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.

August 11, 2026 - I got the Alfie's Roast Beef Sandwich. The sandwich was huge. I really enjoyed…read morethe infusion of flavours from the sandwich. The were good portions of roast beef and arugula. The sandwich was oozing with sauces and there was a bit of a kick to the sandwich with the added chili oil. The bread was baked really well and crunch but also chewy enough. It was a good balance that made for a solid sandwich.

Order ahead if you can because you're going to be in line for a long time. It's worth the wait,…read moreb/c the food is amazing, but it's not a quick lunch. That being said you can see the employees working their butts off to pump things out quickly. The sandwich was to die for, but I do have a hard time spending $30 on a take out sandwich. It's definitely something that I would save for a treat. Although a small spot, it's very cutely decorated inside, and there's lots of pantry items to peruse while you wait. The location is on beautiful Baldwin Street so there's lots of space to walk around or sit while you wait or while you eat 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)

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

A legendary global sandwich. I have not had a better veal sando anywhere. This is the original and…read morebest spot crankin fresh hot veal and tomato sauce on a keyser (hard roll) sandos in the world. Full stop. You want it to be a veal parm, fine they will slap cheese on it but that's not what the lord intended when this place opened probably in the 60s or 50s or who knows. It's so good they have franchised it all over the GTA and that's how you know it's legend status. Canada does not franchise anything aside from banks and Donuts. Come to the original. Get it Hot, get a Brio soda, and take a walk dripping sauce everywhere. Lordy.

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!! :)

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.

Sud Forno is an Italian bakery restaurant with a large upstairs seating area and an upstairs patio…read more I came here on a weekday afternoon for a treat. I got a small Nutella donut and the jam / pastry cream filled croissant. The pastries and pizzas here are definitely very beautiful and made with care. Unfortunately the ones I chose were very sweet. The textures were perfect though, the donut was fluffy and soft, and the croissant had perfect layers. They also have a good wine selection, fresh pastas, and more Italian prepared foods for sale. I would probably come back to try their pizzas or other savory items.

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.

Delicious Food. Flavorful Hoagies and Great sweet potato fries! If you have any allergies or food…read moreavoidances, speak up. The owner is a nice guy and knows what he is doing.

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.

After hearing about some early growing pains, I purposely waited before visiting. But when Toronto…read moreLife hosted a special TL Insider dinner ($225 per person, inclusive of taxes and gratuities), curiosity won out. The prices listed below reflect the regular menu, though portions at the event were likely smaller than standard service. The evening began with a beef skewer ($31), featuring cubes of barbecued beef glazed in teriyaki and topped with plenty of chives. Unfortunately, consistency was an issue. Other guests raved about how tender theirs were, while mine arrived overcooked. It wasn't inedible, but it certainly wasn't tender. One of the restaurant's newer additions is its aged fish program, so I was eager to try the dry-aged salmon ($33). Listed as a "crudo," I expected delicate slices in a citrusy sauce, but it arrived as another skewer. The texture was undeniably smooth, with the dry aging removing any chewiness, but the salmon also developed a gaminess that lingered unpleasantly. A marinade or thinner slicing might help balance things out. I'm glad their signature Caesar salad ($24) remains excellent. It's beautifully balanced with acidity, savouriness, and thoughtful touches like buttery breadcrumbs and bacon bits that aren't rock hard. It's still one of the better Caesars in the city, though tableside preparation now costs an additional $10. Fans of tartare will likely appreciate the beef tartare ($41), which is prepared traditionally with minimally dressed hand-cut beef. Personally, I wanted more contrast in texture or flavour, though tartare has never been my go-to dish. I did appreciate the accompaniments of buttery crostini and gem lettuce leaves, which offered a lighter way to enjoy it. And for fans like me, don't worry their cheese bread puffs still make an appearance (along with their take home chocolate muffins). What continues to shine at Jacobs is the steak itself. The 40-day dry aged striploin was cooked beautifully, developing a crust that locked in the juices while maintaining tenderness despite being a leaner cut. The seasoning is more restrained, which allowed the volcanic sea salt and chimichurri on the side to actually enhance the beef rather than overwhelm it. The pecorino broccolini ($22) had me almost finishing off the plate and is such a nice accompaniment with the rich beef. The only disappointment was the duck fat fries ($21), which arrived lukewarm and slightly stale, likely a casualty of serving a packed dining room. Dessert ended the evening on a high note. The crème brulee ($21) was fantastic with visible vanilla bean specks throughout the silky custard. The sugar topping was thin and delicate, avoiding that overly sweet crunch some versions suffer from. Served alongside a sizeable chocolate biscotti and a fragrant orange shortbread cookie, it's easily large enough to share. With the expanded dining room, the front-of-house team has clearly grown as well. The staff is younger and fresher-faced, so any old-school steakhouse stuffiness has largely disappeared. More importantly, the service remains polished and attentive, and we were well taken care of throughout the evening.

I made a reservation at Jacobs & Co to celebrate a family member's milestone birthday. The…read moreatmosphere in the restaurant is odd - some people are wearing T shirts and denim jackets while others are wearing suits and heels. It definitely leaned more casual. We ordered the tuna tartare, beet salad, Chef's Tasting (steak), 30 days aged 32 oz bone in ribeye, potatoes gratin, broccolini and wagyu fried rice. The best thing we ate that night was the complimentary bread - very similar to Yorkshire pudding. The wagyu fried rice was flavourful. The appetizers were mid and the Chef's Tasting steaks were ok albeit served lukewarm. The 30 days aged 32 oz bone in ribeye was extremely disappointing. It was very chewy and difficult to eat. Lots of fat and tough veins in the steak - it was not quality and definitely not worth $302. We didn't even eat half of it. Our server asked us if we wanted to pack it and we said no because it was disappointing and difficult to eat. He likely did not have training on how to respond as he completely ignored the comment, no apologies or further questions and cleared the rest of our table. It was really odd service for a highly rated steakhouse. I personally would not recommend Jacobs & Co and would not dine again here.