I was staying in the neighborhood and had a craving for a cubano sandwich. It was a quiet Tuesday…read morenight. I popped in, sat at the counter, and was greeted immediately by a pleasant woman who took my "to go" order and told me the sandwich would be ready in just a few. While I was waiting, she kindly asked if I needed anything to drink. I declined. Shortly after I took home perhaps the best cubano sandwich I ever had. The warm sandwich had a perfect balance of ingredients. The Cuban bread with a thin crispy crust and soft inside made for a perfect mouth-feel. Absent was globs of mayo and mustard, flavors that often override the real stars of the show, the roast pork and ham. In it's place was a light dressing that complemented the meats perfectly. I've had Cubano sandwichs in Miami and NYC. The Cubano served up at LaCubana is as good, if not better. The only shortcoming: malta (a non- alcoholic malt beverage, popular in Puerto Rico and Cuba) wasn't available.

What we ordered: * Ham and cheese croquetas…read more* Coconut shrimp (special) * Guava bbq short rib (very good!) Service * Server was super nice and even took a picture of us * Very attentive and polite Ambience * Super old school diner vibes with cool Cuban gear and decor * Only downside is the bathroom is down some steep stairs with not a lot of air flow.

Alfie's - The Mona Lisa Sandwich!…read more At $27, this is definitely a more indulgent sandwich! The Mona Lisa is an Italian-inspired creation featuring 24-month Prosciutto di Parma, creamy burrata, truffle cream, lemon basil pesto, chopped pistachios and fresh baby arugula. A luxurious combination of salty prosciutto, rich and creamy burrata, earthy truffle and a lovely hint of freshness from the lemon basil pesto. The pistachios add a little crunch, bringing everything together. Definitely a step up from your everyday deli sandwich! Beautifully layered with upscale ingredients and a decadent Italian flair. A little splurge for sandwich lovers looking for something special!

After Badiali, this is another hype that is 200% real in Toronto…read more Alfie has drawn enormous buzz, online and off, since last year. The focus is Tuscan-style sandwiches on sourdough flatbread, built with fresh ingredients straight from Naples, and you can absolutely taste Naples in every bite. For Italian sandwiches, it is one of the best in the city, if not the very best. I've visited twice, once earlier this year and once today. The first time I had the Torino ($21), and today the Chicken Milano ($21). Torino Prosciutto di Parma, stracciatella, truffle cream, spicy eggplant, baby arugula. This was my favourite of the two. The stracciatella and truffle cream were generously spread, and the sandwich is massive and hearty. Don't let the size fool you, though: the flavours have the finesse of a fine-dining plate. It was nutty, umami, creamy, with hints of spice and sweetness, the truffle dancing over the salty, buttery, velvety prosciutto, which was cured to perfection. Everything fused into the pillowy, tender sourdough flatbread. I honestly don't know how a sandwich could get better. Chicken Milano Smoked chicken breast, lemon basil pesto, stracciatella, tomato, fried onion, arugula, chili oil. Also amazing. The smoked chicken was tender, never overpowering or too salty, and kept its succulent flavour, which seems to be how Alfie treats all its proteins. The pesto melted into the arugula, adding tang and a slight bitterness, balanced by the spice and umami of the chili oil and tomato. My favourite part was the crispy onion: a wonderful, fun texture. The one flaw was that the chili oil became slightly too spicy by the end for me. I took the rest home, drizzled it with honey, and it was the best thing ever. What makes Alfie special is that you keep thinking about it after a single visit. The flavours linger like a ghostly residue, etched in your memory, and you can't wait to return. Next time, I'm going for the Mona Lisa. The price is on the high side, about $25 after tax and tip for a sandwich, but think of it as two meals and it feels far more reasonable. The wait is always long (it's very busy - the market is small and only allows takeaway), but you usually don't have to queue to order, unlike at Badiali. My tip: order first, grab a coffee or ice cream at a nearby spot, then come back to pick up your sandwich.

I was walking down Ossington a while back and I noticed Linny's Luncheonette was getting ready to…read moreopen, so I vowed to return. Return I did on a recent Saturday and we showed up just as they were opening up for the day, which meant we were able to snag one of the two outdoor tables available. It's a small menu, so ordering the Pastrami sandwich was a no-brainer. We also grabbed a small order of the Coleslaw to try. The food was ready to go within minutes. It's a great sandwich. The meat is super tender and perfectly complemented by the fresh bread and tasty mustard. Do I wish the spicing on the meat were a little more prominent? Yes, definitely, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the 'wich. The coleslaw is great, too. I'll surely be returning very soon.

