Bread Winner brings big sandwich energy to Kingscliff
Tucked just a few sandy steps from the shoreline in Kingscliff, Bread Winner Sandwiches isn’t your average sandwich slinger – it’s an ode to craftsmanship, culture and community. The newly opened venue is the brainchild of Kyle Mapp and Reuben Kremer, two stay-at-home dads turned hospitality entrepreneurs. Bread Winner is rooted in the belief that the humble sandwich can be elevated to something extraordinary. And judging by the opening week buzz, they’re absolutely right. Take a peek …
Once a humble street-side staple, the banh mi has firmly cemented its place as a cult favourite in the global sandwich scene. Across cities and coasts, from hole-in-the-wall bakeries to high-end eateries, everyone seems to have a go-to spot – and an opinion. Whether you swear by the perfect crunch of the bread, the tang of pickled veg or the rich smear of pate, there’s something about a good banh mi that inspires near-religious devotion. It’s this level of passion and detail that drives the menu at Bread Winner Sandwiches, where the beloved Vietnamese icon is treated with the kind of reverence it deserves.
Each sandwich on the succinct, six-item menu at Bread Winner is a carefully constructed flavour experience. The crispy pork banh mi is already a standout favourite – served on fresh Vietnamese bread, layered with house-pickled daikon and carrot, house-made aioli, coriander (generously piled, but easily removable for the coriander-averse) and a punchy pork liver pate. The real star is the in-house confit pork belly, which is finished with a crunch of pork crackling and a drizzle of house-made nuoc cham spiked with lime, sugar and fish sauce. “We’ve eaten a lot of banh mi over the years,” says Reuben. “We took our research seriously.”
Not to be overshadowed is the meatball sub, featuring a recipe developed by Kyle. It’s a slow-braised pork and beef meatball mix, simmered in Kyle’s signature vodka sauce, then topped with scamorza, basil and grilled under a salamander until molten. Then – and here’s the real kicker – it’s wrapped in foil to steam slightly, softening the roll just enough to soak in all that saucy richness without sacrificing crunch.
Other highlights include the salumi focaccia loaded with sopressa, mortadella, stracciatella and a smoky nduja-pecorino cream, and the unexpected fan favourite – the roasted brussel roll, which layers crisp brussels sprouts with guajillo romesco, salsa verde and crispy eschallots on a golden olive oil roll. “It’s our sleeper hit,” Reuben laughs. “Even the most skeptical meat eaters are converted.”
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At the heart of Bread Winner, is Kyle and Reuben and their obsession with really excellent sandwiches. Both with young families and partners working in emergency medicine, the pair bonded over food and fatherhood, eventually trading their stay-at-home-dad gig for sandwich prep and early morning bread runs. Kyle brings serious chef cred from time at Byron’s beloved Fig Tree and La Casita, while Reuben, a former business teacher, brings the energy of someone who’s been dreaming about opening a sandwich shop for years.
The pair handled the entire fit-out themselves alongside their good pal Jason who helped them out, giving the space a distinctly warm and grounded feel. Think rich timber panelling and a subtle 70s-inspired colour palette that feels nostalgic without being kitsch. A clutch of tightly spaced tables adds a casual, communal charm, while a takeaway bench invites customers to perch while waiting. Outside, a breezy alfresco setup catches the morning sun and the salt air from beach, just a few steps away. Once their liquor license is approved, you can expect taps pouring local craft beer from friends at Spangled Drongo and Earth Brewery, plus a curated takeaway range.
When asked the all-important question, why sandwiches, Reuben replied with a grin, “It doesn’t matter what part of the world you’re in, from South America to Southeast Asia, I think every country has a brilliant sandwich and we want to be able to showcase that from this location.”
Bread Winner Sandwiches is now open! Head to The Directory for opening times.