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Written By
Posted Sep 18, 2021
There's just something about a deli sub. Maybe it's the sense of familiarity, bringing back memories of elementary school lunches that mom made. It could be how easy they are to make because we're all fed up with home cooking. Or it could be the addicting nature of deli meats in general because there are few things better than mortadella, salami and prosciutto. The deli sub scene has exploded in Toronto over the past few years, and listed below are players new and old to the sandwich game where you can pick up the best deli subs in the city.
La Salumeria
A veteran in the sandwich game. A staple in the Toronto deli scene. They don't advertise it, there are no signs telling you, but La Salumeria has been serving some of the best handmade deli sandwiches since 1984. Pick your bread from the front, bring it to the deli counter and pick anything you want or let them work their magic.
La Salumeria
A veteran in the sandwich game. A staple in the Toronto deli scene. They don't advertise it, there are no signs telling you, but La Salumeria has been serving some of the best handmade deli sandwiches since 1984. Pick your bread from the front, bring it to the deli counter and pick anything you want or let them work their magic.
Dundas West
832 Dundas St W
The Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria
Pizza
This pizzeria on Dundas West does a hefty sub; the Real American Hero is served on freshly baked hoagies and comes stacked with provolone, cooked prosciutto, hot and sweet Venetian salami, pepperoni, shredded lettuce, pickled red onion and American hero balsamic vinaigrette.
The Fourth Man in the Fire Pizzeria
Dundas West
832 Dundas St W
This pizzeria on Dundas West does a hefty sub; the Real American Hero is served on freshly baked hoagies and comes stacked with provolone, cooked prosciutto, hot and sweet Venetian salami, pepperoni, shredded lettuce, pickled red onion and American hero balsamic vinaigrette.
Pizza
Topol Sandwich
This Persian sandwich spot with locations in North York and Richmond Hill is known for its massive subs.
Topol Sandwich
This Persian sandwich spot with locations in North York and Richmond Hill is known for its massive subs.
Chinatown
59 Cameron St
Maker Pizza - Chinatown
Pizza
You might be heading here for the pizza but don't miss out on The Bodega sandwich with mortadella, ham, smoked turkey, Genoa salami, mozzarella, provolone, pepperoncini, sub sauce, roasted red peppers, pickled jalapeño and iceberg lettuce.
Maker Pizza - Chinatown
Chinatown
59 Cameron St
You might be heading here for the pizza but don't miss out on The Bodega sandwich with mortadella, ham, smoked turkey, Genoa salami, mozzarella, provolone, pepperoncini, sub sauce, roasted red peppers, pickled jalapeño and iceberg lettuce.
Pizza
King West
389 King St W
Belly Buster Submarines - King West
Sandwiches
As no-nonsense as a sub shop can get. The location on King is legendary, and the decor hasn't changed since they've opened. The lettuce is shredded paper thin, bread baked fresh and the meat is stacked sky high.
Belly Buster Submarines - King West
King West
389 King St W
As no-nonsense as a sub shop can get. The location on King is legendary, and the decor hasn't changed since they've opened. The lettuce is shredded paper thin, bread baked fresh and the meat is stacked sky high.
Sandwiches
Corso Italia
1311 St Clair Ave W
Tre Mari Bakery
A St. Clair staple. The hot table is legendary, but you can never go wrong with any of the panino offerings. You can watch as one of the nonna's behind the counter prepares your deli sandwich for you. It's prepared with love, fat chunks of cheese and fresh deli meats from the slicer. What more do you want.
Tre Mari Bakery
Corso Italia
1311 St Clair Ave W
A St. Clair staple. The hot table is legendary, but you can never go wrong with any of the panino offerings. You can watch as one of the nonna's behind the counter prepares your deli sandwich for you. It's prepared with love, fat chunks of cheese and fresh deli meats from the slicer. What more do you want.
