The Best Sandwiches in Toronto

The best sandwiches in Toronto have a way of bringing people together. While few vegans care to weigh in on the issue of the best sauce-soaked ribs in the city--and, likewise, meat-eaters on the whole care not for sesame tempeh debates, everyone can appreciate the glory of a good sandwich.

It starts with great bread, naturally, which must compliment as much as contain the "meat" (figuratively speaking) of the sandwich. And whatever is put inside--slow-roasted brisket, veal smothered in homemade sauce, or BBQ tofu on a bed of arugula--it must be fresh, hearty, filling, and delicious. I'm sure everyone knows what I'm talking about.

Here is the list of the best sandwiches in Toronto.

See also:

The best panini in Toronto
The best peameal bacon sandwiches in Toronto

Note: A previous version of this list was published in May 2008. Comments below made up until January 24th, 2012 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept most of the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.

Top left photo by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Fish Store

We usually think of cold cuts, hearty meatballs, pulled pork or layers of cheese when pining for a sandwich, except if anywhere in the vicinity of The Fish Store. This tiny shop makes incredible grilled fish sandwiches using fresh catfish, grouper, salmon or whatever else is on hand, enveloped in a Portuguese bun and paired with homemade soup on the side. More »

Porchetta and Co.

This is some sloppy, tasty sandwich delight right here. Porchetta and Co. is somewhat new to Toronto but has already wooed meat-lovers with its marinated pork shoulder wrapped in prosciutto and cured belly. Baked beans, roasted potatoes, and braised rapini on the side, and drooling becomes a woefully uncontrollable mechanism. More »

Black Camel

Another wonderful sloppy sandwich source, Black Camel serves five types of fall-apart, sauced sandwiches. Its beef brisket is my favourite, marinated for three days and slow-cooked for 12 hours. Black Camel hasn’t forgotten about vegetarians either, offering a tomato, eggplant, red pepper, and arugula sandwich. More »

California Sandwiches

Not sure if it’s precisely like they do it in California (or at all), but California Sandwiches knows how to make a quality veal sandwich. With locations all over the GTA, the sandwiches here might be a little pricier than most, but for those who know classic Italian sandwiches, the cost is well worth it. More »

The Grilled Cheese

Your favourite elementary home-for-lunch food has been jazzed up and adorned and made even more delicious. The grilled cheese sandwiches at this Kensington Market shop evoke all those warm comfort food feelings, and yes, there’s even tomato soup on the side. More »

Urban Herbivore

Yes, there’s no meat, but even carnivores can appreciate these plant-based creations. The BBQ tofu and/or avocado sandwich is an obvious winner, though Urban Herbivore also makes a great roasted veggie, sesame tempeh, and other sandwiches, all served on an olive or whole grain ciabatta. More »

Mustachio

These sandwiches need two hands. And maybe a fork. Thoroughly Italian and served on Kaiser or foccacia, Mustachio’s sandwiches are even more irresistible after a long day exploring the goods at St. Lawrence Market. Veal, eggplant, chicken, and more. More »

Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder

Slow-cooked is taken a bit more literally at Stockyards, but most don’t mind waiting the 20 minutes or so for one of its pulled pork or BBQ beef brisket sandwiches. Like every good smokehouse, most of the options are best served with a dousing of BBQ sauce, as well as a helping of ‘slaw on the side. More »

The County General

Fried chicken thigh sandwich on a buttermilk bun. Need I say more? Well, maybe, especially since The County General’s smoked peppercorn brisket also keeps the “cowboys” near. There are less gluttonous options, however, such as the white bean “meatball” sandwich" but it can be redeemed with a fried egg or peameal add-on. More »