With its jaunty blue and white awning, pretty pavement tables and a cheerful window display always themed for the season, the Johnston family’s Jolly Sandwich Bar is hard to pass by.
A beacon of simple excellence, it’s a lunch place of choice for discerning shoppers and even better since Hazel Johnston’s Ballymaloe-trained daughter Carina Cutler joined the team.
Everything is home made and personal service with great attention to detail is key to the success of this super efficient place, with Hazel Johnston overseeing everything at all times.
The Johnstons are renowned for their baking, including brilliant sandwiches of course, but also a range of really good speciality scones (raspberry and white chocolate is a favourite…) cakes and desserts, including delicious versions of carrot cake, chocolate fudge cake, banoffi and lemon meringue pie - and local Fivemiletown Creamery Ice Cream makes a great accompaniment.
But they make great savouries too - soups, pies, roast of the day, baked potatoes, salads - and presentation is top class, as Hazel keeps a range of garnishes at hand for every dish that goes out.
Hazel is also a great supporter of everything that goes on in the town - notably the annual Beckett Festival - and always looking for new ways to please customers, whether local or visitors.
Recent introductions include an excellent gluten free range and their own JSB jams and chutneys, all going down a treat thanks to their genuine homemade flavour.
The atmosphere is friendly and there's always a buzz but, if there is a downside to this great little place, it's that there is often a queue. But that’s always good sign, of course, and you’ll have a few minutes to decide on your choice.
Service is really speedy anyway, so you won’t be waiting long - or you could book for their Afternoon Tea (from 3pm daily).
