Perth’s best steak sandwich of 2023 has been crowned!

The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has held their highly-anticipated WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Competition for 2023 – awarding Samson Brent from northern suburbs pub The Iluka the top prize for his classic take on the sandwich.

The Iluka’s steak sandwich features a black Angus fillet with a cognac peppercorn sauce, alongside grilled onions, rocket and Roma tomato, all within a locally-baked Turkish roll – and served with hand-cut chips, of course.

The competition is now in its 16th year, and included a public vote between March and June to determine the finalists – with the ultimate winners determined through a live cook-off as part of the AHA Hospitality Expo, with a panel of judges that included Premier Roger Cook and Australian Hotels Association WA CEO Bradley Woods.

And of course, we couldn’t leave out our country pubs!

The competition also featured a Country WA category – with Ats Johansson of the North West Brewing Co. taking home the regional win for the second year running.

Unlike traditional sandwiches, the Karratha pub’s winning steak sandwich features smoked Harvey beef rump steak, which is then loaded with salsa verde, house-made ranch sauce, bacon Pilbara Pale Ale pickles, pickled onion, onion jam, smoked brisket and japaleño cream cheese, sandwiched in a buttered rosemary and garlic Turkish bread bun. Saucy!