London's culinary landscape has welcomed a vibrant new contender aiming to solve a familiar problem: the search for a truly great sandwich. Tommy's Sandwiches, an American-style deli, has thrown its hat into the ring from a prime spot just minutes from King's Cross station.
Founded by Washington native and Subway veteran Tom Ady, the venture is a direct response to what he perceives as a city full of underwhelming 'sarnies'. His solution? 'Big, beautiful' subs, loaded with high-quality meats, fresh vegetables, and generous lashings of sauce.
From Tired Café to California Cool
The deli occupies a unit that was, until very recently, a dated Italian café. The transformation is striking. The interior now channels a California cool vibe, with Pacific blue walls and decor nodding to San Francisco, Snoop Dogg, and even a Kardashian.
A skylight floods the compact space with natural light, while a mix of communal benches and high tables fosters a chatty, communal atmosphere. Despite its size, the setup cleverly avoids feeling overcrowded.
The Main Event: Subs That Stand Up
The heart of the operation is the sandwich-making line, where Tommy himself is often found meticulously crafting each order. The menu features a concise but tempting selection of hefty subs.
The signature Tommy's Club (£12) packs in turkey, ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, mayo, and honey mustard dressing. Other highlights include The Mafia (£13) with turkey and spicy salami, the roast beef-filled Rainier (£13), and the Del Pozzo (£12), which combines chicken with blue cheese and buffalo sauce.
Vegetarians currently have one dedicated option: the mozzarella and pesto-heavy Hoon (£10), though a second sandwich featuring a harissa chickpea spread is reportedly in development.
The real test comes with the first bite. The handmade Dutch Crunch roll (known locally as tiger bread) performs heroically, containing the mountain of fillings without a fatal structural collapse. The meats, roasted in-house, are moist and flavourful, the bacon achieves a perfect crisp, and the cheese melts beautifully.
Even the avocado, which might seem an unusual addition, provides a welcome creaminess that complements the tangy dressings. Remarkably, the fresh salad retains its crunch amidst the sauciness, completing a genuinely impressive eating experience.
Teething Problems and Final Verdict
It's not without its early hiccups. During a recent visit, the wait time was on the longer side, making it less ideal for a snatched pre-train snack. However, given that the doors only fully opened a matter of days ago, this is likely a teething issue that will be resolved as operations smooth out.
Accompaniments like potato salad and macaroni salad beckon for a return visit, promising a full deli experience.
In summary, Tommy's Sandwiches makes a very strong debut. It's a labour of love that delivers on its promise of a superior, generously filled sandwich. For those tired of London's sandwich disappointments, this American-inspired spot near King's Cross is a novel and very welcome addition.
Tommy's Sandwiches is located at 201 King's Cross Road, WC1X 9DB. It is open daily from 11am until 4pm.