Linny's Luncheonette is the sister restaurant to Linny's next door, however, Linny's Luncheonette…read moreis a completely different concept compared to Linny's. It's a take out deli sandwich shop focusing on quality ingredients with a multitude of sides you can choose from. Other than their sandwiches, you can also purchase deli items like pastrami spice, beef salami, or half sour pickles. I've been waiting for Linny's Luncheonette to open since last year! When I dined at Linny's in Dec 2024, the waiters had hinted that there would be sandwich shop next door. I arrived at Linny's Luncheonette around 11:30am on their opening day (May 9th). The place was busy with customers coming in, however, the service was fast and efficient as chef David Schwartz stood by to make sure everything was running smoothy on the first day. In terms of the decor, think deli retro vibes! The interior is cute with bright orange countertops and a mirror on one side of place to make the space appear bigger. There are a variety of random candies and chips on display you can also purchase. The menu consists of sandwiches - pastrami, potato and pickle and smoked fish, as well as sides (knish, coleslaw, potato salad, karnatzel, cookie). I ordered a pastrami sandwich and a small side of potato salad. My order was made at a reasonable time (less than 5 min) and service was friendly. There isn't any seating inside the restaurant but there are a few chairs outside and 2 small tables. The great thing is that Linny's Luncheonette is located along Ossington so it isn't hard to find a table close by the place. I decided to head to the park to eat my sandwich. Foodwise...the pastrami sandwich was deliciously amazing. I loved the pastrami at Linny's so I knew that Linny's Luncheonette would be the same. The pastrami had the perfect meat to fat ratio...which made it oh so tender and juicy! I am not a huge fan of pastrami to begin with but...I would come back for this sandwich again and again again. Anyways...back to sandwich, the bread held the meat together well where there was a hint of mustard spread as you took each bite. I got sad when I reached my last bite. The potato salad was also great, not too creamy with sizeable chunks of potato. Overall, a great new addition to the Ossington strip! The pastrami sandwich is a must get here!! Can't wait to return for more in the future! (tip - go early as they can sell out)

I make it a point to visit California Sandwiches, all boxes are checked from service that's…read moreamazing, welcoming, the sit down area, always clean and inviting, the people. since being exposed to the food back in the day to current, still same unwavering treatment, food and experience. every time is like the first, I wish I could rate 5 diamonds

Legendary chicken sandwich place in Toronto! Hahah it is larger than your face...please be prepared…read morefor the food coma or you can save another half for next day. Service is fast and efficient. Their location is basically very unexpected... but cannot miss when you see the long lineup

AiFam Sandwich Shop and Food Market is a family-owned Italian sandwich spot on Harbord Street that…read morefeels warm and welcoming as soon as you walk in. It blends a traditional Italian deli style with a modern downtown vibe and is known for fresh panini made with quality meats and ingredients, many imported from Italy. We tried their "Il Padrino" and "Capricciosa" panini, and both stood out with crispy fresh bread and a great balance of mortadella, prosciutto, salami, cheese, veggies, and sauces. The combination of fresh bread, curated deli meats, and flavorful sauces gives each sandwich a really nice touch. Besides sandwiches, they also carry Italian-style groceries like pasta, cheeses, desserts, and drinks, which makes the visit feel like a quick trip to a small Italian market. It's a great stop if you're looking for a simple but high-quality lunch in the Harbord Village area.

Are you hungry? Get…read moreyourself to Ai Fam sandwich shop & Italian grocery! It's on Harbord, just west of Spadina, on the north side. Take away & eat-in options! Blink and you'll miss this one! It's down some steps and features so outdoor seating as well. I was intrigued when I heard that another Italian cafe/sandwich shop opened near the Annex/Harbord Village. They have a variety of panini style sandwiches with a fridge/freezer of imported items such as frozen meals, meats, dried and spreads, sauces, cake slices and gelato! All the sandwiches sound delicious! Hard to choose! I went with the Alla Romana $16 (Prosciutto from Abruzzo Italy, Semi-dried cherry tomatoes, Balsamic glaze, Fior di Latte). The bread was crusty & warm - all quality ingredients!! The prosciutto & other topping were plentiful. Great flavours. Fresh! You can tell it was made with care. I was surprised at how big the sandwich was. It was cut in two & placed in a take away container which travelled well. The sandwich was still intact and perfect when I got home. The bread has a good crust but was soft inside to be a good compliment for the filling! I did get a piece of tiramisu & a small single serve cup of gelato from the fridge/freezer to be tried later!! I am a big fan of sandwiches with quality great & quality filling and this checks off the boxes. Staff was friendly and the sandwich is a good value given the top quality ingredients. If you've been to Italy you will appreciate inspired sandwiches & pantry items! Quite a few tables to sit down and enjoy your sandwich with a cold or hot beverage. They have a TV with the Olympics on too! The sandwich picture doesn't do it justice! Go see for yourself!! :)

will definitely be returning. this spot is amazing! delicious pastries like no other.read more

Sud Forno has always been my go-to spot for a quick espresso and something sweet. Desserts are…read morealways fresh, never stale, and the coffee has that proper boldness that makes you feel like you're waking up for real. The staff here are consistently friendly, never pushy, and just seem to know how to keep things moving while still keeping it welcoming. Honestly, I don't even know what I'd complain about here. Only thing is I really wish they had panettone year-round. That's it. Otherwise, this place checks all the boxes whenever I need a reliable coffee and dessert break.

