WINE ME DINE ME
2nd Yard Sandwich Bar Daily, 4pm-11pm 763 Charoen Krung Road fb.com/2ndyard 095-898-8070, 086-515-9791
2nd Yard tastefully fills the gap for epicurean sandwiches in Bangkok’s booming food culture.
The Set-up
A new mod-industrial sandwich bar has settled in among classic mainstays along Charoen Krung Road. Its name, 2nd Yard, is a reference to entrepreneurship, as a new vocation for each of the five owners, most hailing from careers in creative industries including design, art direction, production and film editing.
The shop has vamped up the traditional structure of the former kodang (warehouse) it once was, with a glass front, matte black finishing and funky orange typography. Vespas parked out front on the sidewalk aren’t just decor; a few of the owners and staff happen to be fans of the classic scooter. Inside, the walls play along with the popular interior design trend of unpainted concrete and exposed brick. Grungy minimalism follows through in the furniture, with wooden stools at the front bar counter and oil drum seats at the back of the singlefloor restaurant.
The Menu
Before you jump into sandwiches, work your way up with fried finger foods and signature beverages. 2nd Yard has all the familiar “fries” — French fries, onion rings, hash browns and fried chicken (B100-150) — plus Deep fried squid (B250). No ketchup needed for the latter — just squeeze lemon all over and the chewy squid bites are good to go. Balance out the salty with a rich, mixed-fruit smoothie (B75) or a signature shaken iced tea (B65). The teas are based with black Thai tea and diversified with juices and flavoured syrups. Alternatively, let’s not forget that 2nd Yard is an actual bar with cocktails, beers and spirits.
Moving on to what we’re here for, we appreciate how the diner keeps its sandwich list concise and to the point. Only one kind of bread is used for all seven sandwich variations: a gorgeous grilled ciabatta that pwns (not a typo — look it up) all of Subway’s bread options combined. The range for fillings covers the main varieties of meat — pork, chicken, beef and seafood — while also offering one vegetarian option. Don’t underestimate the Mushroom and cheese (B180), on the cheapest end of the sandwich spectrum. The ambrosial fragrance of fungi, parmesan and mozzarella will have your face in your food before you know it. On the other end of the menu is the fancy-schmancy Unagi (B550) sandwich, featuring saucy eel with hints of green pepper and ponzu. You’ll love this if you love unagi (surprise, surprise).
The sandwich bar carries one dessert, and it’s also a sandwich. 2nd Yard’s Ice cream sandwich (B150) isn’t anything like the mass-produced frozen treats you may be thinking of. Two freshly scooped spheres of Cookies and Cream are artfully positioned between buttered ciabatta cuts. The sweet sculpture is drizzled in your choice of honey or mango custard, and garnished with butter cookie crumbs and cinnamon. It’s the mature version of After You’s Shibuya Honey Toast.
Insider’s Tip
The diner does call and pick-up orders. For those who insist on taking private transportation to eat in, there’s parking in the building across the street, at a rate of 20 baht an hour. We highly recommend this over taking your chances with the fickle legality of street parking.
Value & Verdict
2nd Yard tastefully fills the gap for epicurean sandwiches in Bangkok’s booming food culture. The only reason we’re not going to be visiting on a regular basis is our salary. However, forgoing five trips to Subway or Au Bon Pain for one to 2nd Yard is a tempting argument.