Words by Della Vreeland
It seems there’s a bit of a fad going on around Ballarat of late. And it has to do with the good old sanga.
A few spaces are opening up around the traps serving up the grab-and-go meal, with Pat’s Sandwiches being the latest culprit.
Co-owner Thom Mitchell says the deli, currently operating as a pop-up shop in the middle of town, is named after his Nan Patricia who was a publican, excellent cook and dessert queen.
‘She has always been the North Star of what I believe true hospitality is about when it comes to food – care and nourishment,’ Thom says. ‘She passed that down to her family and, in a way, I see us continuing that at Pat’s. My mum Diane will be alongside me in the sandwich kitchen.’
Thom recently made the move back to Ballarat from Melbourne and takes the reins at Pat’s with co-owner Jonny Driver. The duo hopes to deliver a tight menu of five-to-six core sandwiches with the occasional special, served alongside a warming Proud Mary brew.
‘The core items will rotate and change slightly with the seasons, depending on what produce is abundant,’ Thom says. ‘Proud Mary coffee will be available as well as a rotating batch brew filter. Classic fizzy drinks and juices too of course.’
With ingredients sourced locally where possible as well as homemade pickles, ferments, relishes and sauces, Pat’s is certain to be a CBD haunt frequented by all those in search of a healthy yet Insta-worthy lunch.
While the deli launched last week in Ballarat’s Midtown Cellars, it hopes to open its permanent space asap in a shipping container down one of the city’s elusive laneways.
‘We see Pat’s as unique in that it will operate as a canteen for the city. A kind of CBD tuck shop,’ Thom says.
We will be takeaway only, so it’s grab and go.
‘A sandwich shop in a 20-foot shipping container tucked away down a bluestone alleyway, so it’s not your regular cafe experience. We love the idea of making use of the more hidden nooks and crannies of Ballarat.’
THE DETAILS
WHAT: Pat’s Sandwiches
WHERE: Pop-up at Midtown Cellars and Bar, 405 Sturt St, Ballarat Central
FIND OUT MORE: Pats Sandwiches
We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
