Birley Sandwiches

I stopped in for takeaway before my flight back to Glasgow. The staff was not very helpful in offering suggestions or advice so I picked based on what the sandwiches looked like.
The food & beverage:
I had grilled chicken with pesto and mushrooms on wheat bread toasted. It was a decent sized sandwich with lots of chicken and mushrooms but not much pesto which made it dry and hard to eat. They offer organic juices and teas so I snagged a white grape and pear juice to go with my sandwich.
The entire process took less than 10 minutes and I was on my way out the door. When I went in I didn’t realize that it was a chain but happened to see another one on my way back to Liverpool Street Station. Knowing that it’s a chain does turn me off slightly, but it was good to try it once. If I was in a bind in the future I’d go back but if there were other options I’d probably try out a different venue.

Birley’s is a City institution… where the hungover congregate on Friday mornings and wait for their breakfast sandwich cure. My friends have tried to value this restaurant, and the answer was often «priceless.» They make your typical bacon/​sausage and egg sandwich, but can accommodate bespoke requests (I often add avocado). And I always have to ask for the bread to be toasted, because otherwise it’s a spongey type that really doesn’t go work once they put brown sauce or ketchup on it. I’ve heard that they also make great lunch sandwiches and salads, if that is your thing. Be prepared to wait up to 20 to 30 minutes when going on a Friday, especially since people often send in group orders that can hold up the queue. The staff are super friendly though, I’m on a first name basis!

My favorite place to go for lunch while working in London. The guys behind the deli are fabulous. The pastrami sandwich was the best, followed by the tuna sandwich. The bread is fresh and yummy! You really can’t go wrong with any of the soups. Lovely to sit outside even for a California girl. Can’t wait to go back!

I work in Paternoster Square so I visit Birley’s quite regularly. Birley’s is a soup and sandwich shop with a roaring 20’s feel. They have both a carving station with various succulent meats and loads of yummy pre-​made sandwiches. The soups are quite delicious and you can add rice and/​or bread to boot. Birley’s is on the pricey side but the convenience for me can’t be beat.
I remember visiting here for lunch my first day of work during my first week in the UK. Standing at the carving station counter with the worker demanding my order while dozens of hungry patrons waited behind me — I was in a panic — made a rash order — and hated it. That being said I quickly learned the system (and what brown sauce is) and have had great experiences ever since. You order your sandwich at the counter, take your ticket and pay. The cashier will stamp your ticket paid and then you can collect your sandwich when they call out your number. And don’t be scared to stand back and let others move ahead of you while you decide your order — I learned that the hard way.
The soups are yummy and rotate in and out. The Cuban Beef soup with rice and a dash of chili is my favorite.
I also stop in for breakfast sometimes but am generally boring in the mornings — typically a sausage roll or bagel. Not exciting but still good.

On a sunny afternoon, Paternoster Square is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a sandwich. Especially a Birley sandwich (makes it sound so masculine and meaty, no?)
Being an American, I love a good roasted turkey. Therefore, imagine my delight upon discovering that Birley make fresh carved roast turkey sandwiches to order — on huge thick slices of brown bread — all wrapped up in adorable paper on a silver piece of cardboard. It’s all very City lunch.
Add a freshly squeezed lemon and ginger juice to the mix and I’m all in.
So, why did I only give it 4 stars instead of 5? ADDING AVOCADO TO YOUR SANDWICH COSTS £1.25. I think you’ll agree when I say, REALLY???

Cheap, fast, freshly-​carved sandwiches on freshly baked bread.
I’m not really sure how you can go wrong here — you can also get delicious hearty soups like their minestrone, yay! great place!