Il Panino Più Buono a Roma

I was about to start my visit at Galleria Borghese in Rome when a sudden bout of hunger hit my travel companion. I'd already eaten lunch that day, but being compassionate and all, I agreed to accompany him to the cafeteria before embarking on the gallery tour.

The cafeteria at Galleria Borghese is a typical museum joint selling coffee and sandwiches to the museum's visitors. Our choice of a lunch spot wasn't completely random - I'd walked past it before, as we were waiting for our tickets, and I'd already made a mental note that one particular sandwich could be good... the one which later turned out to be the best sandwich in Rome (pictured).

As good as it looked (which was the primary reason I picked it), the taste… the taste was something else entirely. It was perfect! The sandwich was made with focaccia bread, marinated chicken, mushrooms, red peppers, lettuce, fresh mozzarrella di buffalo, a little olive oil and a delicious sauce. Mmmm!

After indulging myself with the sandwich, it was time to explore the museum. Galleria Borghese is located in one of Rome's most elegant palaces and the collection is truly outstanding. The trouble was, my thoughts were still focused on the sandwich I'd just eaten. As our visit was drawing to a close (after about two hours in the gallery), I realized I absolutely had to get a second one.

I rushed downstairs and then to the counter – the lunch rush was over, but they were still serving sandwiches. However, only three chicken sandwiches were left, and all three were covered with napkins. Unsure about what this meant, I tried my best to communicate with the cashier (at this café, normally you pay first and then point to whichever item you pick):

- Can I still buy the chicken sandwich? – I asked, in English. - It's covered by a napkin...
- Yes, of course, - he replied.

Reassured, I paid my 2.6 euro and then walked over to the counter to tell him which sandwich I wanted. But when I pointed to my choice – the chicken sandwich under a napkin, he shook his head:
- This one is reserved.
What? Reserved?
- It's reserved for our staff. But you can get a different sandwich.
Now it was my turn to shake my head. I wasn't about to give up that easy. He kept trying, though:
- Do you want that panino? – he asked, pointing to some other sandwich.
I didn't.
- We also have vegetarian sandwiches, very good – he said, desperately trying to shift my attention away from the target.
Teary-eyed, I said no!!

Realizing the futility of suggesting more alternatives, he turned to one of the apparent would-be eaters of my sandwich. They muttered a few words in Italian, while the cashier rolled his eyes, the gist of the whole exchange being: “Look, dude, can this crazy girl have your sandwich?" Thankfully, though, the rightful owner was sympathetic to my cause. Sure, he agreed.

- Fine, the cashier addressed me - you can have that one.

Whoo-hoo! He wrapped the sandwich “to go" and I brought it home that night – not only to satisfy my hunger, but also to photograph.

It was cold, having traveled in a bag for a few hours, but when I finally got to it, it was still scrumptuous. I concluded that I found the best place to get a chicken sandwich in all of Rome (and possibly, in the whole world). Eat it hot, cold, sitting down or standing up. As for myself, I'd gladly return to Rome… just to get another sandwich.

Galleria Borghese
Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5
(entrance from Via Pinciana)
00197 ROMA
www.galleriaborghese.it
(m) Spagna

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The area map for "Il Panino Più Buono a Roma" (Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5, Rome, Italy 00197)