1. The Porchetta
At Porchetta & Co., the house special is a must (for obvious reasons): porchetta — or, roasted pork shoulder for the newbies — crispy skin cracklings, truffle sauce, parmesan, mustard and hot sauce. Be prepared to be wow-ed.
Porchetta & Co., 825 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 352 6611
2. The Chicken Piri
Brock serves up a number of ridiculously delicious sandwiches, but go for the chicken piri piri if you know what’s good for you — crispy chicken, charred onion and lettuce piled high on a bun. Note: the photo does not do justice for the amount of flavor of this sandwich.
Brock Sandwich, 1260 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 748 1260
3. The Fried Calamari
Three Little Pigs, a Barberian’s Steak House spinoff, has got it going on. While the steak sandwich is a popular (delicious) choice, we’re always dreaming of the fried calamari sandwich — crispy squid, lemon mayo, lettuce, tomato and cucumber on a bun. Three words: Mouth. Is. Watering.
TLP, 15 Elm St, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 662 3546
4. The Torta
Tortería San Cosme is all about the Mexican torta, and we’re just as in love. Go for the ‘Cubana’ — smoked Sanagan’s ham, smokey bacon, abobo-roasted pork, melted Gouda cheese, chipotles, sliced tomato, avocado and spicy Caplansky mustard sandwiched between Blackbird Baking Co. bread. Triple pork — how could we not?!
Tortería San Cosme, 181 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 599 2855
5. The Roasted Chicken
Carver is based on the premise of serving slow-roasted meats — while the porchetta is on point, go for the chicken sandwich: locally sourced, herb roasted chicken with fresh basil, tomato chutney and charred lemon aioli; and don’t forget the loaded potato.
Carver, 101 Peter St, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 748 1924
6. The Italian Veal
San Fran’s is an institution in Toronto, and continues to make one of the best veal sandwiches in town. Breaded veal, melted cheese and marinara make up this simple masterpiece, served piled high on a bun. Don’t forget the extra sauce (spicy, please) and a side of hot peppers.
San Francesco Foods, 10 Clinton St, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 534 7867
7. The Smoked Meat
If you’re on the search for a sandwich that makes meat the star, Caplansky’s has got your back (you can forget about the veg on this one). The smoked meat sandwich, piled high on rye with a pickle, will satisfy any meat lover’s dream; don’t forget to get it ‘fresser’ style and double your meat for a special meat experience.
Caplansky’s Deli, 356 College St, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 500 3852
8. The Lox Bagel-wich
Schmaltz Appetizing kills it with their bagel sandwiches, particularly the ‘chub chub’: smoked whitefish salad, gravlax, horseradish cream cheese & dill cucumbers. Don’t forget to put it on pumpernickel.
Schmaltz Appetizing, 414 Dupont St, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 350 4261
9. The Seafood Po’Boy-Banh Mi
Fresh Off The Boat is the spot if you’re dreaming of seafood. While the Maine lobster roll and soft shell crab sandwich are popular (and delicious) choices, the FOB is next level: deep-fried pepper-battered catfish topped with spicy kimchi, sprouts and drizzled with a spicy aioli.
Fresh Off The Boat, 404 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 603 3333
10. The Peameal Bacon
This list wouldn’t be complete without the famous peameal bacon sandwich from Carousel Bakery — a Toronto staple, simple but delicious. No fancy toppings here where bacon is the star: grilled layers of peameal (back bacon) are stuffed into a soft bun, and while toppings are discouraged, mustard is always a nice addition. Hello, bacon heaven.
Carousel Bakery, 93 Front St E,Unit 42, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 363 4247
11. The Lobster Roll
Only available on Buster’s Sea Cove food truck, the Maine lobster roll is something of a vision: chunks of lobster, creamy mayo, celery and chives on a soft roll. While the market sometimes features the lobster roll, it’s worth it to search out the food truck for this magical creation.
Buster’s Sea Cove, 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 369 9048
12. The Brisket
Black Camel is serving a whole list of banging sandwiches, but the brisket is by far the star of the show. The five day process involves three-days of marinating, 12 hours of slow-roasting and 24 hours of resting. Tossed with housemade BBQ sauce and stuffed inside a Portuguese roll from Progress Bakery, this one is to die for, we promise. Don’t forget the caramelized onions (these are extra) and a side of the Charamoula mayo — garlic, lemon, cilantro and smoked paprika blended with mayo.
Black Camel, 4 Crescent Rd, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 929 7518
13. The Hambaoger
Lucky Red has a long list of tasty Asian-inspired snacks, but the ‘Ham Bao Ger’, an Asian spinoff of the popular Big Mac, is magical to say the least — ground beef, ‘secret sauce’, lettuce and pickles stuffed inside a warm, pillowy bao. We couldn’t have imagined something so great even in our wildest dreams.
Lucky Red, 318 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 792 8628
14. The Churrasco
Completo brings classic Latin dishes to Toronto, but this isn’t your average ‘fast food’ — the loaded fries, tacos and sandwiches are all made with fresh ingredients. Go for the ‘churrasco’, their specialty: Chilean grilled steak, mayo, tomato, avocado, house-made hot sauce, roasted red pepper sauce on a toasted bun.
Completo, 5 Coady Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 901 9233
15. The Grilled Cheese
If you’re in the mood for a stack of melty goodness, there’s no better spot than specialty cheese shop, Cheesewerks. While all of the sandwiches are mighty fine representations of cheese-love, the ‘Charleston’ is the perfect balance of sweet and salty: double-cream Brie, caramelized onions and apricot chutney grilled between two slices of raisin bread. Mmmmm… cheese.
