John Vissaritis is helping reshape Sydney’s sandwich scene, drawing on his family’s long hospitality history as Harvey’s Hot Sandwiches prepares to open a major new CBD location, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Pitt Street Mall venue is due to open in November following a $3.5 million design and construction investment, reflecting the growing ambition of the modern sandwich shop.
For Vissaritis, hospitality is part of the family story. His grandfather opened a Sydney CBD cafe in 1948, giving him a direct connection to the city’s traditional cafe culture.
Harvey’s began in 2021 as part of a three-venue hospitality project in Parramatta Square, alongside Ruse Bar & Brasserie and Threefold Pastry. The sandwich concept quickly developed a following by operating beyond the traditional lunchtime rush.
“You’ve got to build them to last,” Harvey’s co-founder John Vissaritis said to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Obviously, our model is about making a lot of sandwiches.”
Vissaritis says Harvey’s draws inspiration from North American diners while also looking to Australia’s distinctive Greek cafe heritage for ideas around its design and menu.
“Being from a restaurant [background], we like to bring lustre, we like quality,” Vissaritis says.
The business has expanded beyond sandwiches, offering salad bowls, breakfast and plans for specialty drinks as it seeks to attract customers throughout the day.
With premium sandwiches becoming increasingly popular across Sydney, Vissaritis is positioning Harvey’s as a modern interpretation of the city’s long-standing cafe and sandwich traditions.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
