Still surging in its fifth year, Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes has essentially enclosed the entire Metro Manila in its wide and warm embrace with locations all around and a metrowide word-of-mouth of positive feedback.

“Right now we are all Metro Manila, but we are gearing for provincial by early next year,” said owner GJ Jimenez. More than Banapple’s expansion though, Jimenez is excited about his and his wife Maricel’s younger child: four month old Sandwicheese, Server of Extraordinary Sauces, Salads and Sandwiches.


“Putting it simply, Sandwicheese is Banapple’s little brother,” said Jimenez. In such light, while kuya is the Banapple of adults’ eyes, Sandwicheese sets off to be more in tune with the youth.

As traditional brotherhoods go, Sandwicheese still lives to emulate and challenge kuya. It is located right beside Banapple’s first store in Katipunan Avenue Extension. Jimenez shared their objective as to why, “Our goal is to translate Banapple’s dishes into sandwiches.”

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Because Banapple has already gained for the family’s renown, Sandwicheese takes it upon itself to continue, and even surpass, to “serve the tastiest and heartiest.” According to Jimenez, little brother has not disappointed as positive feedback is on the same level as kuya’s.


Keeping true to the family’s prominence as being worth it, Sandwicheese has earned great reviews from several bloggers, much like kuya’s own beginnings. “Sandwicheese has reasonably-priced dishes, and their food is worth the price,” said blog yummydatenight.tumblr.com.


Sandwiches range from PhP 120-200 and will only ensure any patron to be full once they are finished. Getting particular, thepickiesteater.net said, “A good sandwich begins with its bread and thankfully, Sandwicheese’s cornmeal bun was soft, yet served as a perfect casing to what was inside.”

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Furthermore, continuing Banapple’s distinction of quirkiness, Sandwicheese’s interior is uniquely the family’s as well: delectable home-cooking smell, warm lighting, comfy seating, relaxed sound and overall steady vibes. As thepickiesteater.net put it, “Sandwicheese is a cozy nook with a refreshing and homey feeling.”


With a role model to both emulate and challenge, Sandwicheese now sets out to live up to the family name. Still with help on the business front from Daddy GJ and on the kitchen front from Mommy Maricel, of course.


And as brotherhoods always go, big brother Banapple may have all the renown at present, but sooner than later, youth will be served. In this case, literally and figuratively, by little brother Sandwicheese.

Photos courtesy of: Banapple Pies & Cheesecakes; thepickiesteater.net

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