Cheesewerks, 56 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 243 3327
16. The Ham & Swiss
Sterling Social is a quaint, little café serving homestyle cuisine in The Junction; the ham and swiss sandwich is nothing short of amazing — roasted bone-in ham (see photo below) cut into thick slices and layered with maple mayo, tarragon Dijon mustard, arugula and melted cheese inside a soft bun. Everything is made in-house, so it’s no wonder this sandwich is something special. Note: this is not your average ‘ham and cheese’.
Sterling Social, 1421 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON, Canada
17. The Fried Eggplant
For all you veggie lovers, the fried eggplant sandwich at Uno Mustachio is for you (meat eaters can get it with veal, a delicious addition) — breaded eggplant, sautéed mushrooms, hot peppers, melted cheese and housemade tomato sauce all piled on top of a warm Kaiser roll, or freshly baked Foccacia if that’s your style. This one’s not to be missed.
Uno Mustachio, 95 Front St E, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 367 8325
18. The Jerk Chicken
Kensington Market local Italian-Jamaican spot, Rasta Pasta, is known for their incredibly authentic and flavorful jerk chicken — what better way to enjoy a nice jerk chicken than sandwiched between two slices of bread? ‘The Vatican’ is just that: two-day marinated chicken and homemade coleslaw grilled to perfection.
Rasta Pasta, 61 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 501 4505
19. The Muffaletta
Previously known as The Hogtown Cure, The Cure serves up Canadian cuisine featuring local ingredients. The BLT and pulled pork are both brilliant choices, but the ‘muffaletta’ is the star, especially if you’re a true Canadian with a love for a good muffaletta — house smoked brisket, smoked olive salad, provolone and roasted garlic mayo. #Drool.
The Cure, 1484 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 725 5550
20. The Fried Chicken & Waffles
The Dirty Bird is cranking out perfectly fried chicken and house-made waffles in Kensington Market, but making it a sandwich takes this joint to the next level. Go for the ‘Dirty Bird’ger’ — a deep-fried boneless chicken thigh topped with maple aioli, lettuce, tomato, pickles and red onion sandwiched between two mini golden waffles and drizzled with their special ‘dirty sauce’. Fried chicken, meet waffle — what a beautiful creation.
The Dirty Bird Chicken + Waffles, 79 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 345 2473
21. The Meatball
Boar Sandwiches is the spot if you’re looking for a solid meatball sandwich — if you want it simple, the tomato sauce, provolone cheese and caramelized onions are a must. Want to take it to the next level? Sub the provolone for mozzarella di Bufala, and add the roasted hot peppers and Cremini mushrooms. Boom.
Boar Sandwiches, 3 Glebe Rd E, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 482 1616
22. The Smoked Pulled Pork
For world class barbecue, you can’t go wrong with any of the items at Smoque and Bones — and, all of the sandwiches (chicken, pulled pork, peppercorn beef and brisket) are out of this world. If you’re a first timer, go for the pulled pork: smoked pork, BBQ sauce, creamy coleslaw and a soft bun. BBQ and all it’s glory.
Smoque and Bones, 869 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 341 5730
23. The Buffalo Chicken
Delica is a healthier spot if you’re in the mood for a ‘wich, and the ‘spicy bird’ is by far the best one on the menu — chicken marinated in Frank’s Red Hot sauce, shredded carrot, lettuce, hot peppers and a blue cheese aioli piled between a white roll from ACE Bakery. If you’re into hot and spicy chicken wings, this is the sandwich for you.
Delica Kitchen, 920 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 546 5408
24. The BBQ Jackfruit
Feast is Toronto’s new delivery service that offers healthy meals cooked by local chefs featuring local and fresh ingredients with a menu that changes daily. For all the non-meat-eaters out there, try to catch the BBQ Jackfruit sandwich while you still can — jackfruit, BBQ sauce, sautéed onions, cabbage, grilled pineapple, ‘bread and butter’ pickles and mayo are piled high on a bun for an interesting spin on the typical BBQ sandwich, one that’s so delicious it’s bound to entice meat eaters alike.
Delivery service; orders must be made online.
25. The Döner
At Otto’s Berlin Döner, Berlin street food is their specialty, serving up some of the best döner and currywurst in the city. Go for the veal and lamb döner — shredded veal and lamb piled high inside a fladenbrot, a circular flatbread, and stuffed with lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, onions and cucumber. Be sure to add the feta and extra garlic sauce, which is made in house.
Otto’s Berlin Döner, 256 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 347 7713
26. The Arepa
The ‘pabellon’ from El Arepazo is something special — grilled steak, black beans, fried plantains, and melted queso fresco are served inside a steaming arepa, Venezuela’s classic street food dish made from ground corn meal. If you’ve never had an arepa before, do yourself a favor and indulge; plus, it’s gluten-free (if you’re into that sort of thing!).
El Arepazo, 181 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 472 1011
27. The Cubano
La Cubana is just what it sounds like — the perfect spot if you’re a fan of the classic ‘Cuban.’ The ‘pressed Cubano’ is an all-time fave, which features double pig (ham and shredded pork), melted gruyere cheese, red onion, cornichon (a small French pickle), mustard and mayo; however, opt for it ‘medianoche’ style, which is served on a soft bun instead of the traditional sliced bread.
La Cubana, 392 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 538 7500
28. The Falafel
This one goes out to all the vegetarians: head to Dr. Laffa‘s for one of the best falafels in town — go for the laffa bread (see below) and be sure to get it with everything.
Dr. Laffa Restaurant, 3027 Bathurst St, North York, ON, Canada, +1 647 352 9000
By Culture Trip Toronto