10For the Platonic ideal of the submarine sandwich, head to Lakeshore Super Submarine, a South Etobicoke time warp (you’ll see when you get there) where owner George Kozaris has been manning the counter for more than four decades. For his assorted sub, a cloud-light bun comes stacked with cold cuts, cheese, tomato, white onion and shredded iceberg lettuce. Skip the mayo to let the tangy house vinaigrette shine. On the side: a helping of one-liners, courtesy of Kozaris. Cash only. $7. 2939 Lake Shore Blvd. W., @lakeshoresupersub

9The cheesesteak usually gets top billing, but Philadelphia is also one of the hoagie capitals of the world. You can find both at Illstyl3 Sammies, Pennsylvania native Germain Marshall’s Entertainment District takeout counter, and the cold-cut-laden Yous’ Guyz is a textbook example of the latter. Marshall stacks mortadella, Genoa salami, prosciutto and provolone, and offsets all the fatty goodness with a motherlode of pickles and herbs. If you like it hot, ask for a dab of Marshall’s house-made hot sauce. $14. 300 Richmond St. W., illstyl3sammies.com

8Chef Jesse Mutch runs his pandemic-project sub shop, Flora’s Deli, out of Dundas West bottle shop Grape Crush. The sandwiches, inspired by his grandmother, include the Norma Gina, which stacks crispy-crunchy fried eggplant on a bun so dense and speckled with sesame seeds that it might share some DNA with a bagel. It’s topped with peppery arugula, a thick layer of whipped ricotta and house hot honey with just the right amount of heat. $13. 1166 Dundas St. W., @florasdelito

7To appreciate the heft of the fully loaded meat torpedoes at Topol Sandwich, it’s helpful to know that the Persian-influenced sub shop’s name means “fat” or “chubby” in Farsi. Excess and overload are the twin goals here, and the Topol Cold Mix sandwich is a wild success. Thinly sliced halal beef and chicken form the nucleus of the package. Around them go layers of lettuce and tomato, tangy pickles, a bright house-made sauce and a fistful of Hickory Sticks for crunch. $14. 8 Kingsdale Ave., North York; 10133 Yonge St., Richmond Hill; topolsandwich.com

6There are all kinds of classic Italian-style sandwiches at Elm Street Deli, run by Lawrence La Pianta—who also happens to be the owner and pitmaster of Cherry Street Bar-B-Que. But the Tony Tacchino turkey sub is the unsung hero. A sturdy bun is stuffed with slow-smoked turkey breast, slices of sweet provolone, shredded lettuce, red onion, tomato and a few finishing touches that remind you this is an Italian deli: roasted red peppers, basil aïoli, sub sauce and a tangy muffuletta spread. $16. 15 Elm St., elmstdeli.com

5It should come as no surprise that Parkdale’s premier butcher shop, Chantecler Boucherie, makes some mean hoagies. For our favourite, layers and layers of mortadella—bologna’s cooler cousin—are folded into a squishy sesame bun with slices of provolone, house-pickled fennel to cut through all that unctuousness, a squirt of honey-Dijon mayo and some tomato and shredded lettuce because, sure, veggies. $14. 1318 Queen St. W., chanteclerto.com

4This family-run lunch counter tucked away in a tiny Summerhill plaza deals in supersized sandwiches on crusty rolls that hold their own against an onslaught of toppings and sauces. The spicy ham sub is loaded with cold cuts, tomato, cheese, diced red onion, plenty of pickled jalapeños and a creamy house hot sauce. But the best part is the fried onions, salty lil’ nubbins that add crunch to every bite. $14. 1084 Yonge St., @grandmalovesyoutoronto

3Talk about a one-two punch: Davenport’s Good Behaviour sandwich shop shares space with its sibling ice cream parlour. When it comes to their subs, we’re partial to this spicy raft of meatballs. They’re made with nine (nine!) cuts of beef, veal and pork, nestled into a sesame-studded roll with pesto-spiked mayo and a splash of chili oil, all tied together with melted provolone and kissed with marinara. $16. 342 Westmoreland Ave. N., goodbehaviourto.ca

2FBI Pizza is best known for its, well, you know. But it also makes a mean hoagie. Our favourite is essentially a grown-up chicken finger sub. Strips of white meat are coated in Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs and fried (think more chicken parm than the Colonel), then tucked into a toasty sesame-seed roll with tomato, jalapeño pepper and shredded lettuce. It’s all slathered in a trio of house sauces: red wine vinaigrette, sundried tomato mayo and garlic-parm sauce. $15.75. 2336 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1248 St. Clair Ave. W., fbipizza.com

1Lambo’s, a year-plus-old hoagie shop at the edge of Trinity Bellwoods, keeps its lineup of cold-cut combos admirably old school while adding some tasty frills. For its standout Italian Trio, capocollo, prosciutto and mortadella are layered on a pillowy seeded bun, with generous hunks of fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, pickled onions and just enough arugula. What puts it over the top are the herby house-made pesto and spicy Calabrian chili spread generously applied to each half of the packed roll. $14. 176 Bellwoods Ave., lambosdeli.ca

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD & DRINK

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.

