Just a short stroll from Cooks River, surrounded by sporting ovals, sits Ol’ Mates. The lively little sandwich joint – just over the Marrickville border in Earlwood – is owned by brothers James and Nick Retsas, the lads behind Frank & Chitch, a mainstay in Earlwood proper.

The light-filled space is welcoming, with huge windows surrounding terrazzo benchtops and floors. The Retsas boys both spent time on the tools designing the space then fitting it out themselves. The result is a tidy and sleek suburban spot, helmed by friendly staff in crisp white tees.

Most Ol’ Mates sandwiches are on schiacciata, a Tuscan flatbread that’s focaccia but a bit thinner and chewier. The guys get their bread from Kirrawee’s Thoroughbread Bakery and their meat from Whole Beast Butchery just down the road. Coffee is by Allpress.

The top hits on the sandwich line-up are hefty classics: the Schnitzel and the Deli. On the latter, sopressa salami and mortadella meet rocket, tomato, provolone, with peppers for heat, while the Schnitzel stars buttermilk-crumbed chook with lettuce, pickles, cheese and house-made Ol’ Mates sauce.