h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is this the new hip foodie thing that's going to sweep all before it? Crisp sandwiches? http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2015/jan/13/jack-monroe-presents-aunty-helens-potato-sandwiches

Seriously?

Well, cronuts are soooo last year doncha know, and cup cakes are positively stone age, dahling. But what I need to know is this - are they hand-crafted? I'm going nowhere near the place if the bread isn't artisanal or the potatoes aren't heirloom, perish the thought.

It does help if you know that it started as a spoof ( I know the guy who runs Ulster Fry), and it's intended as a bit of retro fun, rather than a money making gimmick. I intend to conduct a Hootoo fact finding visit on Friday lunchtime

A few times; when I was a kid, a proper kid, maybe 11; I put some potato chips/crisps on a sandwich. I think I put Nacho Cheese Doritos on one once. But it was a proper sandwich with meat, cheese, lettuce and Miracle Whip®. The added crunch was quite nice.

I don't feel any desire to have a sandwich with just potato chips/crisps.

Of course, I've never had a chip butty either, though it is on the menu at my local pub. I've never seen anyone else order one. Isn't this just a crunchier version? A crisp butty as it were?

Pretty much. I used to get some very odd looks at the Drafthouse when I grabbed a couple of slices of bread and then a handful of fries from the fryer. I remember making crisp sandwiches when I was a kid though, just for the hell of it.

Bea, I shall expect a full report on my desk, first thing Monday morning

I don't think I've ever had a crisp sandwich, but I think they are known as a specifically Irish thing.

TRiG.

It doesn't seem such a weird idea to me (and you know how conservative I am when it comes to food)

As I say, if you put yourself in the mind of an Irishman who will do things "just for the crack!", and a customer base with a similar frame of mind, you can see how this took off (and astonishingly has gone viral).

I wasn't joking when I asked the originators who they want to play them in the movie version.

crisps in sandwiches are brilliant - on their own (white bread and LOTS of crisps) or between layers of other things.

and now I want one.

I'm back! And I have to say, while I wouldn't lunch there every day, it's the sort of place that you cannot leave without a smile on your face.

Editorial Note: I was toying with an Our Man in Milliways for this, but then I realised that about 3 people would read that, and have no option to like/share/retweet/pin/favourite. So I'll be doing a proper Dancingatlunacy blog over the weekend, with photos. But you privileged bunch can get the main content first

The queue was out the door. Granted, not as bad as it was on Monday's opening day, and the wait was not unreasonable, about 10 minutes. To pass the time we looked at the photos decorating the walls. There was one of a teacher from Grange Hill, under Cliff Richard. There was one from Roy Walker saying "Your food's good, but it's nat right!". And there were 3 clocks showing the time in Belfast, Derry, and Londonderry.

Choose your bread - a Belfast bap is the most popular choice, but it is a mahoosive sized roll with a crusty top. The dials on my internal carb-counter were already spinning out of control, so I applied the "less is more" mantra and rejected the extra thick softee white bread for a Knutty Crust. From the available 20 or so varieties, I opted for by far the most popular crisps, local heroes Tayto Cheese'n'onion. These are a crisp of legendary significance, the banners greeting you as you arrive at Belfast's Geroge Best City Airport are decorated in its signature colours, with safety advice dispensed from Mr Tayto himself. Ex-pats weep at the memory of those yellow bags.

I added a slice of ham, just as a nod to the need for some protein. The meal deal additions of chips (fries) and soup brought it to £4, with an extra 50p for the ham. A slice of cheese can be added instead.

Places at tables were at a premium, but we did manage to elbow the photographers and journos out of the way to secure some space and settle down to enjoy the experience. That first bite, soft bread gently caressing crunchy crisps, the overpowering flavours of the latter matched by the blandness of the former - it really is a winning combination. I could say something about "mouthfeel" but you'd only accuse me of being all poncey.

The chips were not really necessary,and the soup wasn't that exciting. So next time (and there WILL be a next time) I'll just have the sandwich.

Has the world gone mad? Quite possibly. But maybe what the world needs is a bit more madness like this.

Bit UK Centric, but it made Adam Hill's Last Leg programme. That's an amusing look back at the week's news.

https://dancingatlunacy.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/simply-crispy/

That review, complete with pixtures.

http://dancingatlunacy.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/simply-crispy/

For us Ripley holdouts who are too lazy to edit the URL.