The very best take-away sandwiches in the country (Philpott's Sandwich Shops)

Member Name: dmandrew

Product:	Philpott's Sandwich Shops
Date:	19/08/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fabulous sandwiches freshly made in front of you

Disadvantages: None at all

As I live in Shropshire, I go to Shrewsbury quite often. If I do, I always like to have an excuse to have lunch there, but don't like to spend too much. If I haven't organised myself to bring my own, then I console myself with the thought that Philpott's Sandwich Shop is there.

Philpotts Limited is based in Chester and has sandwich shops in Brimingham (4), Bristol (3), Chester, Edinburgh, Leeds (2), Liverpool (2), Manchester (5), Nottingham, Sheffield and Shrewsbury. I only know about the one in Shrewsbury but am confident that all the others will be just as good.

If you visit in person, then there is usually a queue, but it's not too long before you get served, as they are well staffed. That does give you just enough time to study the menu board behind the counter. It's crammed with lovely sandwich ideas, and you are glad you came!

Here is a typical selection, though they do ring the changes frequently:

Avocado Bacon
Egg & Cress
Avocado Prawns
Egg & Crispy Bacon
Avocado Salad
Ham & Cheddar
Avocado & Cream Cheese
Salami & Mozzarella
Prawn Salad
Coronation Chicken
Oak Smoked Salmon
Chicken Bacon Avocado
Oak Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese
Chicken Bacon & Stuffing
Chicken Bacon Sweetcorn Chutney
Chicken BLT
Tuna Savoury
Chicken Tikka
Tuna Sweetcorn
Roast Chicken Salad
Tuna Low Cal & Salad
Roast Turkey Salad
Tuna Mediterranean
Turkey Bacon & Stuffing
Turkey Bacon Emmenthal
Brie Bacon & Cranberry
Brussels Pate & Salad
Cheddar Salad
Ham Salad
Emmenthal Salad
Roast Beef Salad
Cheddar & Chutney Pastrami Mustard and Dill Pickle
Three Cheese Savoury Pastrami & Stilton with Green Chilli Mayo

You can have these on brown or white bread or rolls or on ciabatta, with butter or olive oil, and there are options on about ten relishes - salt, pepper, mustard, cranberry, etc.

The sandwiches are made freshly for you and you watch them being made. I think that' really important, as you can see for yourself how good the food is and how clean everything is. The lady or gentleman serving you keeps asking whether you would like this or that - raisins, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, and so on - and assembles everything for you without ever dropping anything or skimping on the serving. I don't know how they get it all in the sandwich but they do. It doesn't take long, as all of the ingredients are in little bowls, clearly visible in a glass case.

Sandwiches are made with two pieces of bread, which are then expertly but for you into two triangles and put in a smart paper bag, together with a paper serviette. All this costs you about £3, about the same as you would be charged in a moderately cheap motorway services, but a thousand times nicer. Everything I have had there tastes fantastic, and feels really good for you.

Philpotts also makes delicious soup, and for about a pound you can have a cup of this, which is really nice to do on a cold day. At Shrewsbury, there are not any facilities in the shop for sitting down, but that is not a problem as it's a good town for sitting outside, and the River Severn is not far away.

If you work near to a Philpott's, you can order your sandwiches in advance. I have never needed to do this, but note on their website that there is a fax order form. They open early, so will provide you with sandwiches for breakfast.

If you are going to any of the towns and cities listed above, give Philpott's a try.

Summary: Easily the best sandwiches and the best value anywhere