World's first crisp sandwich shop becomes a reality

 
Lunchtime treat: a bikers bap is prepared during the opening of crisp sandwich shop Simply Crispy (Picture: PA)
Standard Reporter13 January 2015

The “world’s first” crisp sandwich shop is the latest quirky café to open its doors to customers.

Simply Crispy, located in Belfast, sold out of sandwiches within two hours of opening after crowds of people queued to sample the culinary delights.

The pop-up cafe offering 35 different flavours opened following a spoof suggestion by the Ulster Fry satirical website in the wake of the Cereal Killer Café opening in London.

To make the sandwiches, a precarious-looking pile of crisps is quickly compressed with a crunch by two weighty slabs of thickly-buttered white bread known as a Belfast bap, which is approaching burned and relatively tough on the top, but fluffy on the inside.

Customer Nerys Coleman, 32, from Belfast said: "It is something from your childhood. I have not had a crisp sandwich since university and before that childhood so it is bringing back the nostalgia."

Despite one curious passer-by putting her head through the door and asking: "Are you for real?", owner Andrew McMenamin, 35, from west Belfast, said it was a serious business venture.

Hunger pangs: Andrew McMenamint during the opening of his crisp sandwich shop Simply Crispy (Picture: PA)

"I have been told it is the world's first," he said.

He said a Belfast bap and Tayto cheese and onion were the most popular choices.

"It is a school thing, people remember it from their school days, it is a classic and it is old-school."

Mr McMenamin, who owns That Wee Cafe, offered to transform his business when he read the spoof online. It is expected to run for three or four weeks.

Customers were able to choose their bread, crisps and add cheese or ham to their sandwich, served with tomato soup and chips.

On the menu at 8 Bedford Street are intriguing combinations that include traditional flavours such as prawn cocktail and spring onion, alongside Monster Munch and Frazzles.

Ms Coleman, who works for a firm specialising in foreign direct investment data, said she would not call every day but added lunch cost her around £3.

Quirky café: a woman sits in the Simply Crispy sandwich café in Belfast (Picture: Reuters)

"We just decided to come round to lunch for the novelty - but we really like crisps as well."

She had smoky bacon flavour in a Belfast bap with chips.

"It is lovely, I think it is good and I would probably come back if I had a notion for a sandwich."

She said she liked the convenience - despite the obvious health issues.

Tayto, a Northern Ireland-based crisp manufacturer which is one of the largest distributors in the UK, provides most of the crisps "due to its large variety", but Walkers is also represented.

Mr McMenamin added: "We are riding on the back of the publicity the cereal cafe got in London, if it helps us and Ulster Fry then it is a good thing."

The idea has been credited to comedy writer Seamus O'Shea and his writing partner Billy McWilliams, who run the Ulster Fry website.

The Cereal Killer Cafe opened in Brick Lane, London, last year and sells classics like Rice Krispies. It was established by Belfast twins Alan and Gary Keery.

Mr McMenamin would not be drawn on the long term prospects for his own novel venture.

"It is certainly play it by ear, hopefully it will rekindle childhood memories of Belfast baps," he said.

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