The Sandwich Factory: not quite the American Dream…

A rather novel arrival at the Colombo restaurant scene, ‘The Sandwich Factory’ (TSF), has caused quite a buzz. So, The Nation decided that it was past time that TSF was put to the test. The Sandwich Factory is a rather unusual idea for Sri Lanka: The classic American diner experience. It isn’t that hard to miss since it’s just between Barnes and Rosmead Place on Wijerama Mawatha.

Ambience (4.0)

Yes, this is a rather low rating, but they don’t make it easy on themselves. It is extremely ironical, since a diner is one of the cheapest meals (apart from hotdog stands and similar stuff) to eat in America, almost like our ‘Matara bath kadeas’ and ‘Saiva (not saivar) kades,’ but here the tables are turned. An inclusive way to have food in one country is exclusivist in another; ironical indeed.

Anyway, the reason this was brought up is for the great displeasure that the ambience gives. Visually the place may look similar, but it’s far away from home. with a checkered floor, tabletop counter, and even the stainless steel plating, the place really does go out of its way to give you the feel. Sadly, there was something missing and you will feel it if you pay attention. The significance of American diners is the casual, egalitarian nature they embed and perhaps that vital ingredient when missing ruins the whole recipe.

Playing muted black and white movies on a large TV that no one pays attention to will not help anything but to drain the national power grid of electricity at time like this.
Something about the place made it feel sad, almost empty. The whole concept, when you look at it is almost a travesty; like penguins or polar bears in a tropical zoo.
Aren’t we all gullible for such things? Like, Godayata Majik.

Service (4.5)

What happens when you take a culturally-significant concept and try to alter it to local tastes? The diner experience drove on the friendly and warm waitress model. Even the movies have them. Now, take these friendly folk out of the picture and in comes the young pubescent boy with the faintest moustache to call himself a man. Add to this, the frustration of having to request the stuff that helps you eat the food. Let’s say, for example, the glass of water (tap water is perfectly fine) and ketchup.
Employment opportunities for the young are admirable, but when you’re trying to represent an idea, a concept, it’s always best to pay attention to the details. After all one would expect money to be spent for the experience of the concept as well as the food.

Food (4.5)

TSF has a wide array of options to choose from with favorites and vegetarian dishes marked specifically. However, just out of curiosity none of the favorites were tried out. Boy was the food very…. disappointing to put it simply. It was almost like the slums that border posh apartments – leave the bubble and reality hits you.

The Smoked Beef Submarine will forever be one of the biggest mistakes made in life. Admittedly, having a personal, almost nostalgic, predisposition to smoked beef led to that decision. Suffice to say, the taste was pure cacophony. The sauce could have used just a bit of sweet in it, and the beef could have had just a bit more salt, which brings the question, where on earth did it come from?? The subtle difference, some would say, made a world of difference – imagine the difference between munching tender rubber and cheese.

Ironically, there was something called a ‘Health Range” of sandwiches and burgers. Who would’ve known, someone came up with ‘healthy’ fast-food with details of the calories in each item too. Yet, the Trim Chicken, one such item, wasn’t that bad, and perhaps the best of the three food items tried.
Then there was the Cheese Chicken Burger. Yet another ordinary cheese burger with plenty of room for improvement.

Verdict:

I guess it’s safe to say that anything not marked ‘favorite’ is a good indication that you should stay away from. It doesn’t stand out like another burger joint that comes to mind. The whole vibe of the place felt very off, and so, I’m going to stay away from it.

Name: The Sandwich Factory

Cuisine: Fast Food

Price Range: Less than Rs.700