In a quirky turn of events, a South African restaurant in Cape Town recently made headlines by serving up a colossal 3-meter-long sandwich, adding to its repertoire of supersized offerings. The massive submarine sandwich, crafted by Annies Ladies Bar, boasted an impressive 10 layers of fillings and weighed a hefty 65.27 kilograms. The creation, which took over four hours to prepare and cost approximately $160 for ingredients, featured a diverse array of components including tomatoes, various meats like sausage, steak, burger patties, and chicken fillets, as well as layers of french fries, calamari, and onion rings, all nestled within three specially baked 1-meter-long bread rolls.
The sandwich, a larger-than-life take on the traditional South African takeaway meal known as the Gatsby, pays homage to its roots in Cape Town dating back to the mid-1970s. The Gatsby typically consists of 'slap chips' (sloppy french fries) and meat stuffed into a chunky bread roll, designed to be shared among multiple diners. The name 'Gatsby' is said to have originated from the release of 'The Great Gatsby' movie around that time.
Following the success of a mammoth burger creation in 2019, the idea for the colossal Gatsby emerged during a casual conversation at Annies Ladies Bar. The owner, Joe Redelinghuys, spearheaded the project, aiming to create the largest Gatsby sandwich in South Africa. While the sandwich may not break world records, it is set to be recognized as the country's biggest Gatsby, with plans underway to secure official acknowledgment from South African record authorities.
After the gargantuan Gatsby was completed, it was shared with regular patrons of the bar, feeding approximately 140 people. The event turned into a social gathering as clients invited friends to partake in the unique culinary experience, showcasing the community spirit fostered by Annies Ladies Bar.
While the title for the world's largest sandwich remains held by a grill in Michigan for a colossal 2,467-kilogram creation, the South African eatery's endeavor adds a touch of whimsy and creativity to the local dining scene, delighting patrons with its innovative and larger-than-life offerings.
