Ariete e Toro serves authentic Italian-style sandwiches from a small storefront just north of Yonge and Eglinton.

Founded in February of 2025, mere days before a record-breaking snowstorm, Ariete e Toro was created by a couple with many years of experience in the hospitality industry.

The owners, who wish to remain anonymous, came up with the concept for the restaurant while vacationing in Italy.

While visiting Florence, the couple realized that the city’s iconic schiacciata sandwiches lacked a strong presence in Toronto. Convinced that the concept would "really work" back home in Toronto, the duo made it their mission to introduce it to the Canadian market.

Their sandwich shop consists of an open-concept kitchen and a cozy waiting area, separated by a small walk-up counter. From the benches near the entrance, guests can watch as the team behind the counter carefully prepares their order.They can also browse the store's extensive collection of imported goods, including Italian chips, cookies, and sauces, all of which can be found on a small shelf to the left of the front door.Due to the limited space, Ariete e Toro can only serve six guests at a time. Other customers are invited to wait outside until their number is called, a process which usually takes between five and ten minutes.
The food is well worth the wait. Each sandwich is made by hand, using fresh schiacciata bread and a wide variety of toppings, including cured meats, fresh vegetables and creamy spreads.

You can choose from a selection of preset sandwiches, or build your own from a list of ingredients. The San Lazzaro ($18) is one of the shop's two top sellers, as well as my personal favourite. It consists of San Michele prosciutto, gorgonzola dolce crema, fresh arugula and saba vinegar.

The sandwich's most surprising ingredient is pear crudo, which adds a touch of sweetness to the otherwise savoury dish. Its crisp, juicy texture provides an interesting contrast to the dry meat and soft cheese.

The Enzo ($17) is the San Lazzaro's nutty opposite number, made with mortadella, pistachio pesto and stracciatella cheese. Chopped pistachios give this sandwich a slightly crunchier finish, while basil and extra-virgin olive oil give it a more cohesive feel.The Ultimo ($17) layers finocchiona salami, onion crema, fennel crudo and sundried tomatoes between two slices of thick, crispy bread. Rosemary oil is added to enhance the sandwich's fresh herbal flavour.If you're looking for something a little spicier, try the Nuovo Toro ($19). This sandwich comes loaded with petto di manzo — beef brisket, for those not in the know — as well as pesto genovese, caciocavallo soresina, bomba calabrese and chopped pine nuts.

The combination of the rich caciocavallo cheese and zesty bomba calabrese gives the sandwich a slight kick, not so much as to be overwhelming, but just enough to make it a bit more interesting. Although Ariete e Toro has only been open for a few months, the shop has already garnered significant attention.

The owners hope to expand both the physical space and the menu in the months to come, but for now, they are simply grateful for the attention they have received and hope to give back to the community in any way they can.

Ariete e Toro is located at 12 Keewatin Avenue.