The Best Peameal Bacon Sandwiches in Toronto

While many are aware that Toronto is known for peameal bacon sandwiches, there is some fascinating history behind this delectably salty delight. Over one hundred years ago, our beloved city became affectionately nicknamed "Hogtown" due to the sheer number of pork processing plants that popped up to serve a booming export business. William Davies immigrated to Toronto from Britain in 1854, opening up a small shop in the historic St. Lawrence Market. His business soon proved to be excellent for export after he sent cured pork loin packed in ground peas back to England, realizing that this method helped extend the shelf life of the product. By the early 1900s, his company had expanded into a food store chain and a sizeable pork exporting business, contributing to the popularity of this cured back bacon (which, by the way, began to get rolled in cornmeal following WWI due to availability, and this is still how we see peameal bacon prepared today). It wasn't until the 1960s that Joe Hoiner, the St. Lawrence Market butcher shop owner, came up with the idea to partner with an adjacent bakery to fry up the ends of his peameal loins and stuff them into a fresh kaiser bun with a drizzle of honey mustard. This is how Carousel Bakery's famous sandwich was born and it still remains the most well-known in the city. Whether you're looking for this simple classic or a creative twist on the peameal sandwich, several spots serving Toronto's signature dish have arrived in various neighbourhoods over the years, so check out our full list below!