Sandwich Box
67 Richmond Street West
416-913-4444
238 Queen Street West
416-204-9411
Lunch for two with all taxes, tip and juice: $20

Sometimes, a sandwich is a quick bite on the run, eaten rapidly and forgotten moments later. At Sandwich Box, it is a thing of beauty and worth savouring. In the past, in order to eat a sandwich this good, I would have had to stop at a market for the kinds of gourmet, high-end ingredients available at Sandwich Box - artisanal breads, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, pinkish rare roast beef that is almost a carpaccio, chicken grilled on the premises and some real choices in the cheese department.

For their grilled, made to order sandwiches, it all starts with the choice of 12 types of bread from Ace Bakery, seven types of spreads, vegetables, meats and cheeses (choose 3 toppings for $6.48, additional toppings $1.00). Although both locations are quite busy whenever I stop by, especially at lunch, I’m always pleased with how quickly everyone gets served. The staff of sandwich makers efficiently construct the sandwiches with care and attention to detail - each sandwich is drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkled with lemon juice, a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper before being placed in the pannini press. Once grilled, the sandwich is carefully tucked in a lightweight cardboard box with a side of mesclun greens, dressed in tangy balsamic vinaigrette. They also have a large selection of pre-made sandwiches (prices range from $3.50 to $6.25).

I usually order grilled chicken breast with roasted sweet peppers and goat cheese on slices of country boule, but I was in the mood for something different the other day. Without missing a beat during a busy lunch, the friendly staff steered me toward my new favourite sandwich. I had told them I wanted to try the roast beef and could they make suggestions of which spread, vegetable and cheese would be best. Chatting with me the whole time, my sandwich maker slathered my country wheat baguette with roasted garlic and cumin aioli, before adding rare roast beef, caramelized onions and gruyere.

Both locations also offer two soups of the day (their soup information is updated daily on their homepage) - I chose Yukon Gold Potato and Celeriac with Saffron, a comforting, earthy, mildly spicy homage to late summer ($2.95 for 8 ounces, $3.95 for 16 ounces). For those watching their carbs, there are 10 ready-made salad meals - everything from classic Caesar ($5.50, add grilled chicken for $2) to their version of salad nicoise with seared ahi tuna and quail egg ($8.50), as well as a salad bar ($1.75 per 100 grams). To round things out, there is a large assortment of pop, juice and mineral water, and for dessert, crème brulée, tiramisu, and chocolate or mango mousse ($3.25).

The Richmond Street location, which is the larger and newer of the two, has a generous amount of seating both in the back of the restaurant as well as a number of modern white tables and lime green and white chairs spilling out onto the street. At the original Queen West location, they are tucked into a stall in the food court opposite the Chum City building. There is no seating, unless you count the chest height “tables” of the food court itself, so it’s take out only.

My husband and I love the Sandwich Box so much that it has become our Friday night ritual. Whether we go for just sandwiches, or splash out and get soup and dessert as well, it’s a far superior experience to standing in an indifferent sub shop staring at sad, jet-transported produce.