Weekly Lunch Pick: a prime rib sandwich at Tavolino that won’t bust your gut

Too often, prime rib is the kind of sandwich that seemed like a good idea at the time but makes it nigh-impossible to stay awake for the rest of the workday. At Tavolino, not so much. The King West sandwich shop, which opened late last year, has already amassed a pretty devoted following among the various creative types who work on this sandwich-heavy strip (it’s right near Reggie’s, Cool Hand Luc, a Big Smoke Burger, The One That Got Away, a Subway location and more). Their take on the classic gut-buster ($9) layers slices of fatty meat with sweet sautéed onions, a little melted mozzarella, just-spicy jalapeño pesto and enough jus to keep things tasty without drenching the soft white bun. The trick, however, is in the portion: big enough to fill you up without a side, but not so big as to leave you comatose by the time you get back to the office. That’s our kind of prime rib.

The cost: $13, with tax and a bottle of Orangina ($2.50) to cut through the fat

The time: 15 minutes (five minutes from ordering to having the sandwich delivered to the table, and ten more minutes to devour it)

Tavolino, 567 King St. W., 647-349-0495, @tavolinoTO