Unlike parts of the city where you can find a sandwich joint on almost every corner, Hugo’s Deli on Mornington’s Main Street is the first of its kind to hit the strip.
Known for its tuna melts with yuzu and shichimi, and its fried chicken sangas on cloud-like shokupan, the Richmond sandwich shop is a welcome addition to the Ninch.
The original Hugo’s Deli in Richmond has been drawing crowds for the past two years. But co-owner Jonathan Leondakis, who was raised on the Peninsula, wanted to bring a slice of Melbourne’s inner-city sandwich culture home. “You shouldn’t have to drive over an hour to see what it’s all about,” he tells Broadsheet.
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SUBSCRIBE NOWSo Leondakis, along with co-owners Jim Mavrogiannis and head chef Tayne Akyalcin, decided on a Hugo’s Deli pop-up that will be hanging around until the end of August.
The shopfront, located towards the beach end of the street and dripping in the signature Hugo’s burgundy red, is hard to miss. It’s taken over popular bakery The Butcher’s Daughters Cakes, which is off to a nearby location. Step inside and you’ll see Akyalcin at work making all the menu items from Richmond, except the fried mushroom sanga, from the much-loved fried chicken and classic Reuben to the mortadella on locally baked shokupan by Dromana favourite Miller’s Bread Kitchen.
If you’re coming in early, the brekky muffin will be waiting for you alongside coffee from The Bean Cartel. Plus, there’s a cold drinks fridge with grapefruit, mandarin and yuzu drinks from Ordinary Soda.
One-off specials like its infamous steak frites sanga are also in the pipeline, so keep your eyes peeled on its Instagram for more details.
Plus, the team is currently in the process of sourcing some sweet treats from local bakers.
If it’s a nice day, pull up a seat on the street-facing verandah, or under an umbrella on the footpath, the perfect people-watching spot.
Hugo’s Deli Pop-Up
37 Main Street, Mornington
Hours:
Wed to Sun 7am–2:30pm
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