What is the big deal about finding a good beef sandwich? Does it have to do with the fact that beef as a meat requires some tact to be perfectly cooked? You can’t just marinate and throw it on a pan or in an oven and call it a day. It requires attention to detail, an enthusiasm in fact. You have to cook it almost as if you are playing a musical instrument – with pauses and acceleration and with the knowledge of when.
In a city like Karachi, where you have to work with scale and volume, it’s hard to find that enthusiasm to detail and yet, we found you a list of the best beef sandwiches of Karachi.
The Best Beef Sandwiches Of Karachi [2022]
1.
Steak Au Poivre by
Mamiche
Mamiche is Easy re-branded but it is the new menu which is worth the conversation. The ‘Steak Au Poivre’ sandwich here (if they stay consistent) is one of the greats on this list. It gets beef, bread, add-ons just right. The add-ons are: garlic mushrooms, caramelised onions, gouda cheese in crusty sourdough baguette and the steak doesn’t get camouflaged. A home-run. (Again – if they are able to keep it this way).
Price: Rs. 1,810 + tax.
Here is Mamiche by Easy’s menu.
2.
The Cubano by Test Kitchen
Test Kitchen is known as THE place for all things beef and sandwiches. It has a wide range of beef sandwiches on offer. One of the earliest things we liked there was this Kale, Steak and Buffalo Mozzarella Sandwich in a Focaccia. The sautéed kale brought personality, the mozzarella added juice and comfort and the steak, substance. However, in recent times it is the Cubano which has stood out as a winner. It has beef, melted cheese, pickles pressed between crispy slices of bread. It is simple, no-frills and yet really filling and satisfying.
A lot of people order their shaved beef sandwich too, and there is joy in figuring out what works for you.
Price: Rs.1395 + tax
Get it from Test Kitchen.
3.
The Roastwich by
Fiz and Bob
Fiz and Bob is a small sandwich takeaway shop in Khayaban-e-Badar, run by a husband-wife duo. How does this place make it so high up in the list? It’s because of the way they do the meat. The Roastwich, in particular, which has this thinly sliced, savoury shaved beef. It’s almost melt-in-your-mouth with their house dijon mustard, crunchy ciabatta and rocket leaves. You don’t need much else, but you might have two of these sandwiches in one go. It is also getting a few points for ease of ordering and the fact that it doesn’t require you to wait in line.
In recent times, the meat has started to get overshadowed a bit by the sauces but its still a pretty rad sandwich and comparatively cheaper to our first two options.
Price: Rs. 975 + tax.
4.
Steak and Chimichurri Sandwich by Loco
One of the few things we dislike about a beef sandwich is the moment when they are too saucy. When the sauce is dripping and heavy, almost mayo-like and hides the quality and texture of beef underneath. Maybe even makes the bread soggy. No.
We are mentioning this here because the Steak and Chimichurri sandwich by Loco has perfectly averted that situation. The chimichurri sauce is zesty and brings brightness to a cheesy beef sandwich. One other thing Loco is really under-rated for is its bread – easily surpasses Esquire’s and Paul and kind of even at par with Test.
The steak was a medium – though had a little chew on it – which was balanced out by the overall heftiness of the sandwich.
Price: Rs.1,435 + tax
Get this at Loco.
5.
The Capo by Famous O's
The Capo at Famous O’s has roast beef, chimichurri, mustard and arugula. Possibly, a fool-proof combination of ingredients, if there was one and yet, it does tend to get a bit dry. The mustard kick whenever present takes it up a notch but that’s pretty much the level of excitement the sandwich reaches. A good, solid sandwich – just not in the big three.
Price: Rs. 1327 + tax
6.
Flying Sauce Sandwich by Espresso
The Flying Saucer Sandwich at Espresso looks unpretentious and homely but it is unexpectedly SOLID. It doesn’t use artisanal bread but maybe it doesn’t need to. It has hunter beef, capsicum and a sharp mustard sauce that we really appreciated. Also the serving size: You get 4 sandwiches (2 you can see in the photo and there were 2 more).
So quite the under-dog in this list.
Price: Rs. 795 + tax
Get it from Espresso.
7.
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich by Esquire's
Our experience with the beef sandwiches at Esquire’s hasn’t been stellar even though all their sandwiches are recommended to us a lot. We have tried their hunter beef sandwich which was a bit dry and missing any additional flavour that could build it up and then we recently tried their Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich which had an overly salted sauce that ruined the overall flavour of it. The bread is not as sturdy as that you’d get at Test or Loco or Pinch & Co, but it’s better than white, sliced bread, of course.
Putting them in the list because they have potential and they have a great starting point, just need to go for the home-run with a few tweaks.
Price: Rs. 950 + tax
Get it from Esquire’s.
8.
Steak and Chimichurri Bites by Evergreen
This is not exactly a sandwich. These are bite-sized baguette slices topped with steak and chimichurri. It is something that we order almost always at Evergreen and it does satiate maybe a mini-beef sandwich craving. The steak and chimichurri here is spot on and we wouldn’t complain if it ends up in the menu as a full-fledged sandwich too.
For now, we will take what they have. Lol.
Price: Rs.1020 + Tax
Get it from Evergreen.
So there you have it. A list of some of the best beef sandwiches you can have in Karachi.
Which one is your favourite? Did we miss one that you’d like added? Let us know in the comments below!
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Classic roast beef by butchers steak house deserves a spot here – its the best!
Thanks for the recc! Will try it