Wright’s Food Emporium, is a cafe, deli, and wine store that’s rarely not busy – and it’s easy to see why
The UK is packed full of towns and villages with hidden gems, whether that’s cafes, restaurants, or bars. One such spot is Wright’s Food Emporium in Llanarthne.
Writing for WalesOnline, reporter Kathryn Williams has recalled a recent visit to this food outlet, sharing how it’s quickly become a must-visit destination. She wrote: “Wright’s Food Emporium is a cafe, deli, and wine store in the heart of the village and is rarely not busy, but even I’ll navigate their tight car park for one of their Cubano sandwiches.”
Wright’s opened at the start of 2014 by food industry experts Simon and Maryann Wright inside a former Brains pub – which was a prominent feature in the small village but had been yet another rural local to shut its doors.
Kathryn writes: “When you walk in you’re confronted with a dining space to the left but turn right and it’s business time. A bustling, well-stocked deli with fresh, local fruit and veg, wine, Welsh cheeses, meats and the best shelves of condiments west of Wally’s in Cardiff.
“But, you want to know about the sandwich. The Cubano is so good I don’t think I’ve seen it off the menu – which rotates weekly thanks to what’s fresh or fancied that week – in a good few years.”
So, what’s in a Cubano? At Wright’s, their ciabatta is generously filled with pork belly, Hafod cheese (from Lampeter), Myrddin Heritage ham (sourced just eight miles away in Tanerdy), pickles, Sriracha and mayo.
Kathryn continues: “The pleasing chew of the bread and pork belly is offset by the fresh pickles and sharp, creamy dart of the mix of mayo and Sriracha runs through each bite. And as you [me] try, but ultimately fail, to keep the whole shebang together, the bonus of the hidden ham comes through at the end a winner as you switch the sticky, dense and lovely pork belly to a side portion.
“It’s a bloody triumph of a sandwich – all in one go, and if or when it falls apart. The individual components work hard to stand out but also marry as harmoniously as they should.
“Wright’s Cubano is not the only winner on the ever-changing menu; you’ll do well do try their amazing salads that feature items from Blaencamel Farm, a past favourite of mine featuring charred nectarines, walnuts and Brefu Bach cheese all delicately decorated with edible flowers.
“Veggie sides come in shapes like aubergine fritters, patatas bravas, Welsh asparagus. If I really want to ensure a taste of Wright’s in the moment I usually insist my other half – or anyone else I can coerce – into sharing half a Cubano and half the salad. It’s a bloody win-win.
“And if you’ve already had lunch, don’t like sandwiches (not sure who those type of people are) and fancy coffee and cake, there’s still a reason to stop off at Wright’s. Earlier this year I bought one of their apple and cinnamon pastries and, not to be over the top, it was so heavenly up my street I’ve been waiting for it to be back on their Instagram ever since. The fact there is no photographic evidence of this proves how irresistible it was.”