As Aussies tighten their belts with ongoing cost of living pressures, The Last Local pub owner Mickey Phull is backing quality over compromise with his award nominated steak sandwich.
Mr Phull believes his $31 crunch sandwich delivers value for money with a scotch fillet served on toasted sourdough with crispy bacon, crunchy onions, smoky aioli, rocket, tomato, melted cheese and chips.
“We prioritise quality cuts of meat and quality products, and we know we aren’t a necessity. People choose to come and eat at our restaurant, so we want to offer the best we can,” he said.
“It is a scary world we are all living in, but we haven’t raised our prices.”
Mr Phull’s restaurant is one of four finalists in the AHAWA-run battle for Perth’s best steak sandwich, with the top four venues participating in a live cook-off on July 1.
Camera IconThe finalists have been announced for WA’s best steak sandwich. Credit: Stuart Quinn/The West Australian
The other pubs in the running for the title showcase everything from slow-braised beef ribs to premium scotch fillet and picanha in their sambos.
Hamilton Hill’s Carrington’s Bar and Grill has entered a Scotch fillet sandwich served on toasted Turkish panini with bacon, Swiss cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, gherkin, BBQ chimichurri aioli and tomato relish, finished with a jalapeño cheeseball and chips.
At Sorrento Beach Club, chefs have opted for an MB2+ O’Connor picanha steak on ciabatta with creamy entrecôte sauce, crispy red onions and parmesan, while the Stirling Arms Hotel in Guildford has put forward a slow-braised beef rib sandwich layered with mustard onions, pecorino, air-dried salted tomatoes, sweet pickles and rocket on house-made focaccia.
Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods said the standard of entries continued to rise each year.
“Every year we see venues and chefs push the boundaries with creativity, quality and fangability,” he said.
“The steak sandwich is a true pub classic but in WA it has become an iconic showcase of the talent and passion within our industry.”
Camera IconThe Last Local in Canning Vale has been named a finalist in the AHA and Little Creatures WA’s Best Steak Sandwich competition. Owner Mickey Phull, Venue Manager Lisa Culling and Bartender Daisy Benson-Cuttriss Stuart Quinn Credit: Stuart Quinn/The West Australian
He said that cost-of-living pressures means that a great steak sandwich is one of the best-value meals you can enjoy at your local pub.
“(Sandwiches) delivers quality, generosity and a genuine meal experience without breaking the budget,” he said.
Judges assess entries on meat tenderness, presentation, originality, sauces, flavour, value and accompanying sides.
SEE THE FULL LIST BELOW:
COUNTRY WA VENUES
Brugan Brewery/Wokalup Tavern – $36Exchange Hotel, Pinjarra – $32Settlers Tavern, Margaret River – $33Spinifex Brewery Cable Beach – $34
PERTH METROPOLITAN VENUES
Carrington’s Bar and Grill, Hamilton Hill – $30Sorrento Beach Club – $34Stirling Arms Hotel, Guildford – $31The Last Local, Canning Vale – $31