South Dowling Sandwiches — Restaurant in Sydney

Had dinner with some friends last night and one of them recommended this place as "the biggest, bestest schnitzel sandwiches", so I told him I'd try it.

The place is nothing special appearance-wise, but hey, it isn't trying to be anything but a sandwich shop. Unbeknownst to me, I've walked past it many times, on my way to two other fine establishments just up the road (the Organic Bread Bar and The Local Taphouse).

I arrived spot-on noon and there was already a line of six people in front of me, but with seven people working in a shoebox-sized kitchen, I was quickly being served. On the back wall, I could see about 20 large loaves of good looking bread (the insipid stuff you see in supermarkets, nowhere to be found), and immediately thought that the food has to be fresh if they're turning-over that volume.

I was in a rush, so I didn't pay too much attention to the menu, but there were half a dozen or so different sandwich combinations, a list of other hot (but not hotbox) food, and Lavazza coffee (not my favourite grind, but my coffee desire is satisfied just up the road at the Organic Bread Bar...excellent bread and well-made coffee, but that's another review!). The sandwich list also had a "choose your own" list of extras, too, and the glass cabinet dividing the punters from the creators had about 30 other ways to customise your order.

I opted for the stock, standard Chicken Schnitzel sandwich. "White or brown?" was the immediate reply. "Brown, please". Two minutes later, I had a foil-wrapped monster of a sandwich (think dinner plate-size!). Now, size does not always equate to quality, but this place nailed both! The bread was cut an inch-thick, springy with a nice crust, spread with a tasty herbed mayo, followed by a layer of crisp, lightly crumbed, tender chicken schnitzel, topped with Mignonette Lettuce.

Am I going back for another...

[South Dowling Sandwiches]

2.9/5*

The Feed Punchers made an attendance to the beloved Sydney sandwich spot, ‘South Dowling Sandwiches’. Popular amongst locals, this spot boasts a line of customers on most days.

-Firstly, the ‘Paisano’ sandwich, featuring; chicken schnitzel, pastrami, salami, prosciutto, provolone, caramelised carrots, cucumber, rocket, mayo and truffle hot sauce, was very much anticipated, but was sadly a huge let down. The quality of meats on this sandwich was low, very preserved and processed. The schnitzel was thin, dry and tasteless and the veges didn’t taste very fresh. The sandwich wasn’t bad, but for an anticipated deli sandwich, it was quite disappointing.

-The ‘Hugo’ sandwich, simply featuring; schnitzel, mayo, lettuce, tomato, carrot and cheese, was also quite bland. The schnitzel could have been seasoned better. The herb Mayo, although, was quite moist and brought a fresh and creamy addition to the sandwich.

-The ‘Daniel’ Sandwich, featured; Schnitzel, chilli, caramelised onion, carrot and rocket. The schnitzel was bland and thin like the others. The addition of caramelised onion was a perfect inclusion of sweetness, which complimented the chilli sauce very pleasantly.

Overall, the Feed Punchers were not too impressed with South Dowling sandwiches, a simple fad...

Use to come here regularly, and refer people to this sandwich shop, but afraid I will no longer. Service could do with improvement, line very disorganised. Two people who arrived after me were served first, and when I mentioned I was here first, I was made to feel vilified. Owner/cashier asked if I was stressed at work - no mate, it was the poor & disorganised service. :( Sandwiches OK, but there are lots of other places nearby. Stress not worth it.

I think it may be the staff - they obviously work in a high turnover, fast-paced setting to churn out sandwiches, but the experience is not a good one. What was it that made me get overlooked twice, and, once pointed out to them, why did they appear stunned? Often, their service is given without a smile, no acknowledgement of their customers. While the owner/cashier attempted to re-engage in a friendlier manner, the lack of awareness of what was happening to the line cannot be so easily rectified at the payment stage. It is really unfortunate.

Perhaps customer service skills could be improved, and courtesy directed to all customers, and not only to whom the service staff deem on a person to...