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Alfie’s Sandwiches + Market
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Even if you were oblivious to the name Alfie’s, the yeasty perfume of fresh-baked bread and line of sandwich-seekers spilling out the front door would compel you to investigate the Baldwin Street spot. Humming with activity, its display case stocked with crisp veg, imported meats and cheeses, and zippy spreads, it’s a place that has earned its wild popularity one gloriously stacked sandwich at a time.
A pitmaster who first wooed Toronto with the Southern-style scratch cooking of SmoQue N’ Bones, Alex Rad is now well on his way to solidifying his rep as the city’s godfather of Italian sandwiches. Created from the same DNA as its sister restaurant, Alfie’s Sandwiches + Market is a grab-and-go place where ingredients are prepared daily, bread is baked throughout the day, and quality is key.
“The inspiration comes from Italy,” explains Rad. “There wasn’t anything in Toronto like what I saw in Italy. I wanted to do something that was different, that didn’t exist in the city.”
With its roster of sandwiches and (relatively) cheap-and-cheerful pricing, the shop is also a way to stay relevant within the industry he loves, says Rad. “Barbecue is becoming more and more expensive. People love it but they don’t always see the value in it.” At Alfie’s, the offerings give diners the opportunity to explore without blowing their budgets. Though it easily satisfies carnivores, there’s also plenty for vegans and vegetarians to chew on. “We have to cater to everyone,” he adds.
On an ever-evolving menu, there are sandwiches piled high with leafy greens and fire-roasted vegetables, Italian cheeses and Leoncini salumi. “People from Italy, they love this brand,” says Rad. They also, it would seem, love the soft chew of the team’s signature sourdough bread. “The bread is a 72-hour fermentation,” he explains. “People get upset when we run out but we can only produce so much.”
Lovingly dubbed “Alfie,” Rad’s sourdough starter yields oversized buns with enough intrinsic personality to support a slew of toppings. Baked throughout the day, then rewarmed to order, the bread is pliant with crisped borders, steamy and, interestingly, excellent for making pizza (which, hints Rad, may well be added to the menu at a future Alfie’s location).
Vibrant, rich, and precisely balanced, each sandwich is the product of rigorous recipe testing. “Everything you see, every spread, everything is made in-house,” says Rad. “We don’t recommend modifications because it takes away from the recipes that we spent six months finalizing. … When people ask for substitutions, we know for a fact it won’t work.”
Order the Prosciutto Royale, and experience the harmony firsthand. Salty and sharp, with the plushness of imported mozzarella di bufala, it’s a beast of a handheld meal that can barely contain its glut of 24-month prosciutto di Parma, arugula, lemon basil pesto and balsamic reduction.
Layered with smoked chicken breast and house-cured pork belly (there are clear advantages to having SmoQue N’ Bones mere steps away), the Chicken Caesar is a buff take on the feeble Caesar wrap. More meat than filler, the tang of its house-made dressing expertly enlaced with the smokiness of its proteins, it’s a sandwich that speaks to the team’s desire to satisfy any yen.
Named for a masterpiece, the Monalisa takes classically Italian ingredients into new territory. Rad’s favourite offering, it’s a $27 experience whose popularity, initially ignited by novelty, looks to have staying power thanks to its undeniable charms.
Built on an entire ball of burrata, each bite is automatically buttery and sweet. From there, salty pops of prosciutto, creamy pistachios, the herby zing of pesto and umami of truffle cream encourage repeat bites. Applied judiciously, that last ingredient is more flirty than forward. “Some people are hesitant about truffle, it can be overwhelming. We balance it. Layer it so you feel a hint of truffle but it doesn’t hit you,” assures Rad.
Stocked with all manner of imported and local groceries, house-made condiments and non-alcoholic beverages, the market offers plenty to distract as diners anticipate their orders. An area that pays homage to the building’s roots (it was a convenience store for 30 years), it also reflects the team’s ongoing commitment to quality. Plus, there’s plenty of merch to be had, if wearing your stomach on your sleeve is your thing.
Currently riding a tidal wave of popularity, Alfie’s Sandwiches + Market is known for lines populated by the droves of influencers that viral fame tends to lure. That its hulking, Italian-style sandwiches live up to the hype just means you’ll want to hurry up and join the queue.
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