The Sausage and Bread Top 5 2008

Hard to believe it's been a year since my last Top 5. I've discovered loads of new places over the last 12 months and the thing that strikes me is how the bar has been raised in terms of easily available, good quality sausage and bread.

Your average greasy spoon cafe might still be selling nasty, 'economy' sausages but there seem to be more and more gourmet outlets springing up and newer sandwich shops tend to make sure they at least have a half decent Cumberland on the menu. Recent bad press about cheap, processed meat products and a general demand for better quality food may be the reasons.

As for the places reviewed in this blog: The Gourmet Hot Dog Company has survived for another year and while it's possible to get a West Virginian hot dog that isn't too shabby, its cooked-on-rollers sausages are a bit uninspiring.

Eat is probably the leading chain outlet with its grilled sausage muffin proving to be reliably tasty. Leon and Benugo's sausage and bread offerings perhaps proved that image isn't everything - both were quite disappointing.

The Diner deserves credit for its attention to detail and faithful reproduction of an American menu. Its chili cheese dog is a must try but the price and stodginess are negatives.

Cafe Soho continues to be a great sandwich shop but unfortunately its been forced out of the Top 5. Not because of any drop in quality, but because new places have muscled their way into the list. I re-visited recently and it still thoroughly deserves a 'Recommended' tag.

The 2008 Sausage and Bread Top 5 for London

5 - BAR BRUNO


Soho is literally being knocked down and rebuilt around it, but Bar Bruno continues to dish out a fantastic toasted pork sausage sandwich, prepared quickly. I was sure Bruno's was going to drop out of the list this year but a re-visit proved me wrong. Long live Bar Bruno.

4 - FERNANDEZ AND WELLS


The chorizo and roasted pepper ciabatta is a favourite. One of the stars of Soho.

3 - THE HONEST SAUSAGE




On my first visit I thought the Honest Sausage's location was a negative being out of the way and requiring a special effort to get to it. Now I've changed my mind and I've decided the setting in Regent's Park should be seen as a plus not a minus. On a sunny autumn day, what could be better than an organic sausage in fluffy white bun, eaten outside surrounded by squirrels, trees and a wide open park? Welcome to the Top 5, Honest sausage.


2 - FARMER BROWN



I've made multiple repeat visits to Farmer brown since I discovered it earlier this year. They make a sausage sandwich that is actually moreish. The owner has told me they get regulars who come to the cafe just for the fat, juicy Cumberland sausages.


1 - PAUL (salami baguette)


Yes, I'm afraid the long-standing number 1 has retained its spot. It remains the perfect combination of sausage and bread, in my opinion.

Do you know of any other places that serve great sausage sandwiches or hot dogs? Drop me a line with anything sausagey and bready that you'd like to share.

Here's to another year of outstanding sausage and bread!

Dec 2008

The Sausage and Bread Top 5 (October 2007)

I've discovered some really good places over the last few months so I thought the Top 5 needed a bit of revising.

Olly Olson is no longer with us and unfortunately Dolce Cafe has had to make way (although it's still a place that I would recommend for a better than average sausage sandwich). So, here we go. Here's the New Top 5:


5 - BAR BRUNO
Hangs on to fifth spot for its efficiency in preparation and quite decent pork bangers.

4 - BODEAN'S
Takes over as the hot dog representative in the Top 5. Has a range of toppings to choose from and a passion for flavourful food.

3 - CAFE SOHO
Currently the best, basic sausage sarnie I've found in Soho and an excellent sandwich shop all round.

2 - FERNANDEZ AND WELLS
A fine chorizo and roasted pepper ciabatta in this haven for foodies. Their daily specials sometimes feature sausage too.

1 - PAUL (salami baguette)


It's a really tough call between Paul and Fernandez & Wells since both sandwiches are exceptional. In the end, I thought the Paul salamai bauguette just edged into the top spot based on the perfect mix of flavours and the slightly more sophisticated presentation. It just can't be improved upon.

Both sandwiches are a real treat, though.

Oct 2nd 2007

A new Top 5 is coming soon

The Sausage and Bread Top 5 is in need of a major overhaul; several new establishments have emerged in the last few months and at least one has closed down.

So stay tuned for an updated Top 5...

The Sausage and Bread Blog Top 5 (Apr 24th 2007)

As per an earlier comment, here's the Sausage and Bread Top 5 list. Due to my location, I'm afraid the list can only really cover Soho and central London. So here goes...


5 - BAR BRUNO
The speed at which it's made is the secret to the sausage sandwich from this Soho institution.

4 - DOLCE CAFE
A better than average cafe and restaurant, with good quality ingredients.

3 - OLLY OLSON (Swedish Korv hot dog)
A hefty hot dog served with mashed potato on top.

2 - CAFE SOHO
Currently the best sausage sarnie in Soho. Review now up.

1 - PAUL (salami baguette)

Controversially, the Paul salami baguette is not what many would consider a 'real' sausage sandwich. You could go as for to say it's a bit 'fancy'. But I cannot fault this sandwich and it does fulfill the critieria. Great ingredients, great flavours. The Paul sandwich demonstrates what is so appealing about the sausage and bread combination.

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The idea of combining sausage with bread is a simple one but it can result in something quite spectacularly tasty. Making a truly great sausage takes skill, attention and great ingredients. The same goes for making really good bread. So, the marriage of a top quality sausage and top quality bread actually produces something rather special. It's a simple concept that has the potential to be something amazing, depending on how much thought and effort you put into it.