and his class of man. So much so that I have been there twice recently and both times had the chicken sandy.

Special mention, the pork Cubano here is top teir and probably carries a higher rating than the chicken.... but I'll save that review for another...

It’s a nice little Sandwich parlour that sits on the Nicholson St and I believe it’s the 96 tram line that passes infront of it. So quite easily accessible via public transport. There is parking available on Nicholson St but you can find more parking to nearby streets.

I enjoyed their Chicken sandwich because the chicken and bread used was very fresh, crispy and juicy. I think by 11:30 am almost 75% of their menu items were sold out. So, my suggestion would be to reach early especially if you want to try their day special. I went on a weekend and during lockdown and had to wait for always 25 minutes for my order. So you can imagine what would happen when things would go back to normal. 🤭 But the wait was worth. I also tried their fries 🍟 and it was really good especially their seasoning. It was different though. Quantity of everything was big so if you plan to eat for yourself, you better be all that hungry 😋

I hope my review help and you enjoy the same...

IG: @ediblemelbourne

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We rocked up here one morning in desperate need of a quick sando - and boy did we get that.

We got the buttermilk fried chicken with slaw and jalapeños which absolutely amazing, so crispy, the best Turkish bread, greatly toasted, so good.

We also got something more breakfast-like which was the cheesy, herbed omelette and chives sandwich - a great relish to go with it, the right amount of sweet, loved it.

COFFEE is also great here - the liquid gold long blacks were awesome.

Service is so chilled and laid-back, love it. We also loved the sitting area outside - very hipstery, very Brunswick.

We are definitely coming back for the Cubano and the Prawn with avocado that also look and...