La Bella Sangweech literally translates to "a beautiful sandwich," and that's exactly what this Little Italy shop is serving up.

Since its opening in December 2023, La Bella Sangweech has impressed visitors with its thick and flavourful Italian sandwiches. 

Italian Canadian owners Jess Anelli and Angie Russo say that opening a sandwich shop has always been a bucket list item. When an opportunity arose at "the right place and time," they decided to dive straight in.

Co-owners Jess Anelli (Left) and Angie Russo (Right)

The duo wanted a shop that had modern aesthetics but fully embraced the Italian culture and history they knew and loved — especially in the food.

You'll feel their commitment to a classy and beautiful aesthetic the moment you step foot in the shop. Pink is the colour of choice, reflected in everything from the blush-colored walls to the stylized merch they both wear.

But, once you taste the food or talk to the owners, it becomes clear the shop is truly a love letter to the Italian culture they grew up in.

The small menu boasts 6 variations, ranging from $15 to $17. Each is loaded with a selection of fresh cheeses, layers of Italian deli meats (cut in-store), and La Bella Sangweech signatures like their house-made "Bella Sauce."

You can also opt to add on things like their house-made spicy calabrese chili paste called "Bella's Bomba" ($1), 8oz of house-marinated olives ($5), or an Italian soda to complement your meal ($3).

Menu from La Bella Sangweech

All the sandwiches are served on soft Focaccia from the neighboring Riviera Bakery, a long-standing Little Italy fixture. 

Their top sellers are "La Big Bella" ($17), "La Godmother" ($16), "La Mangiacake" ($16), and "La Fresca" ($15), which is their vegetarian option.

"La Big Bella", meaning the "big beauty", is the most expensive sandwich on the menu. Four different types of meat are layered on the focaccia — mortadella, hot soppressata, prosciutto, and capicola.

Then come the cheeses (provolone and mozzarella) and the toppings (olive salad and iceberg lettuce). When you top that off with the secret Bella Sauce, you truly get a "big beauty" of a sandwich.

"La Big Bella"

"La Godmother", in comparison, is a slightly smaller endeavor. At 3 meats (capicola, hot soppressata, salami) and 1 cheese (stratchiatella). The sandwich is pulled together with sundried tomatoes, rocket, and of course, Bella Sauce.

"La Godmother"

Next up is "La Mangiacake", a cheeky reference to an Italian slang word for non-Italians. This sandwich features the more "mainstream" meats that people would be familiar with, like turkey, ham, and salami. 

After adding iceberg lettuce, tomato, and mustard, La Bella Sangweech adds back some Italian taste with pepperoncini and Bella Sauce.

"La Mangiacake", paired with Brio, an Italian soda.

Last but not least is "La Fresca", one of the cheapest options at $15. As the vegetarian option, the toppings are similar to a Caprese sandwich: mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, rocket, pesto, and topped with balsamic glaze. 

"La Fresca", paired with a San Pellegrino.

Russo grew up at Dufferin and St.Clair, immersed in a strong Italian community. She calls her childhood a mix of contemporary and traditional values.

While both parents became "modern business people", family time still meant her mother cooking classics like pasta, sandwiches, meat, and tiramisu.

Part of growing up Italian in Toronto meant spending a lot of time in Little Italy, with her grandparents who were amazed by her opening up La Bella Sangweech. "They said 'Oh my god, you're on College Street!' because to them, that's like the biggest thing in the world."

For her, that's where the pride comes from. "It makes me feel good to contribute not only to the community but also contribute to my family and their happiness."

Russo is not the only one making grandparents proud. Anelli's father passed away when she was young, and when her mother had to work, her nonna stepped up to help raise her.

"She inspired me every day, from her very good nature to her not sweating the small things, I learned a lot from her. And food was a very big part of our lives."

Living right next door, her nonna would pick her up from school, and make her "la bella sangweech" for lunch every day, hence the name.

"It's a cheeky way to pay homage to Italian Canadians, anyone who's Italian can tell you what a 'sangweech' is. We just picture a little nonna saying she's going to make you a bella sangweech! Not a sandwich," Anelli says, laughing.

As a result of their heritage and memories of loved ones, the delicious sandwiches Russo and Anelli are infused with nostalgic feelings of family and community. It's a taste they hope to share with everyone who comes through their door.

La Bella Sangweech is located at 584 College St.