Marrickville - Home of the Pork Roll

By Sammy Blades-Moore

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Marrickville is known for many things... breweries, live music and the mighty Vietnamese Bánh Mì, aka, Pork Rolls. 

Let's be honest, when it comes to pork rolls it comes down to three main metrics:

1. Cost 

2. Crunch 

3. Filling 

We’ve unearthed Marrickville’s best Pork Roll spots and hit the ground running, literally! If you’re looking to tantalise your taste buds and indulge in a pork roll, here’s where you should go and why. These are the top three spots in Marrickville. Let’s see how they ‘fess up! 

Marrickville Pork Roll, 236 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

The OG Sydney pork roll. You would have to travel far to find someone who doesn’t know and love Marrickville Pork Roll. The proof is in the seemingly endless queue that forms from the early hours until close, 7 days a week. Fear not food lovers - these guys have efficiency down to a fine art and you’ll be front of the line in no time.

If you know what you're doing, you’ll go for the OG (traditional, aka mystery meat) pork roll or crispy pork. Some seasoned veterans get a meatball roll for a treat, but that is a rare sight. And if you’re going to Marrickville Pork Roll, you are most likely going traditional. 

The French baguette itself is without doubt the crunchiest on the list, if not the crunchiest in Sydney. They are baked fresh daily, and when it comes to the filling, these guys fill it to the brim. 

The standard pickled carrots, onion and daikon, a piece of spring roll, slice of cucumber and a huge bunch of coriander. For lubrication it's a flavourless mayo, a generous spread of pate and that magical juice that makes everything it touches taste a million times better. 

Honestly, if you are not getting coriander and paté, I think it’s time you started questioning your life choices. 

Marrickville Pork Roll has become so popular they have started opening other locations, which, I’ll be honest, is a can of worms for anyone who lives in Marrickville. 

I dub thee: The Everyday Pork Roll.

Cost 9/10

Crunch 10/10

Filling 10/10

Alex N Rolls, 321 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

Famously compared to the late great Anthony Bourdain’s favourite pork roll in Hoi An, Vietnam, Alex N Rolls offers a completely different pork roll situation to the OG Marrickville pork rolls. 

First of all, Alex N Rolls go with a soft bun which has really caused me some issues with the rating system, however, this pork roll is an absolute gift to the culinary world, so we crack-le on.

There are no mystery meat (traditional) options here which surprisingly isn't missed. You can choose from BBQ pork, roast pork, or the greatest thing to live between a piece of bread, possibly ever… caramelised pork. It melts in your mouth like nothing else and is bursting with flavour!

When it comes to the filling, all the regulars are on offer, with the addition of lettuce. Which, and I never thought I would say this, is welcome. It really adds something to the richness of the pork and makes it almost refreshing? 

Hot tip - Join the Facebook group ‘Is ‘ALEX ’N’ ROLLS Open?!?!’ as the hours are.. to put it politely, ‘unique’. 

I dub thee: The Special Occasion Pork Roll.

Cost 8/10

Crunch 0/10

Filling 10/10

Delish, 228 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville 

Let’s be honest now... if you’re in Marrickville and hanging out for a Pork Roll, Delish probably isn’t the first destination to spring to mind. But it’s there, and I’m a man of the people, so let’s do this thing. 

I mean, they aren’t bad pork rolls by any stretch of the imagination. I really like them and as a Marrickville local myself, I do frequent this spot regularly.  But, they just don't have the street cred that Marrickville Pork Roll has amassed. And they can’t match the uniqueness and flavour of Alex N Rolls (did I mention the caramelised pork at Alex n Rolls?). 

This is the same as Pepsi. If you’re given the choice of Coca-Cola or Pepsi, what are you picking? Exactly. But, if you didn’t have a crisp cold Coke, then Pepsi is usually a pretty reasonable substitute. 

I dub thee: The Pork Roll To Get When Everywhere Else Is Too Busy.

Cost 7.5/10

Crunch 6.10

Filling 7/10

As the results show - if you are in the market for an everyday pork roll, head straight to Marrickville Pork Roll. If you want something a little fancier, Alex N Rolls (and the caramelised pork) is your spot. And if both of those places are too busy, you’ve always got Delish. 

Do you think you know of a better Pork Roll in Marrickville? Let us know - info@neighbourhoodmedia.com.au

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