Toasties are an absolute Kiwi classic, and there’s a good reason for it! They’re simple and effective - you really can’t stuff up hot sammie.
But let’s be real, some toasties are just next level with their fancy, loaded fillings.
The Great Toastie Takeover is going down right now, and food joints around the motu are bringing their A-game. From your classic meaty melts to the fully loaded ‘Surf, Turf and Earth,’ there are some seriously meeeean sandwhiches in the running.
The top picks around Aotearoa have been announced by McClure's Pickles - so don't be shocked that EVERY toastie includes their pickles somewhere in the ingredients - with the Supreme Winner announced later this month.
From North to South, here are the top 14 toasties in NZ:
Cazador Deli - Auckland - Mt Eden
‘The Chilango’: Carnitas (heritage breed pork, fried and confit in its own fat), mild Mexican spices, smoked scamorza cheese, green salsa with McClure's Spicy Pickles, a dusting of 'sal de chapulin' chilli and cricket salt.
SOURCE: Toastie Takeover
Cheese on Toast - Auckland - Birkenhead, Newmarket, Three Kings
‘Spicy Meatball Melt’: Beef meatballs with caramelised onion, creamy chipotle, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, C.O.T’s signature cheese blend on house-made sourdough.
Capers Café & Store - Rotorua
‘Brotha Mmmm’: Hoisin-glazed pork belly with sweet chilli and garlic, McClure's Sweet & Spicy Pickles, crispy fried shallots, mozzarella, tasty cheese, spring onion, red onion, and miso mayonnaise on garlic-buttered Turkish sesame bread.
SOURCE: Toastie Takeover
Okere Falls Store - Rotorua
The Supreme Winner of 2022.
‘Figgy In the Middle’: Swiss cheese, pickle cheesecake mix, walnuts, figs, streaky bacon, rocket, chilli honey, blue cheese, and McClure's Pickles inside buttered sourdough, topped with grated parmesan.
Hayes Common - Hamilton East
‘Turkish Reubenstein’: Hayes corned beef and sauerkraut, McClure's Sweet & Spicy pickles, Swiss cheese, and hot sauce mayo on Turkish slab.
Jimmy Coops Lakehouse - Taupō
‘Smokey Mooloo’: Lakeman Farms low-and-slow house-smoked beef pastrami and short rib, grilled pineapple, melted provolone, McClure's Sweet & Spicy Pickles, Lakeman Stout BBQ Sauce, and beer mustard relish in a woodfired panini, topped with a deep-fried McClure's Dill Pickle Spear.
Brew Union - Palmerston North
‘The Smoked Chicken Ripper’: Slices of smoked chicken and McClure's Pickles smothered with beer and cheddar cheese sauce (Ripper NZ Pale Ale), folded through with spring onions and crispy crumbled pancetta, two slices of BABCO’s locally baked sourdough bread, served with a house-made caramelised onion mayo on the side.
SOURCE: Toastie Takeover
The Offering - Greytown
‘Beefy Melt’: Slow-cooked, house-smoked beef, The Offering four cheese blend, McClure’s Bread & Butter pickles, red onions, French mustard and house-made relish between two slices of house-made bread, served with fries on the side.
Small Batch Coffee - Petone
‘Crackle Belly Rosti Tosti’: House-smoked free-range pork belly in a maple and pickle juice glaze, kūmara rosti, house apple chutney, whipped Zany Zeus feta, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, and Massimo’s mozzarella on house-made sourdough focaccia.
SOURCE: Toastie Takeover
The Tasting Room - Wellington
‘Samun Melting Pot’: Chipotle pulled beef cheek, McClure's Sweet & Spicy Pickles, chimichurri salsa and cheddar cheese, on buttered toasted sourdough.
SOURCE: Toastie Takeover
Street Food on Washington - Nelson
‘The Pickled Philly’: Pickled pulled pork with chargrilled capsicum, onions, provolone, burger cheese and cheddar on Big Score pickled sourdough, served with a crumbed McClure's Pickle and pickled ranch.
BEERS Craft Brewery - Christchurch
‘Surf, Turf and Earth’: Lamb pastrami, McClure’s Pickles, three cheese blend and mushrooms, topped with a bacon-stuffed mussel and pickle gel on Bacon Bros bread.
SOURCE: Toastie Takeover
Fergbutcher - Arrowtown
‘The Texas Showdown’: Texan spiced beef brisket, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, house-made bourbon BBQ sauce, Emmental and cheddar cheeses, roquette, red onion, mustard aioli, and brown butter toasted on house-made turmeric ciabatta.
Johnny Crema - Queenstown
‘Welcome To The Club’: Shredded chicken, whipped cream cheese, house-made McClure’s Sweet & Spicy pickle juice béchamel sauce and Egmont cheese layered club-style between European Bakery bread and topped with more Sweet & Spicy Pickles.
Between the best pies around NZ and these top sammies, a road trip to smash through them all is definitely on the cards - my puku is rumbling as I'm thinking about it.
Which one is your top choice?!
