A few weeks ago, I met a guy named Thorsten and he asked me, kind of out of the blue, if I’d ever blogged about Dagwoods.
“No I haven’t,” I said. “But I definitely should.”
This conversation set into motion a sequence of events, which ultimately led me on a Dagwood mission with three architects to a corner shop in Brixton called Peter’s Food Centre.
Notes on Dagwoods
When I began this process, I had never eaten a Dagwood sandwich and in fact had no idea what a Dagwood actually is. I assumed the Dagwood was of South African origin, as I can’t recall having seen one on a menu before moving here. I only knew Dagwoods are cheap, messy, unhealthy sandwiches — a South African specialty.
But the Dagwood is an American invention, as it turns out. According to Wikipedia: “A Dagwood sandwich is a tall, multilayered sandwich made with a variety of meats, cheeses, and condiments. It is named after Dagwood Bumstead, a central character in the comic strip Blondie, who is frequently illustrated making enormous sandwiches.” The Dagwood originated in the 1930s and had its American heyday in the mid-20th century. But like many mid-century American pop culture trends, South Africa adopted the Dagwood and it has persisted here until current times.
While the American Dagwood seems to feature large quantities of deli meat and cheese, the South African Dagwood is basically a bacon cheeseburger topped with a fried egg and multiple sauces. Dagwoods are popular fixtures on South African fast food menus — I’ve seen them at Wimpy and Steers. Most South African roadhouses sell Dagwoods. I’ve been meaning to write a story on South African roadhouses for years, but until I do here is a placeholder from the Citizen.
So, that’s what a Dagwood is. This brings me back to lunchtime yesterday at Peter’s Food Centre, where I went with Thorsten and his colleagues, Ollie and Simon.
Peter’s Food Centre
The star of this post is actually not the Dagwoods but Peter’s Food Centre itself. I was enchanted by this shop. Walking into Peter’s takes you straight back to a bygone era.
I took lots of pictures.
We met an elderly man sitting at the window at the front of the shop. I asked if he’s Peter. He said no, he’s “Peter 2” — the manager of the shop. I learned later that his actual name is Jack, he’s originally from Cyprus, and he has been working at Peter’s for 50 years. The shop itself, according to Jack/Peter 2, is 80 years old.
We ordered our Dagwoods. There were three options: the Bacon Dagwood, the Jumbo Dagwood, and the Jumbo Bacon Dagwood. I was unclear on the difference between the last two options but decided to go for the Jumbo Bacon Dagwood because why the hell not. We all ordered slap chips (soggy fries — the natural accompaniment to every messy South African sandwich) with salt and vinegar.
We walked back to Thorsten’s office, where the architects all work, and laid out the Dagwoods. We discovered the main difference between the regular Dagwood and the Jumbo Dagwood is the regular one is on toast and the jumbo one is on a larger, round roll. I’m pretty sure all four sandwiches were otherwise the same.
We ate.
Here is my assessment: I enjoyed the Dagwood experience and appreciated that these sandwiches are relatively easy to eat compared to other messy South African sandwiches, like the bunny chow and the kota.
But I felt like there was something lacking in my sandwich, and I realized later it was the bread. I think it would have tasted better, and felt more like a real Dagwood, on toast rather than a roll.
The next time I go to Peter’s Food Centre — which I definitely will — I’m getting the regular Bacon Dagwood. But this was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend regardless, if only for the opportunity to take pictures and chat with Jack/Peter 2. He says he’s going to retire soon so don’t delay.
Thanks Thorsten, Ollie, and Simon for a lovely afternoon.
DID YOU EAT ALL OF THAT???
Hahahaha. I ate MAYBE half.
I worked there 25 years ago.Did Jack tell you if Peter retired?
My favourite was a fatcake dagwood as it tastes better than on bread and its more filling too.
Oh wow that’s so cool! Not sure about Peter’s retirement. We stopped in there a couple of months ago and the stock was really low…I wondered at the time if they where getting ready to close 🙁 I need to go check.
But the men all basically finished theirs.
I’ve just been informed Thorsten ate the second half of my Dagwood for lunch today.
There’s something special about old-style takeaways or roadhouse food.
Way back when (about 2008?) I used to go to Clan’s Meat Market in Jules St, Malvern, and get their Cleveland Burger. This burger was about 25cm in diameter, and came with steak, two patties, and all the other stuff. If I remember correctly, it was about R35 for that plus a Coke. They were amazing. No idea what they’re like nowadays though.
Hmm, I’ll have to investigate!
I’m sure Clan’s are still there, that burger would feed myself and my two kids. Always came in a cakebox.
Hahaha, that’s so funny!
Sorry , not what I call real food????
Well. It’s more about the place than the food.
Yes, I agree????
Since we have our bikes we try to explore the city and your blogs are making the choice where to go not very easy 🙂 But I enjoy reading this and already wrote this shop down on my to-bike-list for 2021…….. This Dagwood looks amazing and much better then the Wimpy kind of dagwood…… mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
y the Way how is your book? Already started writing or still in the thinking phase?
Ah, enjoy! The book process kind of ebbs and flows 🙂
I make Dagwoods at home often. In fact, I just made some yesterday. But I use a beef patty and French polony as the meat components. 🙂
That’s awesome — your kids must love that!
I love a good sandwich blog. Can you get a Cuban in Joburg? My favourite.
Hmm, I think Cubans are hard to come by in these parts.
so funny, I remember the name of a dagwood sandwich but I don’t think anyone serves them here. I found this:
https://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Sandwiches/DagwoodSandwich.htm
Hahaha, great description.
Dagwood! How funny, I do remember reading/ seeing him and his sandwiches in the comics section of The Washington Post a million years ago. Amazing that he lives on in South Africa.
Strange things like that have a way of resurfacing here.
Lol, I got waay in my feelings when I read the description for slap chips “Soggy fries.” Smh ???? ????
Hahaha. But that’s what they are ???? In all seriousness though I mean no offense – I just find it the best way to describe them for an American audience. ????????????
Hahaha, it started a whole debate in our household that basically ended with “but where is the lie?” ????
You forgot to mention the Stoney!
Also, the old sign is super charming. I especially love the apostrophe!
Hahaha, yes! I did want to mention the Stoney but also didn’t want to deviate too far from the topic at hand. I actually LOVE Stoney and should probably devote an entire post to it at some point. And you’re right — that is a very cool apostrophe.
Stoney is really sweet, so much sugar. But, what else would go with a corner cafe dagwood?
Definitely nothing else.