The FARANG Speaks 2 Much (tfs2m)

Eating while out doing the town on Walking Street has always been a problem for me. Not much in the way of food other than the sit-down seafood restaurants. Most times I’m looking for a quick meal so I can get started on my evening, or it’s late late and I’m ready to chew on my shoe.

The choices always boil down to the kebab stands (iffy food and sure-fire heartburn in morning), McDonald’s (too far to walk), Hamburger Denmark (too greasy), Secrets (place in general spoils my appetite) and the ever reliable street BBQ, which just gets boring.  So imagine my reaction when I found out that Mr. Sandwich, a relatively new burger/pizza/sandwich joint, was actually good.

Mr. Sandwich, run by an Italian guy named Stefano, sits just outside the entrance to Coyotee’s a Go Go and on the spot where the ill-fated Bondi Burgers place was. Never ate at Bondi and never saw any customer there. It looked like an outgrowth of the go-go itself and that turned myself off and obviously others. 

In fact, Stefano said he intentionally made his place look separate from Coyotees becasue Walking Street gets lots of tourists (read Indians, Russians and Chinese) that shy away from go-gos. By distancing himself from the go-go, he figures he can do better.

What it comes down to in the end, however, is food and his menu is different. He offers about 10 different types of Italian panini sandwiches on fresh toasted bread. There’s pizza, by the slice or a whole pie, plus several pasta dishes. Then there’s the burgers.

The first time I bit into one, I thought I got the wrong thing. It wasn’t your regular ground beef inside. I thought maybe he was using buffalo or ostrich or something definatley not hamburger. Turns out the burngers are made of honest-to-God steak choped up and formed back togther again.

The burger is then put onto a fresh bun and pressed into the panini toaster. What comes out is not only hot and toasty, but stronger and with a different taste and consistency than your regular hamburger, with very little grease. My fave is the Super Burger, with bacon, salad, and egg.

French fries, made to order, as well as other side dishes including salad and even chicken wings are also available.

This isn’t high-end dining were talking here. You sit on the street, basically, in high barstools that, along with the tables, are never really level nor stable due to the pavement under them. Also, it seems the Thais have blown out the new sound system. That doesn’t stop them from still trying to play rap music through now distorted speakers.

Also, as per the norm in Thailand, the quality is better when the boss is in the house. Last night he was not and the bacon was undercooked (sent it back), and the fries could have been left in the oil longer. And because they cook everything on the spot for you, it’s definitely not the fastest place around.

But still, if you’re looking for a good, tasty solid meal at more than reasonable prices (160 for burger, fries and coke), then stop by and say hello to Mr. Sandwich.