Best Italian Sandwich
Veal or Meatball CS or SF?? I need to know!!!
California Sandwich - I have found the veal to be a little tough on my last few visits however the original location is still the best.
San Francesco - I find them to be hit and miss on quality and taste.
Mustachio's - St Lawrence Market. They are consistant they are not the best but you know what you are getting every time.
Focaccia on Hayden (Yonge and Bloor) agian it's a good sandwich but I really want to try something GREAT.
Help me out
Connoisseur
Feb 28, 2007 09:34AM
Veal sandwiches at Vinnie's on Dupont (next to Universal Grill) are AMAZING.
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Went to Vinnies on Saturday for a veal, but the wait was 40 minutes. They had a breakin the night before and were backed up, so we settled for a steak which we were told would be ready in 15-20 min. It was ready in 5. It was a basic medium steak with onions.
I was glad the veal took 40 min otherwise I never would have had the best steak sandwich in my life. The meat is a pile of thin char-grilled mechanically tenderized cutlets, slightly chewy in a good way, with intense beef flavour, the onions sweet and soft, and the pepper a gigantic mutant ja-la-pa-no, sweet and smoky. The bun is one of the best kaisers I've ever had. It was also huge, and a great deal for 6 bucks.
Soooooo, try the steak.
Looking forward to going back for the veal. 3 out of 4 people who came in to order the veal when we were there were willing to wait the 40 min.
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Looking forward to hearing what you think about the veal. By far the best I've had in TO.
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Was the steak or the pepper "smoky"? Do they smoke their steaks?
Chow!
HL.
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They don't smoke anything per se, the smokiness comes from what I assume is grilling on a somewhat greasy gas grill at a temperature to ensure that the grilled items become carmelized.
I've noted the rave review of Mustachio and I have to disagree. The quality varies. They're very good if you get one with onions and peppers that have been cooked long enough and they put enough sauce on the sandwich. The meat is very thin typically and the batter therefore relatively thick. They always look good though.
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I agree about Mustachio. They are okay, but lack flavour, IMO. Not even in the top 5 best in TO.
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Mustachio's was better about 10-11 years ago when it first opened. Different owners and different chef.
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they need hot sauce BAD.
but once you get some on there they're great.
although, that's my idea of good eating in general, spice me up.
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ditto. the spicery the better
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California Sandwiches at 244 Claremont (dundas/Bathurst area)...there are a few other locations throughout the City, but I find the original location is still the best...lineups out the door every lunch hour...best to phone your order in ahead of time and pick it up.
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It most certainly is.
I like Dorio's on Weston or in Kettleby.
DT
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Commisso Bros Bakery
8 Kincort Street, York, ON M6M 3E1
Best veal sandwich ever
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It's been a few years for me. If they are the same as several years ago, I would agree.
Kirk
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We and other friends have tried several times. We were less than impressed. Nothing in particular, just not great overall. However, convenient after a night of drinking.
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Exactly! I used to stop in there 40 years ago, after a night on the town. My brother went one night to find the front blown out by a bomb. Ahhhh, the good old days--who needed the Sopranos back then?
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Commisso's is very good...open 24hours I believe
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Yep. Great place to go when you want a veal sandwich at 2am.
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I second Vinny's Panini. They have the best Veal Sandwich that I've tried in the city, hands-down. Veal is crisp on the outside but not tough. Loads of sauce and cheese. Bread is fresh. San Francesco's used to be amazing but their quality has definitely gone down (a great reputation seems to result in that all too often it seems). If you can do it, go for an extra spicy, with cheese. They oil and grill their own hot peppers and the result is to die for. Check that they're open first, though - they keep shorter hours than most restaurants in Toronto.
Vinny's Panini - 416-531-9454
787 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON M6G 1Z5
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Thank you I will try Vinny's and Commisso's they both sound up to the challenge. CS and SF are Definitely coasting. lol
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i've only had the sweet sausage at commisso's and it was pretty juicy with a nice crunch on the skin at like 10pm at night. if you can catch them while they're super fresh ie crunchy, love the canoli at commisso brothers. the ricotta has a wonderful sweet cheese flavour and matches so perfectly well with the tasty shell.
