In the breathless lead up to Notting Hill Carnival, as all of London prepares for a weekend of festivities, food writer Riaz Phillips is whetting the appetite with a limited time sandwich offering at cult East London sandwich spot and deli, Bodega Rita’s. They’ll be opening their doors for a limited time exclusively for the special collaboration, and they’re sure to be the must-hit lunchtime destination. Only available for four days, from August 23-26, Riaz Philipps’ sandwiches will set palates ablaze and pulses a-racing.
On the back of his just-released Jamaican cookbook, West Winds, Phillips has been serving up a glut of dishes across a wide variety of pop-ups and events. There was the Jamaican Pizza Linkup at Coal Drops Yard in collaboration with Tanio Pizza. There was the sold out Carni Dinner with Ixta Belfrage, which smashed the two authors’ influences together to celebrate the return of Carnival. And now Phillips is serving up some of that same food in dripping-ly delicious bun/sandwich form at Bodega Rita’s.
The Riaz Phillips Sandwiches
On offer are the Borders Jerk Sandwich for the jerk chicken enthusiasts, or the Jackfruit Stew Ital Sloppy Joe that also comes with smashed avocado and fried plantains. A fiery scotch bonnet ketchup keeps the heat coming as you munch your way through the sandwiches. Wash it all down with Phillips’ equally fiery and refreshing ginger beer, flavoured with cloves, cinnamon, and (of course) ginger. And the Bodega Rita’s team will also be serving up their much-loved range of soft drinks and coffees.
Want to get your hands on one of the sandwiches? They’ll be dishing them out until August 26, from 11 until they run out. And they will run out, so head down as soon as you can. Find Bodega Rita’s at 91 Cowcross Street, Clerkenwell, EC1M 6BH. While you’re there, be sure to stock up on bank holiday BBQ essentials. And you’ll definitely want to grab a jar of the one-off special jerk seasoning they’ll be making in house.
Missed out? Keep your eyes on the Bodega Rita’s socials for their re-opening dates, and to find out about future guest sandwiches and collaborations.