Hector's Deli - Eatability

The humble sandwich is the star at Hector’s Deli. Here fillings are freshly prepared and stuffed between a couple of slices right before your eyes. It’s a no fuss operation where the sanga is elevated to a lunchtime hero.

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Hector’s Deli

Locations: 1/94 Buckingham St, Richmond, VIC 3121 & 111 Moor St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065 & 253 Coventry St, South Melbourne, VIC 3205

A Sandwich is just a Sandwich, right?

Wrong.

Much like the current wave of Bagels shops sweeping across Melbourne and beyond (think Mile End Bagels, and NY influenced Bissel B.), there’s a huge gap between what most of us knock together in our kitchen and what the folks at Saul’s Sandwiches, Warkop, and Hector’s Deli are doing.

And I’m not just talking hipster-cool locations, old school decor and tattooed sandwich preppers. I mean seriously stacked, lush sandwiches with traditional fillings made with love, and new twists on tried and tested classic that actually improve on the original.

The Space

At the Richmond shop, Hector’s Deli is very much the lovechild of the neighbourhood corner milk bar.

Set on a quiet, attractive, inner suburban street, it’s a bold statement that this is the only food store in sight. But off the beaten track definitely doesn’t mean undiscovered. Whilst we wait for our sandwiches to be prepped, a steady stream of customers rock up. Clearly, we’re not the only ones who know a good butty when we see one.

There’s a service window to one side with the menu propped to the fore. Inside, the tiny establishment is given over entirely to food and coffee production. However, if you want to sit and enjoy your order on site, there are some simple stools and a bench table in the alley to the left of the shop. On a sunny day, it’s an appealingly bohemian prospect. In the middle of winter, the charms of al fresco dining might be less strong.

The Food

Sandwiches. With one Salad option for those who either don’t love bread – what is wrong with you?! – or might be gluten intolerant. Yes, sadly Hector’s Deli has no Gluten Free alternatives, as I write.

So, let’s get into those famous sandwiches. Divided into Toasted, Fried and Fresh, there’s quite a selection.

Our pick of the Fresh Sandwiches is the Roast Pork ($17). This beauty is a clever play on an Italian Porchetta, with Smoked Pork Shoulder, Pickled Fennel, Calabrian Chilli Paste & Kale Pesto. It’s smokey, spicy, tart, and the vibrant Kale Pesto is a genius addition.

Meanwhile, over on the Toasted Sandwiches tab, the HCT ($17) totally deserves a mention. Here, Mortadella (my current obsession), Provolone, Mozzarella and a spiky Tomato Chutney feature on toasted White Sourdough. It’s excellent.

That said, this time around, I opt for the Beef & Pickles ($17.5). Obviously, this is Hector’s Deli’s take on the Reuben. And it ticks all the boxes of that American diner classic. Juicy with Uncle’s Small Goods Beef Brisket, Mustard Pickle Spread, Dill Pickles & Kraut on Toasted Light Rye, I also splurge and add Cheese and Hector’s Sauce.

I was right to do so. The result is a glorious, gooey, savoury feast trapped in a crunchy flavoursome exterior.

And if the idea of ‘Fried Sandwiches’ alarms you, let me explain. It’s the interior (at least in part) that gets a dip in hot oil, not the whole roll.

At present, Hector’s Deli has 2 choices on its menu – the Fried Chicken and the Fried Mushroom. Honestly, the Fried Mushroom ($17) with Crumbed Mushroom, Tarragon Butter, Green Oak Lettuce & Hectic Sauce on a Steamed Potato Bun is a real belter. And it’s vegetarian too.

The Drinks

There’s a limited range – Still or Sparkling Water ($5) and Strange Love ($5.5) – plus Coffee.

Sadly, here is where I have to voice my only criticism of Hector’s Deli.

Having ordered a regular Coffee to go, I wished I hadn’t. Maybe the barrista was having an off-day, but what I got was weak and disappointing. More of a ‘warm beverage’ than a bracing cup of coffee. Hopefully, I was simply unlucky because…Well. This is Melbourne.