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A new gourmet Italian sandwich cafe has just opened its doors bringing sandos, specialty coffee, and the warm trademark hospitality of the Riverland to Renmark Avenue.
It’s been an illuminating journey, and a significant move for owners and partners Eric Sialas and Latysha Forrest. Both bringing strong hospo experience and an abiding interest for quality produce, Eric and Latysha made the move from Adelaide to the Riverland in early 2026 to bring their vision to life.
Originally from Renmark, Eric returned to his hometown with a desire to create something fresh for the local food scene, while Adelaide-born Latysha embraced the regional move and helped shape the brand and marketing from the ground up. Together, the pair spent months personally renovating the former office space into the sandwich and coffee destination that they had dreamed of. For weeks, they finished full-time work in Adelaide before driving to Renmark on Friday evenings to renovate through the weekend, then making the early return back to the city each Monday morning until they were ready to relocate permanently.
The couple officially opened the doors in early February and say the response from the community has been immediate, with the shop quickly finding its rhythm as locals line up for freshly made sandwiches and coffee each day.
The name is the heart of the business. It nods to Eric’s dad Sammy, a well loved Riverland local.
“It kind of brings his personality to life,” Eric says. “My dad’s a very well known person in the Riverland and loves good coffee and food. I’m from a Greek background, so all we do is eat and drink coffee,” he laughs. “He’s a very enthusiastic, chirpy guy who’s always out and about, so we wanted to bring a bit of his personality into the place.”
And if you’re wondering what Sammy thinks of Sammy’s, Eric tells us, “He’s our biggest customer!”
“He actually just paid off his tab for the last four days,” Eric laughs. “He comes in and orders about 30 sandwiches in the morning and picks them up at lunch for his and my mum’s staff.”
While we chatted, Sammy was sitting out the from of the shop, closed for the afternoon, eating his now daily sandwich.
The shopfront was previously an Elders Real Estate office, requiring a full transformation from commercial offices into a hospitality venue. The pair ripped down walls and laid half a tonne of concrete to ensure the space met food safety requirements, replacing subflooring with a foundation for the kitchen.
The fit-out balances old-school character with a fresh modern feel. Original heritage features, in particular the brick facade and decorative cornices were carefully restored and hand-finished, while a deep blue and cream-yellow colour palette was introduced. Rather than opting for a modern rendered look, the pair chose to celebrate the building’s history, creating a space that feels both traditional and totally their own.
Everything on the menu is made fresh to order, with meats sliced daily and ingredients prepared in-house each morning, a deliberate choice by the pair to prioritise quality and bring a gourmet sandwich offering not widely seen in the region. The cafe also serves specialty coffee using Toby’s Estate beans and matcha in collaboration with Adelaide’s Solace & Heart.
The menu includes a lineup of gourmet Italian-style sandwiches made fresh to order each day. Options include the Prosciutto & Stracciatella with rocket and truffle oil, Mortadella & Basil Pesto with burrata and fresh basil pesto, a vegetarian Mushroom & Mozzarella with roasted mushrooms and caramelised onion, the Sopressa & Provolone with chilli oil and chilli honey, a classic Chicken Salad with kewpie mayo, plus toasted favourites like the Tuna Melt. The Reuben rounds out the offering with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Dijon mustard. The pair each have their go-to orders too, with Eric favouring the Sopressa & Provolone, while Latysha leans towards the Mortadella & Basil Pesto.
There’s no denying Eric and Latysha’s passion for this project, as it gains popularity and brings their vision of quality, community and great food to life in Renmark.
Sammy’s Sando & Espresso Bar
Where: 53 Renmark Avenue, Renmark
When: Monday – Friday 6am – 2pm (Tuesday closed);
Saturday & Sunday 7:30am – 3pm
For more info, click here.