Harbord Village
161 Harbord St
Emmer
The key at Emmer is the ingredients. Their slab sandwiches are served on house semolina and olive oil slab bread, the mozzarella is hand-stretched, the mortadella is glistening, and the pistachio pistou is fancy. Probably the most high-end sandwich on this list, but it deserves to be here nonetheless.
Emmer
Harbord Village
161 Harbord St
The key at Emmer is the ingredients. Their slab sandwiches are served on house semolina and olive oil slab bread, the mozzarella is hand-stretched, the mortadella is glistening, and the pistachio pistou is fancy. Probably the most high-end sandwich on this list, but it deserves to be here nonetheless.
Oak Park Deli
For those folks in the east end, I have a gem for you. Oak Park Deli delivers on cheap offerings that pack huge flavour. Their sandwiches are loaded and their famous four-cheese bread is homemade.
Oak Park Deli
For those folks in the east end, I have a gem for you. Oak Park Deli delivers on cheap offerings that pack huge flavour. Their sandwiches are loaded and their famous four-cheese bread is homemade.
Dundas West
176 Bellwoods Ave
Lambo's Deli & Grocery
As straight-up as a sandwich shop can get. Brought to life because the owners thought it was silly that Toronto didn't have an amazing bodega level sandwich, Lambo's Deli was born. The meats are sliced thinly and the toppings are made in-house.
Lambo's Deli & Grocery
Dundas West
176 Bellwoods Ave
As straight-up as a sandwich shop can get. Brought to life because the owners thought it was silly that Toronto didn't have an amazing bodega level sandwich, Lambo's Deli was born. The meats are sliced thinly and the toppings are made in-house.
Etobicoke
374 Royal York Rd
SanRemo Bakery
Bakery
You really can't go wrong at SanRemo. A Toronto gem open since 1969, they bake their bread, slice the deli meats right in front of you, and will yell at you just like you're a member of their large Italian family. The muffuletta needs two hands and an unhinged jaw, but it's worth it.
SanRemo Bakery
Etobicoke
374 Royal York Rd
You really can't go wrong at SanRemo. A Toronto gem open since 1969, they bake their bread, slice the deli meats right in front of you, and will yell at you just like you're a member of their large Italian family. The muffuletta needs two hands and an unhinged jaw, but it's worth it.
Bakery
Good Behaviour Submarine
Now to a new player in the sandwich game. Good Behaviour Submarine recently opened up its doors located right off of Geary Ave. Created out of the fond memories that the owners had eating subs as young cooks, the menu offerings are as classic as classic gets.
Good Behaviour Submarine
Now to a new player in the sandwich game. Good Behaviour Submarine recently opened up its doors located right off of Geary Ave. Created out of the fond memories that the owners had eating subs as young cooks, the menu offerings are as classic as classic gets.
Downtown
15 Elm St
Elm Street Italian Deli
Italian
You'll never go wrong getting a deli sub from a restaurant with Italian Deli in its name. The menu options sound like they're cast members of The Sopranos, only adding to the allure. The offerings are a little pricey, but your first bite from a Don of Elm St sub will set you right.
Elm Street Italian Deli
Downtown
15 Elm St
You'll never go wrong getting a deli sub from a restaurant with Italian Deli in its name. The menu options sound like they're cast members of The Sopranos, only adding to the allure. The offerings are a little pricey, but your first bite from a Don of Elm St sub will set you right.
Italian
Deer Park
40 St Clair Ave W
Grandma Loves You
European
I don't know if there is a more appropriately named restaurant in all of Toronto. The monster subs prepared at Grandma Loves You can only be made by a grandma that will not accept that you're full. The Spicy Ham and Cheese is a winner.
Grandma Loves You
Deer Park
40 St Clair Ave W
I don't know if there is a more appropriately named restaurant in all of Toronto. The monster subs prepared at Grandma Loves You can only be made by a grandma that will not accept that you're full. The Spicy Ham and Cheese is a winner.
European