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It has been "years" since I had a drive by veal at Commisso brothers. Are they still as good as they were 20 years ago?
If you folks say they are, I will check them out again. Honest.
I have heard that they had fallen off a bit.
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Have you tried the sandwiches from Trezzano Bakery at the corner of Dufferin and Wilson? They have veal and meatball, but I also love the sausage. I always have it with sauce and a mix of sweet and hot peppers. They serve them on the best crusty panini too, not like those mushy kaisers that you get at, say, California. Don't get me wrong, I love California Sandwiches, but the bread at Trezzano is special. I think they're closed on Sundays.
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I live close to Dufferin and Wilson and I've passed by the Trezzano Bakery many times without noticing it at the south end of the strip mall. I made a special effort the other day and stopped in for a sandwich. I tried their meatball sandwich with sweet and hot peppers for $5. Very yummy! And yes, the bun was superior and excellent. The inside table area is a little dreary and rundown looking, but the few afternoon customers I saw were quite enthusiastic about the food. I'm sure I'll be back real soon to try another sandwich. Thanks for the tip!
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THE ABSOLUTE BEST IS Mustachios located on the lower level of the St. Lawrence market. The sandwiches are huge!!!!! You can order your sandwich on a bun or foccaccia and any combination of their veal, eggplant and chicken.
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.com,
Which other ones have you had? Why are they not as good as mustachios?
Chow!
HL.
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I've only had California's and I find the meat tough and chewy (one could almost argue it's veal at all - pehaps only thinly sliced beef).
At Mustachios I do have to admit that I usually order the veal and eggplant with extra sauce (perhaps seems more to me than those that order straight veal) - regardless I personally find it a much superior product than California's.
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I totally disagree. The veal sandwiches at Mustachios may be huge, but they lack flavour, big time. For a real tasty veal, go to California, San Fran, or perhaps the best, Vinny's on Dupont.
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i love mustachios. and yes i also like California as well.
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Sorry, if my experience there is any indication then Mustachio's is not worth any mention. One sliver of veal topped by about 5 layers of eggplant breaded to look exactly like veal does not a veal sandwich make. Leave this place for the worktime lunch crowd with no taste buds.
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There is a small family owned place in Richmond Hill, that I always go to, called Hollywood Panini. I prefer this place over California. Haven't tried San Fran or Vinny's yet.
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I like the veal sammies from Sweet Pepper on Bay just south of Wellesley and the meatball sammies from Scaccia in Manulife when in that area.
Do get a Mustachio's craving periodically, but I do add salt, extra sauce and hot peppers to the whole thing.
Am going to get my tail out to try Vinny's soon though, as I haven't tried it yet.
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Vinnie's is fantastic. far and away the best place for veal Sammies and i have tried Mustachio's, San Francesco, Commiso, Calif, etc.
They make it from scratch so it is sloooow. esp around lunch time.
Always best to phone your order in
416-531-9454
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are you talking about vinnies paninni just west of christie?
if so I just moved into the neighbourhood and noticed it the other day, have to stop buy if that's the case.
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yes
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We have tried Tre Rose on Kipling and La Rose Bakery at La Rose and Royal York among others , and we always go back to La Rose. Better than Mustachios, and California Sandwiches on Queensway.
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Good to hear about Vinnies- starting to think that Dupont has more hidden gems than I realize...
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Ciccio Sanwicchio on Yonge, just north of Lawrence - very authentic, real Italian owners - you'd swear you were in Italy. Toppings are spectacular. Onions are carmelized, mushrooms sauteed well, peppers are legitimately roasted... I went to Mustachio in St. Lawrence today - had never been - it was awful! Those free toppings seemed like a deal, but the fried veal and eggplant lacked flavour, and the toppings weren't well cooked. Onions were almost crispy, mushrooms, thick and under-cooked - same with peppers. Won't go again.
I must however give Mustachio credit where it's due. Seems there are many homeless people who frequent St. Lawrence for food hand-outs, and one such guy showed up while I was eating at their counter. While one of the male owners was a bit of a jerk to the poor guy, the matriarch of the shop gave him his veal sandwich without any grief. I give them credit for being kind to those less fortunate.
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California Sandwiches is awful
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I definitely second Ciccio. I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago and was very impressed.
