The Chiefly crew brings big sandwich energy to Mayfield
If you’ve ever stood in line at Chiefly West, eagerly watching the team stack, grill, and wrap loaded sandwiches, you’ll understand the buzz around their latest venture – Chiefly Royale.
Now open on Maitland Road in Mayfield, this new sibling store is bringing the same bold, flavour-driven energy that has made Chiefly a cult favourite but now with more space, more sunshine, and now, breakfast!
“We wanted to bring a little bit of fun to this strip in Mayfield. The energy is what it’s all about. That’s why we painted it bright blue! We want to see people out on the street with their kids and their dogs, enjoying our sandwiches and just doing life,” owner Al Downer said.
Al Downer
The Mayfield location, which has been the former home of Marshall & Daughters, FIELD by Glee Coffee Roasters, and Locomotive, has always been a spot Al had his eye on.
“We looked at this spot before we even had Chiefly East. At the time, we didn’t have the capital to get it across the line. But the minute we saw it was available, we just had to jump on it.”
With Chiefly West humming along in capable hands, expanding felt right, and with Al and his family calling Mayfield home, it was a no-brainer.
“Mayfield is so cool and we saw the need for something like this.”
Chiefly Royale is already turning heads (quite literally) with its colourful facade, warm hospitality, and unsurprisingly, its knockout menu.
Open Thursday to Saturday from 9am until sold out, the team is doubling down on what they do best; inventive, delicious sandwiches served fast and fresh. And for the first time, they’ve added breakfast muffins to the menu.
“There’s a few things at Chiefly West that we just can’t do that I am so excited to test here.”
Expect new breakfast beauties including the Baby Royale with sausage, egg, cheese, pickles, and royale sauce; the indulgent Nasty Royale with hot pastrami, egg, hash brown, cheese, and pickles; and the Rooster Royale with cornflake fried chicken, egg, cheese, royale sauce, and hot honey.
Lunchtime brings Chiefly’s signature mix of hot and cold baguettes, including the Cousin Royale – their local take on a Reuben, featuring house-smoked pastrami on a grilled rye baguette – and the vegetarian Phantom Thread, a dreamy combo of truffle and chipotle mushrooms, taleggio, and pink pickled onions.
Sandwich fiends will also want to keep their eye on the Deli Royale, a rotating guest salami special inspired by the much-loved neighbouring Pork Ewe Deli.
“Having those guys just there is so unbelievable. For a sandwich monger, it’s a dream.”
While there’s no espresso machine on-site, you’ll be able to get your hands on filter and iced coffee, OJ, and soda – just enough to wash down your loaded lunch.
“We’re not a coffee joint, we’re mad about sandwiches.”
The vibe? Very much Chiefly, but with its own twist.
“I really want people to know that it’s still Chiefly. We’re just cousin stores. You can go to either of us and get the same quality – it’s just a different personality.”
And the name? That came from a Pulp Fiction-style back-and-forth with Chiefly’s brand designer, Benny.
“Imagine if you were driving in the car, and you ask, what do you call Chiefly if it’s west of west? Then it was just like well, Royale motherfucker.”
And so, Chiefly Royale was born – a bold new chapter for the sandwich lords of Newcastle.
