You know this awesome toasted sandwich place from your childhood where you used to experiment your tastebuds? It still exists! Gurantee, an all time favourite sandwich joint in Koukaki, is the perfect antidote to your midday cravings when in downtown Athens.

Established in the late 80s in the quiet then neighbourhood of Koukaki, Guarantee is the brainchild of Yiannis who wanted to cater to all blue collars working in garages around. An avid seaman, Yiannis, met his future wife Haroula and immediately decided to set up shop in Athens escaping his past life. At the time he could not even tell bacon from ham, but together with Haroula they slowly picked up the secrets of the trade. A few decades later, and with the help of their son, they offer more than 25 types of top notch cheese, cured meats from abroad and other homemade delicacies only they can serve nowadays. The idea is that you pick your bread, the ingredients of your choice and they toast the sandwich for you in a matter of minutes.

A fellow foodie suggested I should visit the place a few months ago, when I found myself there on a lunchbreak only to stumble upon a “We’re closed” sign due to covid-19. Oh dear. Luckily, the same friend offered a delivery service to the office just before Christmas to my greatest delight! Much to my surprise for a sandwich that had travelled a good 40min ride, its taste was impeccable! I devoured it in a few minutes and decided to head back soon.

Although they’re famous for their classic roast beef, caramelised onions and cheddar cheese combo (that comes in a brown rustic baguette), I decided to go big: homemade turkey patty, ventricina salami, gorgonzola, grilled zuchinni, rocket leaves and Florina peppers pesto spread… in a soft, yet crunchy ciabatta bread. Oh my god! A mouthful of umami accompanied with a fresh citrus fruit juice to balance off the tang of the salami.

And what really strikes me is the attentiveness of their son George, who is manning the till, that offered his help when creating my combo concurring to my selection and adding a bit of delight with the homemade turkey patty! Well done to great customer service and a place that speaks volumes to authenticity.