Sad news for Richmond sandwich lovers: it’s the end of the road for American-style sanga shop and bar Big Dog’s Deli.

“We thought we better confirm the rumours,” the team wrote on Instagram last night. “After six amazing years, Big Dog’s will be calling last sangas on November 6, 2022.”

“In the quest for a balanced life for our family and to pursue a new challenge, we’ll be moving regional and swapping sandwich making for events,” the post goes on. “Watch this space for more news on this.”

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Emely Donegan opened the deli on Lennox Street in 2016 and it became a local go-to, particularly for the Captain: a hulking toasted-rye sandwich filled with house-made pastrami, Swiss cheese, the team’s own sauerkraut and Russian dressing. And, unlike most of Melbourne’s other sandwich spots, it carved out a niche by also serving booze.

The idea came from Donegan’s time spent travelling, working and cooking in America (particularly Los Angeles and Portland), and was named after her brother – “the big dog” – with whom she developed the concept. And she ran it in tandem with her partner Jente van Beek.

“All we ever wanted was to create a place where quality was everything, with a strong community at the heart, and we couldn’t be prouder as we bid farewell. What a dream to have a bunch of customers that literally feel more like good mates.”

It’s fitting the team plans to go out with a bang as big as those pastrami sangas. “We will be partying hard on the 6th so DM to enquire for a table before they get snapped up.”

Big Dog’s Deli is closing on Sunday November 6.

bigdogsdeli.net