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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.

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This Persian sandwich spot with locations in North York and Richmond Hill is known for its massive subs.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Posted: June 9, 2022Photo: Elm Street Deli

Whether you call them construction worker specials or hoagies or heroes these lunchtime favourites are having a moment. Toronto restaurants are redefining the art of the sub and raising the classic yet delicious sandwich to grab-and-go excellence.

The Sammy Davis Jr. and Sergio Leone take on new meanings as house-made pastrami and braised brisket sandwiches respectively at Elm Street Italian Deli, a local sub shop inspired by owner Lawrence LaPianta’s father’s love of spaghetti westerns and early Italian-American mafia films. The sub sandwich menu is a selection of high-quality meat with distinct, bold flavours. Swing by for a sandwich piled high with smoked turkey, roast beef, pastrami, Tuscan ham, smoked sausage, pork shoulder or braised brisket on pillowy fresh buns.
15 Elm St.

At this halal sub spot, patrons can grab a classic sandwich, like chicken, beef or mortadella, or try something new by making a selection from the hot sandwich menu. Try the Zapata, a sub with Angus beef steak, topped with freshly sliced mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, tomato, pickle, parsley, hickory sticks and house-made Topol sauce. Or opt for the Bandari, a Persian sausage sub complete with all the fresh veggie fixings. Topol also offers signature Bomb sandwiches, stuffed submarines that can serve a hungry group of friends.
8 Kingsdale Ave.

Chef Michael Lam and Eric Chow launched Good Behaviour during the pandemic as a way to celebrate the pair’s love of ice cream. But the submarine sandwiches are not to be missed, either. Both hot and cold options are served on a sesame seed bun, and toppings include mouth-watering combos like a sub crafted with jerk braised pork shoulder, jerk mayo, red cabbage, pineapple relish, lime juice and cilantro, and another version made with smoked turkey and gouda, mustard, salsa verde, pickled artichoke and iceberg lettuce.
874 Yonge St.

German influences take the huge selection of hot and cold submarine sandwiches to the next level at Grandma Loves You, where European cold cuts take centre stage. The secret to this deli’s success could very well be its homemade sauces. Different variations are delicately ladled over sandwiches such as the Grandma’s special pizza sandwich and the Chef’s Choice sandwich, which is made with chicken strips, avocado, tomato, hot pepper, fresh onion, olives, crispy onion, pesto sauce and, of course, Grandma’s homemade hot sauce.
1084 Yonge St.

Article exclusive to STREETS OF TORONTO

by Nisean Lorde for Streets Of Toronto Posted: June 9, 2022

Wait times and flight cancellations persist at Toronto Pearson International due to COVID-19 restrictions and labour shortages, and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is asking that the government take further steps to reduce airport delays.

In a media release, the GTAA warned that, in a few days, international passenger numbers are set to increase by 50%.

“In anticipation of a new wave of business and family travellers we urge the government to act immediately to temporarily pause random testing on arrival in airports for an immediate improvement until upgrades to the Government’s ArriveCan app have been made,” GTAA noted in the release.

In May, 2,700 arriving flights were affected by metering or holding, affecting the travel plans of over 490,000 international arriving passengers. Travellers are also being delayed because of the time it takes to select passengers for random testing.

According to Deborah Flint, President and CEO of the GTAA, this is about much more than Toronto Pearson—”it’s about global perceptions of our country and the risk that Canada will lose billions of dollars from tourism and business activities if travellers decide that coming to Canada this summer simply isn’t worth the hassle.”

Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra promises that the government will take action by creating a taskforce to address bottlenecks in airports and ensuring that peak periods are covered by 850 new CATSA agents.

“More help is on its way!” Alghabra tweeted on Wednesday, adding that CATSA has hired over 850 new agents across Canada.

“This will help get you through security faster and on your way to your destination. We will keep working to reduce wait times at airports.”

Meanwhile, travellers across social media continue to share their Pearson horror stories.

And by the way, no other airport in the world is having to deal with what Pearson is going through. All USA airports are completely back to normal and no delays, except for the planes flying to Toronto.
— Solomon Crowe (@SolomonCrowe3) June 9, 2022