The entire gorgeous city of Syracusa is a UNESCO World Heritage sight, and if it were up to me, I would extent UNESCO status to it’s panini.  Specifically, Caseificio Borderi Elefteria located at Via Emanuele de Benedictis, 6, Siracusa, Italy.

We walked through Ortygia island neighborhood of Syracusa,  towards the Ionian Sea, avoiding the rements of fish heads left behind by a recently closed market, to Caseificio Borderi Elefteria, a panino and wine shop.  As soon as we walked in the door, the staff started handing us delicious samples, BIG samples, including wine.  We ended up buying two panini for €2 each, and a bottle of Sicilian DOC white wine for €5, and picnicked on them in front of the Cathedral of Syracuse.

These were the world’s most perfect panini: each element was just right.  One panino was made with Tricotta (baked ricotta) sundried tomatoes and salsiccia.  The other was capers, provala, and. some sort of local salami  The bread was liberally doused with olive oil.  Imagine you could go out on your lunch break and buy a sandwich for under $3, where every bit was locally produced and  insanely tasty.  This is what fast food could be, what it should be.  And the view isn’t so shabby either.

How we got to Syracuse: train from Ragusa.

Where we slept: Hotel dei Coloniali  Price: €55 for a double.  Recommended: yes.

Delicious panini inside!

Panini picnic Duomo di Siracusa