As we ambled through Testaccio Market’s Open Day, Jimmy dropped a bomb on me.
Holding a recently purchased pair of shoes in one hand, and arrosticini in the other, he turned to me and said:
“You know Mordi e Vai is making cacio e pepe sandwiches, right?”
Cue my silent disbelief.
“Oh, they also have a carbonara sandwich, too.”
Approximately 40 seconds later, we were standing in front of Sergio.
“What? Since when? Always? Every day?”
“It’s number 1,” he shrugged, before whipping of his glasses and smiling hugely so I could take a photo.
I wasn’t even hungry. I inhaled the whole thing, still in disbelief.
The veal filling is incredibly rich, and the sauce tastes exactly. like. carbonara.
I kept taking another bite and waiting. Waiting to figure out how it could possibly be so perfectly executed.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the best sandwich in Rome.
If you want to grab a Mordi e Vai sandwich after 2 pm, you are in luck. The second location recently opened near San Giovanni at Via Appia Nuova 211. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.
That looks incredible. I don’t suppose there is any way you could coax a recipe for such a delight out of that culinary genius? Regrettably, I am left in envy here in the States.
I will certainly try!!
First time I’ve ever heard of Cacio e pepe was at lunch during our stay at the Cavalieri and fell in love! We’ve tried a few times to repeat that recipe but it would never come out the same. I can only imagine how amazing that would be sandwiched between some soft bread!
YES! It takes a bit of practice to get the mixing just right and it is the blending of the simple ingredients (getting the cheese to melt just so) that really makes the sauce!
You mentioned “arrosticini.” Looked it up on line. Looks delicious. Spent two years in Italy and don’t recall trying it. I’ll put it on my list of things to do on my next trip to Rome.
Hi Rex! They are originally from Abruzzo, but there are some places in Rome that do serve them! (And yes, they are delicious)
Adding this to my ever-growing list for our upcoming trip in early May. Somehow, I’ve never managed to make it to Mordi e Vai yet, but 2017 will be the year I finally get there.
It is worth the wait! Simple, delicious Roman cooking in a portable version.