Grilled Sandwiches - Griddle or Panini Press?

Hi, everyone,
I have a new mobile food concept under research/thought and need your input......If specialising in grilled sandwiches from a mobile unit, say a small trailer, would you recommend a griddle or a Panini press? 
I realise there will be distinct differences in the sandwiches themselves but some pros as I see them:
Panini Pros:
Doesn't require an exhaust hood here.
Has a more 'healthy' impression.
Attractive 'modern' sandwich 
 
Griddle Pros:
Comparatively cheaper equipment
Can cook faster and more product at once
Equipment easier to clean and more flexible use.
 
What do you think? I'm concerned about the possible length of wait for a customer's sandwich with a press if I get busy, I mean WHEN I'm busy!
Thanks a bunch.
Karen
 

I used to go to a sub shop that used a regular George Foreman grill for their sandwiches. It broke down a lot and you never knew if you were going to get a hot sandwich or not. It was too bad because when it worked, the shop made a great reuben.

I would use a grill, it will take care off al your needs. They also make grills with  ridges so you can make a panini type sandwich by putting a weight on the sandwich and turning when one side is done..............BillyB

We heat our sandwiches up on a small griddle (we are a small cart). We offer our subs either hot or cold. We heat the meat up on the griddle. Kielbasa is the only one we grill the bun (kaiser) on. All the sub rolls are steamed. BTW, The whole wheat is out selling the white rolls big time. We estimate we are selling 90% whole wheat rolls.

We also looked into doing a mobile food venture similar to catering trucks except using our trailer and making fresh sandwiches to order. We found several used commercial sandwich presses for around $175.00. We liked the press because it does both sides. You can always have a couple of sandwiches in the press while making more. If you watched any of the Food Network Food Truck Race you would have seen that the Austin Daily Press uses a sandwich press. The only draw back is that you need a decent size generator to run your operation. You can purchase griddles that run off propane.

we use a grill i like the way it toast the bread/roll sometimes i do wish i had a conveyor toaster though, like when the grill is full of burgers/ steak and i need to do a bun or roll.

Thanks to everyone for all their input. I will consider it when making any final decisions and let you know!
Karen

I answered your PM about the electrical but I'm not sure if my computer sent it or not.  If you don't get it let me know.
 
You asked about a panni or grill?  I'll give you something to consider.  If you are going to have $1.50 in a sandwich and sell it for $4.50 you are going to have a $3.00 profit. You will need to sell at least 100 or 200 a day to make any kind of decent money.  Others will disagree with me but I have found selling from a trailer is not like selling from a B/M.  People expect the food faster and are not as concerned with the appearance.  At the events we work, if it is a 12  hr day, 75% of our sales will be in the 2 hrs around lunch and the 2 hrs around supper.  When you have the rush you must be able to put the food out fast.  I think a grill would work better for you because you can cook more product faster.  Fact of fair life, most people won't stand in line 5 or 10 minutes for a sandwich.  There's to many other trailers they can go to.  We make every effort we can, and do serve a good product but we also make sure when the rush hits, we can sell it fast.  Just my opinion.
 
Mike S.

Thanks, Konnie (and I did get your PM - I sent a reply). I realise speed will be a deciding factor at festivals so I will take what you say on
board.
K
 

I use the George Foreman. Works fine.

BT


I use the George Foreman. Works fine.

I saw this George Foremane Griddle at the Camping World in Albuquerque. But it's not listed in their website.
http://www.georgeforemanc...ane-grill-griddle.aspx