We've brought our popular sandwich shop to a local Sunderland high street

A sandwich shop which has built up a loyal following with its fresh focaccia sandwiches and deli boxes has expanded onto a local high street.

Sunderland wife and husband team Elisa Ricci and Ben Harman opened the original Crave in Mackie’s Corner in March 2025 - and it’s gone on to be a firm city centre favourite.

So much so, they’ve now expanded the brand to meet demand with a sister site opening in Sea Road, Fulwell, today, September 21.

“Crave at Mackie’s Corner has been extremely popular, more than we ever expected,” explained Elisa. “We thought it would just be a quiet little sandwich shop, but the response completely blew us away.”

It was a return to hospitality for the couple who were already well-known for their time at family business San Marino, which was one of the city’s longest-running Italian restaurants during its time in Chester Road, before they opened San Marino at Hanover Place in Deptford.

Speaking about the original Crave, Elisa added: “We started with four different sandwich creations and we now have 13 different Crave combinations alongside our specials board. People have their favourites and come in six days a week for the same sandwich and I think they’d come in seven days a week if we were open.

“We actually weren’t looking to open a second site - the opportunity came to us and we thought ‘why not?”

Those who are a fan of the trademark Crave focaccia, made by chef Ben, and the Crave combinations can expect the same standard on Sea Road, with consistency a key part of the Crave business model.

For those unfamiliar with the brand, you can create your own Crave by choosing a salad box or from a choice of bread with your own choice of filling.

Or, you can choose one of the Crave combinations, all priced £7.50, such as The Pastrami Crave, The Crave Chicken Caesar Salad, The Piri Piri Crave or The Vege Crave.

You can also pick up a range of cannoli, drinks, coffees and breakfast meal deals.

The second Crave has created seven new jobs and has transformed a former deli shop on the corner of Sea Road at the Hays Travel end of the shopping street.

Elisa said: “Once we decided to open here, it made sense. Sea Road is such a fantastic spot, with a great footfall and a lot of houses around and we’re close to the Metro station.

“What also makes it great is that it’s all local independents.”

Speaking about the response so far, Elisa said: “So far, we’ve actually had a lot of our regulars who live over this way, which has been nice, people have been really positive.

“I think they like that we use all fresh ingredients and you can have something as simple as a ham sandwich to something more adventurous.

“What we do isn’t rocket science, but with our restaurant background we aim to do it really well and to be consistent with that.”

Other recent additions on Sea Road include Valellys, which transformed the old Lloyds bank, and Boca Chica serving small plates from around the world.

*Crave, Sea Road, is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 3pm.