12 sandwiches in Toronto to eat before you die
a non-definitive sandwich list
You could argue that the sandwich – a combination of various ingredients affixed between two slices of bread or adjacent vessel – is the perfect food.
The good ones are filled with a delicious array of components that vary in flavour, texture and food groups, all coming together in handheld form that’s easily crushable and perfect for almost any occasion.
Toronto is spoiled silly with incredible sandwiches. These days, restaurants are putting anything between a freshly-baked bun from a local bakery, or frying up a sizeable latke and putting smoked fish between it, and the city swoons.
That’s all to say, here is a non-definitive list of sandwiches in Toronto that should be eaten before your eventual departure from Earth.
‘The Special’ at La Salumeria
This Davisville icon is known for making one of the best sandwiches in the city. You won’t be wrong with any selection, but you’d be a fool not to get the house special.
Brisket w/ Cheese at DAM Sandwiches
DAM is worth the short bus ride up to Oakwood Village. You do not get any sandwich here without adding cheese, and you do not leave without a little loaf of the best cornbread you’ve ever had.
Big Ass Chicken Sandwich at The Heartbreak Chef
Recently moved into the heart of Kensington Market. Bring your TUMS and a bottle of water.
Stuffed Sandwich at Allwyn’s
Jerk chicken and coleslaw stuffed in a beef patty tucked in that pillowy coco bread. It’s always a banger.
The Caesaroni at Vilda’s
Toronto’s most viral sandwich and it FOR SURE lives up to the hype.
Turkey Sandwich at Brodflour
Roast turkey, gouda, aioli, onion relish on a sourdough baguette they milled and baked on site that morning.
Meatball Sub at Good Behaviour
Housemade meatballs with a liberal blanket of melted cheese to cover it. They cut their buns weird for this one but I know it probably has a greater purpose.
The Mortadella at Bar Piquette
Stacked high in morty goodness.
The French Dog at Grandma Loves You
Before you sandwich purists get upset, I want you all to know that I understand hot dogs are not inherently sandwiches. However, the French Dog is still meat and cheese (and for some reason, blueberry jam) between a carb-adjacent vessel––it’s a rambunctious cluster of weird ingredients that work unbelievably well together and I’m putting it on the list whether you like it or not.
Fish Sandwich at JABS
This top-tier burger joint on St. Clair West dropped this sandwich special on Good Friday this year and we haven’t stopped thinking about it. Consider this pick as a petition to bring it back for the rest of the summer.
Banh Mi Thap Cam (Assorted Vietnamese Sandwich) at Nguyen Huong
This Chinatown staple has been feeding the masses for less than $5 for generations, and we’d like like to give them their flowers.
Black Forest Ice Cream Sandwich at Ernie’s Icebox
Decadent black forest brownies with a tangy ice cream in the middle–this is the perfect summer sandwich.
The list definitely doesn’t end here, but for now, it does. If you’re on the hunt for sandwich to kick your cravings, here’s a great starting point.
–– Larry
