Sandocas is the newest resident at Casa da Guia in Cascais. Since its opening on May 1st, it has achieved tremendous success, to the extent that Pedro Gato, the founder, has already seen his initial investment repaid. Moreover, this sandwich innovator has received numerous investment proposals from both local and international sources to grow the enterprise.
Born in Cascais, Pedro Gato is a personal trainer and it was exactly the need to eat quickly between classes and workouts that led him to come up with these sandwiches. “I don’t always have time to cook or go to restaurants, so I found myself always eating the same things. And there were hardly any sandwiches in Cascais.”
Thus, quite organically, he had the idea to create his own sandwiches—it was exactly what he felt was missing as a consumer. Gradually, he developed a concept using reference products. He contacted a brewery where he once had the “best pies” he had ever tasted to be his meat suppliers. Whether beef or pork, the meat from these pasture-raised animals, sourced from the rib area, is smoked for 13 hours using holm oak and olive wood. The cheese comes from the Serra da Estrela region, specifically from Seia; and he went back to the bakery of his childhood, O Forno da Tapada, in Adroana, to develop a slow-fermented bread baked in a wood-fired oven, without using yeast, almost crustless, to achieve the crunchiness he wanted. It's exclusive to his brand.
“There’s virtually no room between bread and meat, it’s not too much, and I’ve had customers ask me if I add something to make the sandwiches addictive: no, it’s really the crunchiness and the flavour of the meat that have that effect.”
Moreover, as a PT, he thought of sandwiches that would be particularly "protein-rich and nutritious." “It’s something that feeds you but, contrary to what people think, isn’t heavy.” Slightly spicy for those who choose that option (which is advisable), they are generous and should be eaten cautiously, as the sauce drips thanks to the juiciness of the sandwiches. Pedro Gato is not shy about praising his sandwiches, but the results are evident. “I often tell customers that I’ll give them the sandwiches for free if they don’t consider them some of the best they’ve ever had. And their reaction when they try them is always the same: they look at the sandwich in amazement while nodding their heads.”
You can choose between the beef sandwich with Seia cheese (€8.50 for normal, €11 for the XL version), the pork sandwich with Seia cheese (€6 for normal, €10 for the XL version), or the Seia cheese sandwich (€5). There are usually other variations every week, with different sandwiches appearing on the menu. You can also order a side of fries (€2.50) to go along, or extra cheese (€1.50) or meat (€3), if you’re really hungry.
Since becoming a phenomenon and being contacted by investors, 32-year-old Pedro Gato has been considering what he wants to do with his brand. He says selling it is out of the question, but reveals he would like to make Sandocas a franchise, available in other places—and he is also interested in the idea of having a proper restaurant, instead of a simple food truck with a small terrace, where he can explore more sandwich options and expand the operation.
Avenida Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 101, Cascais. Mon-Thu 12.30-21.00; Fri-Sun 12.00-22.00