Ah, the return of the festive favourites to lunch menus everywhere will be music to the ears of many, yet some will still see it as early days yet.
The cranberry-laced sandwiches, turkey on everything from pies to pizza and the much revered Christmas chip are all back with a bang.
My search for a bite to eat this week didn’t necessarily have me hunting up and down for a chip covered in gravy, stuffing and cocktail sausages - but when a festive sounding sarnie appeared in front of me I (literally) grabbed it with both hands.
READ MORE: Enniskillen public ‘disgruntled’ over council hurdles to Christmas cheer, businesses say
Browsing around for new and interesting places for a bite to eat in Co Fermanagh brought me down a narrow country road to the Croft Farm Shop on the outskirts of Enniskillen.
As the name suggests, the farm shop offers a range of local fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat to buy right in the shop.
As well as that however, the former milk byre also serves up freshly made sandwiches and coffee.
It was a bit of a shame I had my first visit during winter as the outside seating area at the front of the shop is very quaint, and would make a great spot for a summer al fresco lunch.
When it came to the menu, I’m not sure whether the turkey, ham and stuffing toastie I ordered was up for grabs due to its festive qualities - but I’m going to go ahead and give them the benefit of the doubt.
Joe the Baker’s sourdough seems to be the standard bearer for toasties around the county these days and it’s easy to see why.
The shredded turkey and O’Doherty’s gammon was as salivating as it sounds, and a lashing of the farm shop’s own Erin Grove cranberry sauce made me want to go straight home and get the Christmas tree up.
Served with a handful of crisps and a small side salad, it certainly was as tasty as I’d imagined. Perhaps a little on the small side for my taste but I couldn't fault the quality or freshness of what was there.
Washed down with a delicious flat white, I was very much buoyed into the festive spirit by my visit and will no doubt be back. Maybe they’ll have the Christmas chip on the menu by that time?
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