New Zealand's best toasted sandwich: Found in Hokitika

The winning toastie was praised by the judges for being "simple, unpretentious, yet bold." Photo / Supplied

Hokitika is officially home to New Zealand's best toasted sandwich.

West Coast eatery Hokitika Sandwich Company was crowned the winner of the inaugural Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover competition, with their $10 "Detroit" creation.

Dreamed up by owner Joseph Walker, the winning combination consisted of corned beef, McClure's Sweet & Spicy Pickles, Havarti and cream cheeses, red onion, and Walker's own in-house sauce - all toasted on local bread.

From its humble home on the West Coast, "Detroit" beat out 50 entries from around the country and was praised by the judges for being "simple, unpretentious, yet bold."

Judge Joe McClure of McClure's Pickles in Detroit said: "Their choice of just a few exceptional ingredients was considered and carefully prepared and layered to deliver sensational flavour and a great mouthfeel.

"With buttery, velvety toast crunching into warm, flavoursome melted cheese, rich peppery meat and a generous layer of fresh pickles to refresh the pallet, this truly is the country's supreme cheese toastie."

Culprit's toastie included macaroni and brisket burnt end with McClure's pickles. Photo / Babiche Martens

More than 50 eateries entered the competition, with resteraunts Culprit and Fed Deli taking out the Auckland top spots.

Cuplrit served up a "Luncheonette" sandwich made with macaroni, burnt end brisket and pickles, and Fed Deli designed a "Pastrami 'n' Swiss Melt" – a toasted hot dog bun with pastrami, Russian dressing, McClure's Pickle Spear and Swiss cheese.

Criteria for The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover required sandwiches to be toasted between two slices of bread and able to be eaten by hand.

Other imaginative creations included wild duck, sautéed cauliflower, smoked kahawai, pastrami and brisket.

Crowned winner Walker got to take home a bespoke Toastie Takeover trophy as well as a year's worth of McClure's Pickles.