Townsville Toastie: A Crunchy Mirage Be

Spotted it in the display window at Townsville Airport—a ham, cheese, and tomato toastie gleaming under fluorescent lights like it knew it was the best-looking snack in the terminal. Golden, crunchy, smug. I was sold.

First bite? Crunch factor: elite. Whoever manned the sandwich press deserves a handshake. But then came the unraveling.

One slice of tomato. Singular. Suspiciously central, like a garnish that wandered into the wrong genre. The ham was plentiful but so thin it felt like it had been ironed flat for aerodynamics. Cheese held it together like a weary diplomat, and seasoning? Surprisingly on point—someone back there respects salt.

Only one side was buttered, though. A bold choice. Like wearing one sock to a job interview.

I ate it very hot, in a rush to board. Burnt my tongue, lost all nuance. Was it delicious? Or was I just hungry and slightly panicked? Honestly, who knows. It was crunchy, it was warm, and it didn’t fall apart mid-run to Gate 4. That’s a win in airport terms.

Would I eat it again? Probably. Would I trust it with my emotions? Absolutely not.Read more