The Best Peameal Bacon Sandwiches in Toronto

The best peameal sandwiches in Toronto evoke a comfortable sense of fictional Canadiana. One where all police officers look like Mounties and everyone sounds like they're from Newfoundland. Peameal - or Canadian Bacon - is one of the few internationally recognizable Canadian cultural signifiers.

So whether its in a BLT, pressed in a Panini with some melted cheese, or just piled between two pieces of bread it's Canadian. And unlike other Can Con Cuisine like say, poutine, it doesn't have any real geographical home base. That is, unless you're feeling a little Toronto centric (aren't we always?) and then, as this list suggests, you need to start at the St. Lawrence Market.

Photos by Luke Champion and Jesse Milns.

See also:

The best sandwiches in Toronto
The best panini in Toronto
The best BLT in Toronto

Paddington's Pump

Sometimes greatness is born from simplicity. Take for example the Paddington’s Pump peameal sandwich - just a soft white bakery fresh bun and lots of thin sliced salty peameal griddled golden. Add to that some pickles and tomato on the side for those who want to dress the sandwich up a bit, but there’s no need. $6.25 More »

Sausage King

The secret to success at the Sausage King lies in the garlic sauce. A good slathering of that stuff combined with some briny pickles and fresh tomatoes makes this another St. Lawrence Market must have. The peameal is sliced thin and served on a crusty Kaiser roll, just $4.99. More »

Carousel Bakery

A sammy for peameal purists - just a soft white hamburger bun stuffed with thick cut Canadian bacon. No veggies, no cheese, no sides. They must be doing something right though. Usually they're selling them about as quickly as they're being made, with a line up to boot. $6.50. More »

The Lakeview Restaurant

One of the best things about the peameal sandwich at the Lakeview is that no matter when you get a craving, you can have one. Their “never closed” philosophy means that one of the city’s truly great sandwiches is available - always. Served with lettuce, tomatos, ancho chili garlic mayo and a side of fries or salad - oh, and melted cheddar cheese. This one goes for a measly $8.50. More »

Drift Bar

While not a menu item per se, the peameal sandwich at Drift is a specials board staple. Whether it’s rolled up in a wrap or pilled high between two pieces of crusty bread it never disappoints. And when paired with their thick cut French fries it’s pretty close to perfect. $8.00 More »

Avenue Open Kitchen

For over 30 years the Avenue Open Kitchen has been an institution in the garment district, and for good reason. Their home cooked cuisine is the epitome of no frills comfort food. Take for example the peameal sandwich - super thick pieces of tender peameal with fresh lettuce and tomatoes and lots of creamy mayo, and all for $4.95. More »

Boom Breakfast

How do you make a BLT better? Easy, just add peameal. That’s right, Boom spoils its patrons by giving them both peameal AND regular old strip bacon along with the requisite lettuce and tomato on toasted bread. Price of admission is $7.89. More »

Real Sports Bar

Real Sports invokes Toronto’s Peameal Mecca by naming their sandwich after the St. Lawrence Market. Served with cheddar cheese, sauteed onions, mustard and a side of either fries or salad, its $10.99 price tag is on the pricier end of this list, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better sandwich. More »