Restaurants
Murrays Sandwich Emporium
Murrays Sandwich Emporium, recently opened at Queen and Bathurst, joins the ranks of a handful of west-end eateries that open not only for lunch hours, but also cater to the area's late night crowd. Early in the week this small sandwich shop serves from lunchtime until 10pm, but Thursday to Saturday when the 2am post-bar munchies run rampant on this strip, these indulgent sandwiches can be had as late as 4am. At a more reasonable hour, my friend and I decide to stop in for a quick lunch to see what Murrays has to offer.
The restaurant's narrow space with exposed brick and wood floors consists of a counter at the back and three communal tables along one side. A steady stream of people grabbing takeout continues throughout our meal, but the small room is also much more welcoming for a sit-in meal than a lot of the area's surrounding fast food joints. As hip hop plays from speakers overhead, we examine the chalkboard menu, the kitschy sandwich names adding to the quirky theme the place seems to be going for.
The menu consists of eight different sandwiches - six savoury and two sweet - and a handful of sides like a daily soup, fries, onion rings and chili. None of the options are particularly healthy, but some, like the sweet ones, are unquestionably over the top. But I guess in the grand scheme of the city's burger and poutine obsession, this really isn't so bad. After much deliberation and suggestions from the cashier, we place our order and grab a spot at one of the tables to wait for our meal to begin, and let's just say I'm glad I came hungry.
Though we're tempted by items like The Dogfather (choice of breaded veal, chicken or eggplant with roasted peppers and tomato sauce) and Gimme The Keys Grilled Cheese (triple decker grilled cheese with the option of adding bacon), when the cashier mentions that The Uncle Phil ($9) is her absolute favourite, we decide this is a must try.
The very generously sized take on a cheesesteak sandwich consists of sliced rib eye, sauteed onions and green peppers, and gooey, melted provolone cheese piled on a fresh baguette. This classic combination of ingredients is comfort food to be sure, and though we find the meat to be a little on the dry side, it's still an enjoyable sandwich. Nine dollars may seem a bit steep, but in the restaurant's defense the serving is pretty gigantic.
The BL-Tizzy ($8 - top photo), the restaurant's version of a BLT, is by far the favourite of the meal. A giant, soft white bun holds strips of very crispy double smoked bacon, romaine lettuce, slices of fresh tomato, and a big scoop of lemony guacamole to top it all off. The guacamole is the perfect addition, and though some of the Uncle Phil goes unfinished, we devour the entire BLT in no time flat.
Intrigued by the sweet sandwiches on the menu - strawberry jam or nutella, rolled and fried - we opt for The Nutorious ($5). The sandwich consists of white bread smeared with nutella, rolled up and dropped in the deep fryer, and served with a little container of whipped peanut butter for dipping.
I know, more carnival food than appropriate lunchtime fare, but nonetheless, somewhat irresistible. Almost like a donut in consistency, by the time we sample this confection, after eating the already heavy savoury sandwiches, we begin to feel like we've pushed it too far. Regardless of bordering on extreme fullness, I have to admit that this greasy dessert tastes pretty good.
Murrays Sandwich Emporium may not offer what could be considered a light lunch, but the restaurant's short card of classically comforting sandwiches makes for a quick and satisfying meal. And with items that have definite late night snack appeal beyond the usual poutine or pizza, being open till the wee hours of the morning will most likely prove worthwhile.
Photos by Taralyn Marshall
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Grow up... Jaggoff!
UNCLE PHIL FOR LIFE!!!
also, LOVE the logo!
the phil- really nice flavor, tender beef.
the dogfather- AMAZING tomato sauce great italian sandwich
i loving the new place to get a great sandwich.(close to home)
Hahahaha crushed twix on wonderbread? Maad povo
Reggies and The Counters burgers/sandwiches destroy Murray's on every conceivable level. Hell, even Oh Boy! and Craft Burger are better in my opinion.
Far from bulk bin nonsense.
Don't think they are really competing with The Counter.
went to reggies instead and had a mediocre, small sandwich and basically uncooked fries, plus i had to be on king street. ever since they changed the menu reggies has gone consistently downhill. i probably won't bother any more. i'll give murrays a chance if they stop lying to me
anyways, im going to check this place out this weekend-thanks for the head's up
14.00 for a sandwich combo for lunch. HA HA. you can get a 'full real meal' for that price.
Way to many other proper places in that hood.
Murrays=deadpool in 2011.
sorry about your greed.
Except your not eating garbage at Murrays.
Plus the Sammies are a "Full Meal"
Stupid.
This place is super tasty. If you want to eat a meal for $5 go eat at Mcdonnies!
Ohh wait u can't even do that.
This place is OK - the food IS decent (I've eaten there a number of times), but it IS overpriced.
Food is decent but for the same cost you can get a full meal elsewhere. Reggie's is garbage pure and simple.
what business on queen street doesnt open on sundays (minus ghandi's but that's on a different level)? unless you're well established and get enough business during the week (again...ghandi's) there is no reasonable defence to not being open.
anyhow, the menu does look rather slim to the point where only one item (and potentially another on my "i'll give it another chance" second visit)looks like a winner.
Haters gonna hate.
Yes we are closed Sunday's.
Also closed at 11pm Fri/Sat till the weather gets nicer.
P.s. Sally is a mentally unstable ex employee.
We had to let her go cuz she cried her first day on the job.
Not to mention she couldn't peal an apple if her life depended on it.
Her name is Christine Robbins .. BRUTAL!
quit dickin around and get on the porchetta train. 6 bucks. i don't need to be paying ten dollars for a blt, even if it is tasty.
Big man sandwiches not for the weak. Every sandwich is made fresh as you order. The open kitchen let's you watch as the chef creates his masterpieces. Great atmosphere for a casual lunch with friends. Go for the premium meal with the Boylan soft drink. This is the best sandwich shop on Queen.
Thank you Murray.
and there is absolutely that caters to someone who dodesn't want a 3000cal meal.
...and i didn't have an option of the staff/owner until now.
i will NEVER EVER step foot in this place again. I will also tell my friends about this thread.
I won't support a business owner with such an attitude.
I hope you guys are deadpool 2011.
Now 20 bones for two sandwiches is a bit pricey, but the quality of the product is there. I would eat another one if I given the chance.
I would rater pay the $2 more for the high quality ingredients then just have been okay with my meal.
p.s - table top arcade machine is a a great touch.
First.. get over the fact that there is no diet sandwiches at Murrays, even the all veggie "DogFather" for the Vegan in you is HUGE...
Murrays samies are built for the big person in you.. Yes the sandwiches are HUGE.... You can share if you are of the petite size.. Not a problem..
All sandwiches are made fresh, right there in front of you. They're big, you get lots of Sandwich.. Don't forget to feed the dog (Murray)at the cash..
As I've said.. Best Hungry man's (or woman's) sandwich On Queen street..
Check out my review at http://verypleasedtoeatyou.tumblr.com/post/18742460232/murrayssandwichemporium
First.. get over the fact that there is no diet sandwiches at Murrays, even the all veggie "DogFather" for the Vegan in you is HUGE...
Murrays samies are built for the big person in you.. Yes the sandwiches are HUGE.... You can share if you are of the petite size.. Not a problem..
All sandwiches are made fresh, right there in front of you. They're big, you get lots of Sandwich.. Don't forget to feed the dog (Murray)at the cash..
As I've said.. Best Hungry man's (or woman's) sandwich On Queen street..
ur Sandwich shop......