Before Kosta’s and Self Raised, there was Raineri’s Continental Deli. Rosaria and Peter Raineri opened their Five Dock sandwich shop in 1982, and they still work the counter to this day, taking orders, slicing bread, and wrapping sangas in paper, like the good ol’ days.

There’s no menu of punny sandwich names to choose from. Instead, customers can fill their focaccia with whatever they want from the deli cabinets. There’s cured meats like mortadella and prosciutto, oil-soaked antipasto and fresh Italian cheese, like buffalo mozzarella and stracciatella. Some will spoon homemade chilli oil on top, others prefer a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Whatever combo you come up with, the price is always $15.

The sandwiches are sensational, but it’s the generous Italian hospitality that makes this one of Sydney’s best—and busiest—lunch spots.