There's small shop called Sweetpepper near Bay and Wellesley that looks promising, but I haven't had the pleasure.
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Ciccio Sanwiccio is the absolute best. It's in the area that I live in, and we absolutely love all of their authetic offerings. Great veal sandwiches, and if you prefer a vegetarian offering, try the eggplant parmesan sandwich. Very generous portions. The additional toppings are great - I usually do mushroom and mixed peppers. As far as their pastas are concerned, great meat sauce, tomato sauce, pink sauce (if you prefer)...and the salads are also fresh and ample. Great value, great taste and a feeling like you're sitting in someone's real Italian kitchen. Friendly service too. Can't beat it for eat in or take out. Da best.
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Has anyone tried the veal sandwiches at Santino's Bakery on Keele and Highway 7? They serve their veal on a fresh baked crispy baguette with juicy sweet and spicy peppers and an awesome tomato sauce. It's where I had my first veal sandwhich, so I might be biased. Still, it was light years ahead of Calif Sand.
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I believe Dante's has the best italian steak sandwich I have ever tasted. It is huge and on a great roll, packed with whatever you want on it. It is expensive but really good.
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which sandwich should a newbie try there?
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California Sandwiches is the best, but only a the original Dundas and Claremont location. I dont bother with the other locations. Will definitely give Vinnie's Panini a try though.
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The Queensway location of California's is as good as the original and very consistent. The place is always at least half full, so this isn't just my opinion.
Vinnies is superb, however if you get the veal and like it saucy, order extra sauce.
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La Rose Bakery! Oh my god- Beany, you have no idea the memories you've just brought back to me! I lived in that area as a young girl and once a week my mother would treat us to their veal sandwiches. It was heaven on a bun. I can't believe they are still around. Wow. I think it's time I went back to visit the old neighbourhood...
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You know everytime I hear of another good veal sandwich I try it but honestly nothing is as good as a La Rose sandwich...such a nice shop to browse in too :)
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I grew up in the area as well, and recall a time when La Rose had the best hot food counter in town.
Unfortunately, the prices have gone up and the quality down. I don't think you will be able to relive those childhood memories.
With that said, they still have tasty fresh bread, and a great antipasto/deli counter.
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Any talk of the best Italian sandwiches must include Colombo's at 1794 Danforth. Both the chicken parm and veal parm are excellent. The meat's super tender, not overly saucy, decent bun. About $6.00
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Do any of these places give you multiple tenderized pieces of thinly sliced veal, similar to San Francescos? Personally, I much prefer it to one hunk of meat.
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California's is usually two pieces, but all sandwiches have to be somewhat thin cuts of meat or they wont cook properly. So Im sure you will find all places have thinner cuts.
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I wouldn't even imagine going to eat at Colombo's again, I have tried his sandwiches and I had a very hard case of heart burn. The sauce is just out of the can and the bun was surely frozen before and it crumbled when I was eating it.
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ciccio sanwiccio on yonge north of lawrence....yum yum yum (I think I use that word a lot..LOL) is my favorite.
However there is a small joint that i use to go to at the south west corner of hwy 400 and 7..in a one of those strip malls....3 Italian women in the kitchen who serve fantastic Italian Sandwiches. They seem to have a following in the neighborhood!!! Cant remember the name of the place...perhaps that means I should visit again!!!
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Angelo's Hot Table in east york on Bermondsey has the best meatball sandwiches around. The meatballs are huge and the sauce is incredible. Onions, peppers and mushrooms all included for $6. Veal and sausage are also really good and customer service is great- they remember my name every time I go in!
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I agree with the comment on San Francesco. The only location I go to is on Finch West at Alness ( west of Dufferin 1 block ). The sandwiches are made the way you request them, generous meat portion a bonus. Veal is never dry, stringy or too chewy, HOORAY! A bit about the operation, busy around 10.00 a.m., before and after as Catering Trucks are serviced, so you can get a sandwich early. Same owner operating for I guess 3 decades counting short time at original Yonge/Steeles location which moved to Finch. Bonus in Noodle Delight is in the same plaza for some passable to quite good Chinese eat in/take out!
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Yeah i saw a huge lineup at the place in St Lawrence market over the weekend
wanted to try it but didnt feel like standing in line
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