Where to Get Good Stuff Cheap 2012: a pimped-out sandwich, the ultimate bargain gourmet meal
Waldorf chicken salad
Bannock
401 Bay St., 416-861-6996
The excellent sandwiches at Oliver and Bonacini’s new downtown Canadiana spot Bannock epitomize the high standards and unfussy elegance of big brother Canoe, at grab-and-go prices. A savoury Waldorf salad—the classiest vehicle for mayonnaise and chopped chicken—arrives on a perfectly buttery, flaky croissant.
Porchetta
Porchetta & Co.
825 Dundas St. W., 647-352-6611
Instead of continuing his slog up the ranks of Toronto’s best kitchens, Nick auf der Mauer opted to open this Dundas West hole in the wall, where he serves a slow-roasted pork shoulder wrapped in prosciutto and cured pork belly with bits of crackling. Optional toppings—like a rich truffle sauce or sautéed mushrooms—fill out the soft sourdough bun.
Fried chicken thigh
The County General
936 Queen St. W.,416-531-4447
The buttermilk-soaked chicken thigh in The County General’s most popular sandwich is cooked sous-vide, dusted in cornflour and fried to achieve the perfect balance of crispy and moist. It comes on a down-home milk bun with creamy avocado, red onion, fresh coriander and a lowball glass full of spicy fries with homemade smoked ketchup.
By Andrew D’Cruz, Matthew Hague, Rachel Heinrichs, Emily Landau, David Lawrason, Jason McBride, Mark Pupo, Peter Saltsman and Courtney Shea. (Images: Ryan Szulc)
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The porchetta sandwich at Porchetta & co is horrible. Ordered two sandwiches that had barely enough meet in them. The crackling tasted off. Would never buy it again. I’ve had good porchetta and this is not it.
Has anyone had the Spicy Bird at Delica Kitchen? It’s f-ing killer. How did that not make this list?
The porchetta sandwich at Porchetta & Co. is nothing to rave about. Why do the people of Toronto [Life] think this place is so amazing? Meat and Bread in Vancouver is 1000 times better than this place. I agree 100% with Cs. Very little meat, crackling (if you get any) is subpar. Bread is really dry. Oh, and by the way, the price says $6 but the picture shows rapini and mushrooms. That’s gonna run you closer to ten bucks.
“The porchetta sandwich at Porchetta & co is horrible. Ordered two sandwiches that had barely enough meet in them.”
If you’re looking for MEET in your sandwich, it’s no wonder you are consistently disappointed!
Seriously though – Porchetta & Co. is a total ripoff of the amazingly similar Porchetta in NYC (photos here: http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2008/09/porchetta-pork-sandwich-shop-sara-jenkins-east-village-nyc.html).
It’s like they teleported the entire restaurant to Dundas. Except for the food….
I concur!! I’ve had the porchetta sandwhich at Porchetta & Co. as well and was highly disappointed; I ordered the truffle sauce and parmesean on mine and there was barely any of either, the bun was bland and soggy and the meat was nothing special. I will never spend my money here again and would never suggest anyone else do so.
The best porchetta sandwich in the city is actually outside the city — at Vicentina’s, 109 Edilcan Drive in Woodbridge. At $6.00 it’s cheaper than the one above and made by people who /know/ porchetta. Their steak and veal sandwiches are also top notch. Don’t go at lunchtime or you’ll have to park 2 blocks away.
I had the porchetta sandwich at Porchetta & Co. and completely disagree with earlier posts that it isn’t good. It was actually one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. The line up outside the door at 3:00 on a Thursday afternoon would seem to indicate that a lot of other people like it as well.