Saluministi isn’t your average sandwich shop. One look at the crackling hunk of roast porchetta on the counter will tell you that.

Owners and brothers-in-law Frank Bressi and Peter Mastro have known each other since high school. After winning prizes for their homemade salami, they decided to take their love for great Italian food to the public.

They started with a pop-up in a North Melbourne laneway, and found permanent digs in the Docklands in mid-2016. The CBD location followed soon after.

From the initial warehouse to two modern, light-filled cafes, they’ve kept the formula the same. It’s all about the panini. And not the lifeless versions found in most cafe cabinets. These are fresh crunchy rolls, crammed with flavour.

The porchetta panini is the most popular, unless Bressi is behind the counter telling customers about the cotoletta. Inspired by his favourite childhood meal, it’s crumbed, juicy pork perfection. Mastro’s favourite is the salsiccia. Featuring a grilled pork and fennel sausage, it’s a nod to their award-winning salami.

Match with a stove-top coffee for maximum authenticity. Served, of course, with biscotti on the side. Or be tempted by the handmade cannoli or bombollini that sits right by the counter, ready to ruin a few diets.