Sammie's is the Annex's newest spot for gourmet sandwiches.

Founded by Antoine Tran in May of 2025, this humble sandwich shop represents the culmination of a lifelong dream.

Antoine, whose family has been in the restaurant industry for more than thirty years, claims that he's wanted to run a sandwich shop for as long as he can remember.

"Sandwiches are something that everyone loves," Antoine explains. "You can find them in almost every culture, and there are hundreds of different types."

With this in mind, it's no surprise that he chose to set up shop on a busy stretch of Bloor Street, where people from all over the city can wander in for a bite to eat.

Though superficially similar to many of Toronto's other sandwich shops, Sammie's distinguishes itself in two important ways. The first is the physical space it occupies. Unlike many of its competitors, which consist of little more than a takeout counter, Sammie's features a full dining room with wooden furniture and plenty of potted plants.A surrealist art installation hangs above the main seating area, while an old school arcade machine is tucked away near the kitchen.

Speaking of the kitchen, this brings us to Sammie's other notable feature: instead of the partial kitchens commonly associated with takeout spots, Sammie's includes a full kitchen with ample storage space.

This allows Antoine and his staff to consistently create tasty sandwiches and delicious drinks.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee ($6) is rich, creamy and refreshing, thanks to a winning combination of dark roasted coffee grounds and condensed milk.Kettle Chips ($5) are cooked in small batches, allowing the thin-cut potatoes to absorb just the right amount of oil and achieve the perfect crunchy texture. The chips are then salted and served with a spicy dipping sauce.The Chicken Sandwich ($14) pairs grilled chicken with chimichurri and creamy cucumber coleslaw, resulting in a dish that is equal parts sweet and spicy.The Meatball Sandwich ($14) is a fresh take on a tried-and-true classic. In addition to the requisite tomato sauce and shredded cheese, diced jalapenos are added to give this meaty sandwich a much-needed kick.The Brisket Philly Cheese Sandwich ($14) is the shop's best seller, as well as Antoine's personal favourite menu item. Chopped beef brisket is smothered in homemade demi-glace, then served with shredded cheese and sauteed onions.The Vegan Sandwich ($14) is a master class in contrasting textures. Smooth, creamy hummus is spread over roasted red peppers, chopped zucchini and crunchy kettle chips, making every bite a delightful experience.Sammie's is located at 594 Bloor Street West.