The owner put me in my place, and, to be fair, I was asking for it…read more There are very few restaurants where you can walk in, order a sandwich, get reminded that you are not the main character, and leave thinking, "I fucking love this place." Illstyl3 Sammies is one of them. Sammy has something that feels almost contrarian in Toronto now: an actual personality. Not the carefully curated, Instagram ready kind, but the kind where you get the sense he genuinely couldn't care less about making you comfortable if it means compromising the way he wants to run his place. And I mean that as the highest compliment. Toronto has become saturated with copycat smash burgers, boba, matcha, and restaurants that seem to have been conceived from the same nauseatingly uniform Pinterest mood board. Illstyl3 feels like it was dropped here from a city where a little abrasion is part of the charm, and simply never received the memo about Toronto politeness. There's an irreverence to it that I adore. A little Soup Nazi. A little "you'll get your sandwich when you're ready to behave." And somehow, instead of being off putting, it makes the whole thing feel authentic. If your feelings get hurt because a sandwich shop owner didn't treat you like a valued shareholder, that's probably something you should unpack. Give me more places with this much chutzpah. More personality. More edge. More people who aren't afraid to be a little out there. More sammies. Food was solid too.

This small joint serves up some tasty subs! We got the option 1 - beef steak w.choice of cheese…read moremalted over top, Provolone or American Cheddar. CHEF SAYS YOU GOTTA DO AMERICAN CHEDDAR! Will note that for next time! Additionally, you can dress it up with some ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles and/or bbq sauce. Thank you Chef and Team for a delicious bite! See you again soon! PS because the space is really small, you may have to wait outside ~5-10 mins as these babies are fired up as you order them! Dress warm and dont take offense to Chef asking you to wait outside! Haha

Second time here, and love it!…read more Came during a quiet time so we were served quickly and had a quiet dinner in the lower area. Burger was super flavourful and meat was cooked to perfection. My favourite part of the meal was the jelly / sauce added to the burger.

This place was really underwhelming and a complete rip off I got the striploin and frites with…read morepepper corn sauce for 29 bucks plus tax complete rip off, the steak was mediocre at best they gave more fries tha steak this place is robbing people. Service was okay, it's like a fast food steak place, I wouldn't come back here over priced and underwhelming.

We enjoyed an excellent meal at Cumbraes today. We suggest a sign telling us to order and pay…read morebefore sitting down. . Patrick was attentive, not intrusive, just spot on. Hope he is there when we return. Carole Mann

If you like to pay for average to poor meat in a fancy store and pay a premium for it - Cumbraes is…read morefor you. I bought a Cowboy steak - yes a cowboy steak - for $88 last night thinking it would be enough for 2 people. For whatever reason (probably poor aging) cooked medium rare it shrank to barely being able to feed us. and if am honest it was flavorless and tough. Very very underwhelming for whiat is meant to be a premium cut. I will never go back. Frankly the premium cuts at any one of the superstores are of higher quality and grade - but if you like saying you got your meat there and impressing the neighbors - this review will mean very little to you.

Best Club Sandwich in the big smoke. The chef slices and dices better than any restaurant I've been…read moreto in the 6. It's a quaint place but I took mine to go to enjoy the summer air. Lovely hidden gem!

Naomi is run by the most adorable couple who really love the restaurant. I only stepped into the…read morerestaurant to glance over the menu and within seconds I was making a purchase because the old happy man was too chummy to refuse. And it pains me to write this review about the bad quality of their entrees. I've been to Naomi twice. The first time I bought the Salmon bibimbap and the second time I bought the Chicken teriyaki. The pictures looked really really good so I opted for them, but both dishes were disgusting. I was really thrown off by how quickly they were able to prepare both dishes. Under 5 minutes?!?! It seemed almost too good to be true. When I opened the container and took the first bite of the meat, I fully understood why. Naomi uses canned meats. For some people, this is okay, but I really could not stand how "plastic" the chicken felt. The meats weren't even seasoned, rather covered in mediocre sauces. The teriyaki sauce wasn't even teriyaki sauce... it was a transluscent orange with a syrupy consistency. The bibimbap was also poorly done. There was no sunny side up egg, and the only veggies consisted of bland bean sprouts, overcooked carrots, and boiled spinach. Although, the "gochujang" sauce was not bad. However, my friends have all claimed that Naomi's sandwiches are extremely tasty, but after my two bad experiences, I'm probably not going to come back. TLDR: don't get any entrees. Stick with the cafe classics.