Tonton Garby — Restaurant in Brussels

First things first if you’re in a rush, turn around now. Seriously, just head to Subway or wherever your fast-food heart desires. But be warned: you’ll miss out on the best sandwich experience on Earth. And yes, I said experience because Tonton Garby is far more than just a sandwich shop.

Let me set the scene: this isn’t your typical grab-and-go spot. The line outside should clue you in it’s not uncommon to wait 45 to 60 minutes (or longer) to get your hands on one of these masterpieces. I went there today and ordered five sandwiches, and trust me, every single minute was worth it.

Now, let’s talk about the man behind the magic. Tonton Garby, the owner, isn’t just a sandwich maker; he’s a one of a kind storyteller, host, and cheese aficionado rolled into one. From the moment you step up to order, he treats you like family whether it’s like a father and son catching up or best friends reconnecting after years apart. He takes the time to really get to know you: your tastes, your preferences, even your mood. This isn’t about slapping some cheese and ham between bread it’s about crafting the sandwich of your dreams.

The sandwiches themselves? Out of this world. It’s hard to describe the perfection of Garby’s creations fresh bread, an insane variety of cheeses, and toppings carefully chosen to complement your chosen flavors. He doesn’t just make a sandwich; he curates an experience, pouring his heart into every bite you’re about to take.

But I get it, this isn’t for everyone. If you’re someone who’s constantly rushing through life, this might not be your vibe. And that’s okay. Go grab a mediocre sub and move on. But for those who truly appreciate life’s finer moments and are willing to wait for a bit of magic you’ll understand why I’m saying this shop is unparalleled.

Next time I’m in Brussels, I’ll gladly wait two hours if I have to. This isn’t just food it’s an encounter you’ll remember long after the last bite. For everyone else Tonton Garby is waiting, and trust me, you don’t...

I feel torn about this place... So let me break my ideas into different points : 1 - The waiting time : 10 people before us, we waited for 1h20 min before getting to the counter. I did not mind it, since the owner and the entire place are based on the "slow and patient" approach. You wait because he takes care of his guests. I respect this, so this is a 4/5 (I still think 1h20 outside, in the cold, is a bit too much). 2 - The owner and atmosphere : this is an easy 5/5. He is just a nice human being, clever, interesting, passionate. He speaks a lot of languages and makes you feel welcome. He is the real star of the show, even more than his ingredients. He is also a veeery good marketer. I am sure he would be able to sell sand in the desert. 3 - The food : now, I was lucky enough to have lived in cities were sandwiches and ingredients stole the show. I did try before many gourmet sandwiches, with fruits and honey, spiced cheese, great charcuterie. I feel Tonton Garby is going in the right direction, but missing the mark on some points: the bread is lacking. I think it is the bread I found at the supermarket. It is one of the main ingredients of a sandwich, so I would suggest to improve it and collaborate with some local bakeries, also trying to toast it to create a bit of a crunchy texture, that is overall lacking in the final product. The ingredients are all interesting by themselves, but they kind of merge into an indistinguishable mix when I got a bite. Maybe the same result could be achieved by removing one or two ingredient and playing on temperatures and textures.

I suggest to take inspiration from places like "alVolo cibi da strada" in Pavia, or pizzeria Bonci in Roma.

Right now, I do not think this is worth the hype unfortunately, but I hope the owner will keep having all the success he has and maybe just improve on a...

I'm got caught up in the hype. There I said it. This establishment will test your patience if you come and queue. You've been warned by me and them (there is a sign outside telling you that if you are expecting fast service, this is not the place for you).

I joined the queue at 14:55 pm on a Saturday afternoon and got served at 16:30pm. I (stupidly!) queued for an hour and a half on my final day in Brussels to try the baguettes here. Sheer madness on my behalf and it was my fault because I wanted something tangible after stubbornly committing to queuing for so long. Was it worth the wait? No. Maybe for a 25 min wait max. So many didn't last the distance and left. The business model focuses on 'unique' combinations of fillings built around the cheeses he offers once he has an in depth conversation with you about what you wanted to eat, the name of your first pet, your hopes, dreams, neuroses and your aspirations etc. I ordered one sweet and one savoury baguette which seems to be part of his standard repertoire, but quite honestly, by the time I reached the front of the queue, I lost all sense of excitement and anticipation for the baguettes and questioned my life choices leading up to that point in time. He read the room and didn't try to engage in a full on conversation with me and just got on with it. I refused to try a bite of the roll he gets everyone to do as I just wanted to get the baguettes and go (plus also mindful of the other patrons toughing it out!). I had wasted too much of my time for 2 baguettes which soured the experience. The baguettes are very good, but not exceptional or life changing. I'll leave it up to you if you want to spend a large chunk of your time in a queue for the 'experience'. Bring water, a book and ironically, a cut/packed...