A Newcastle city centre sandwich bar which often has queues out the door is set to open a second premises this month. Frankie and Tony’s on Ridley Place will take over the former Doyle’s sandwich shop on Dean Street.
The shop has a thriving customer base during Newcastle’s lunchtime rush, and it is estimated to serve around 300 – 400 people per day. Owner Tim Langford, who bought the business from Frankie Spence in May last year, hopes that the new shop will have the longevity and popularity of its existing unit, which opened in 2003.
He believes the secret is the quality of food, value for money, and the staff. Tim said: “A lot of our customers walk up from the Quayside but only once a week because it’s such a long way, but they come up here to treat themselves.”
However, it is also hoped that new development in the centre of Newcastle earmarked for opening in 2027 will introduce Frankie and Tony’s to new customers. Tim added: “There’s the HMRC building opening up so to have one at the top and another at the bottom of that seems to be an opportunity.”
The Dean Street shop has created four jobs, with one person already employed and interviews underway for the others. Tim said: “When we come into the busiest time, September onwards, we’ll need four or five staff to run that place.”
“We hope we can make it last 20 years or more like this one. Three of the staff have been here for more than 20 years.
“They love it and the customers love them. I’m just in the back keeping quiet!”
For one of the long-serving members of staff, Debs Stoker, she has another hope for Frankie and Tony’s. She wants a visit from Dan Burn, following the creation of the Big Dan Burner – a sarnie made up of chorizo, spicy cheese, salami and sun-dried tomato; with the blackboard reminding customers “we have milk!”
Debs said: “We immortalised his goal in a special sandwich the day after the final and we’d love him to pay us a visit!”
Frankie and Tony’s is set to open on Dean Street in July. An exact date remains to be confirmed.
