Real Veal Cutlet Sandwhich
One thing that has apparently disappeared from Toronto is the real veal cutlet sandwich on a bun. Not some flattened, formed piece of choped meat mixed with saw dust, but real veal. Twenty years ago, there were lots places like of Bittner's and other little Eastern European deli that served them. The European delis are now largely gone, replaced by sushi and noodle places.
Is there any place that you can get a real veal sandwich. anymore? (St. Lawrence market is out since its so much trouble to get to.)



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Many people rave about California Sandwiches.
Also, there's a place on Victoria Park just North of Sheppard in a little house next to a mall that has really good veal sandwiches, meatballs, etc. I can't think of the name, but it's on the West Side of Vic Park, and it's pretty hard to miss.
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As mentioned above-for Italian style (sauce, peppers, onion cheese)California's can't be beat. The newer locations-St. Clair, Dufferin, Chesswood are great but the original on Claremont is still the best. For European style schnitzel sandwiches-The Scnitzel House or Schnitzel Place at Steeles just west of Yonge is great. The sandwiches are served on thick slices of white rye loaf and I ask for tomato, mayo, and fresh squeezed lemon. The Cutting Board at Davisville and Mt. Pleasant serves a schnitzel on a kaiser that's pretty good-however the schnitzel is cooked early in the morning and nuked when you order a sanwich. Not a crunchy schnitzel like the place at Yonge and Steeles. The St. Lawrence Market place that people rave about stinks!!
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Thank you
Another person who thinks Mustachio's at the market stinks. I was a voice crying in the wilderness.
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I third it.
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California's is great I fourth it. As is Commiso broths. and Racco. What I like about that place is that you actually go to the bakery and get to choose the bun on which to have your veal.
Its unfortunate that Ciccio Sandwhicio closed down because amazingly that had them both beat!
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Although open 24 hours a day-you can't compare the quality of a Comisso sanwich with that of a California's, and I've tried. Comisso's veal cutlets are dry, dark and sit for hours. After a night of heavy drinking these things become much less important, however with a clear head and empty stomach there really is no-on that can touch California's.
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...and you pay for it.
California makes a tasty sandwich but it's overpriced.
You are right however about Comisso's quality which can be hit or miss. Their hours however are great.
Cheapest sandwich I have found is at a place called Gippino's -- a grocery and tavola calda -- on Dufferin one block north of Glencairn. $2.99 a sandwich including mushrooms, sweet and hot peppers, and onions. Sandwich is good and high turnaround means they are fresh or fresh out. No chopped veal here either. Real meat.
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I've been meaning to check out the Schnitzel place at Yonge/Steeles for a long time and was finally able to the other day.
Great crunch. Very tasty and very huge! They have about 8 or so varieties which varies in price from $7 to $10 or so at lunch. Comes with potatoes/rice/dumplings and bread/butter.
Highly recommended.
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That place on Vic Park is ok, but not "The Best Veal Sandwich" as pointed out on their billboars.
A much better place is Francesca's Bakery on the eastside of McCowan just south of Sheppard.
Real Italian women making real Italian food.
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Does Francesca's have a sit down area?
And what are the prices like?
Thanks!
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The place on Vic Park jsut south of the Van Horne plaze used to be called Delicioso....It hink the name has been changed though. I think the original owners sold it.
There is a place in a plaza on the East side of Pharmacy just North of Finch. This place if great. There are always city trucks there and Firemen getting their veal sandwhichs there.
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I 2nd that choice!! . . . California Italian Sandwiches are the best!!! . . . The one I go to (I think it is the original) is located on Claremont street a few blocks west of Bathurst, and just north of Dundas . . . No need to check anywhere else... although, I'm sure our fellow foodies will come up with some more places . . . It's always good to compare.
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Rocco's on The Queensway (east of Parklawn) .. great sandwich -- Sauce, Toppings, Portions and Cheaper than California's (I think).
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Just moved onto the Danforth between Coxwell and Woodbine. Lovely little, and often overlooked, Italian district.
For Italian style veal sammiches, try Colombo's opposite the library or "Italian Bakery" (that's the name!) also on the north side near Roseheath. Both are take-outs with counters. Colombo's actually has a really good menu with a good variety of freshly made pastas and pies. We ordered the veal scalopini with marsala sauce last month and it was really enjoyable.
A Discovery! Recommended.
-Uncle Bobby
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I'm just west of you, and there are a few cafes and bakeries between Coxwell & Greenwood as well. There is a very good tavola calda/bakery on Danforth half a block east of Greenwood that has amazing veal sandwiches.. They are very busy for lunch.
There is also a decent italian grocery store called Jerry's Supermarket on the North side of Danforth, half a block west of Coxwell.
Apparently, this area used to be a very Sicilian area before most of the residents moved North of the city.
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I should have specified the name of the bakery: North Pole Bakery.
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Besides the Veal try the Rice balls - yummy !
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The North Pole is indeed excellent...I mentioned it here a long time ago....absolutely packed at times...Small family run joint, bit of a hole in the wall, but it does the job
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I haven't been to the North Pole in ages. If they still make their amazing sfogliatelle, you must try them. Go early - they would sell out quickly.
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I agree, this is an awesome area in which to savour various cuisines, esp wicked Italian sandwiches. I never bother with Little Italy (so called) because I like rapping with the little donnas on the Danforth much better.
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SE corner Keele/Wilson - newer strip plaza opposite the Burger King - 1077 Wilson #8 -Excellent Veal sandwiches
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I should mention this place is no longer in existence. Last time I went by it was a Vietnamese restaurant.
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There is a take-out place in Village by the Grange (McCaul S. of Dundas, around the corner from the Art Gallery of Ontario) that does a great schnitzel sandwich. It's more Eastern-European style (as opposed to Italian). The schnitzel is cooked to order and served on huge pieces of rye bread. They've been there for over 20 years! The name has "gypsy" in it - I think. It's at the southern end of the little food court area. Not to be confused with Helena's Magic Kitchen that makes pirogi.
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Yep. This the place I was going to add as I was reading thru the thread. Its fantastic! I like this style of breaded crispy veal like L'europe and Country Style used to be. On rye with mustard!
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Hey TM18, that's a great concept, if you have a few hours for lunch. But if not, California Sandwiches is definitely not the worst. In fact, it's one of the best, along with Sanfrancesco, Vinnies, and a few others. Personally, I like Trezanno Bakery at Dufferin and Wilson for a delicious lunch sandwich. Oh, by the way, I do make my own at home, too--just not when I'm in a hurry.
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Check out "The Prague" on Queen St. W. if you're looking for a great Weiner Schnitzel sandwich.
http://www.theprague.ca/sandwich.html
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