Dutch Food Delights: Broodje Mario

Photo Credit: stevent

What

Broodje Mario – an Italian bread roll baked fresh and then filled with two types of salami, carrot pieces, a type of celery, cheese and peppers.

Why

Mario is the father of Massimo. Mario came to the Netherlands in 1975 after having enough of travelling through Europe as a drummer in a band. Mario started selling the Italian style bread rolls before Massimo and his mother joined him in the Netherlands a year later. The sandwiches sold well in Utrecht and soon two thousand Mario Broodjes were being made a day.

Where

Real Broodje Mario’s are only found in Utrecht. The street stand is located at Oudegracht 130-132.

When

Not being from Utrecht I can’t say for certain but guessing based on the throngs of people buying them, I’m thinking that the rolls are available year-round. However, if there are any Utrecht people out there that know differently, please let me know!

Varieties

Since the sandwiches are made to order, it is easy to create a little variety each day you visit. Don’t like peppers? Ask for one without. Not a fan of cheese? Throw it off!

How Much [Should I Eat]

Despite being called a broodje (the -je in Dutch indicating that these bread rolls should be small), these sandwiches are anything but. There was no way that I was finishing that sucker no matter how hungry I was. That’s not to say they aren’t pretty tasty. The taste and price (€3) makes it clear why they are a popular lunch option.

Pas Op! (Watch Out!)

These can be highly addictive.