California Sandwiches

Original and still the best. Whole staff from the front of our to the kitchen are just neighbor gems.

Love this spot

Always a great place to grab a quick tasty big Italian veal sandwich when in the area. Been coming here since the early 70s 😋

Huge portions compared to other chains. Its a challenge to finish a whole sandwich solo. Simply delicious. When I was working downtown we would offer 30 at a time.

took my wife for the first time and she loved it. i had not been in sometime so i had to get the large steak and onions YUM YUM. too bad it is ao far from uxbridge

Thank you for reminding me what a family based restaurant is. Great friendly place. The sandwiches r exactly like they used to be when they first opened. Huge tasty and extremely messy. 😅

Always a great place to grab a quick tasty big Italian veal sandwich when in the area.

If you’re a fan of old-school Italian comfort food, California Sandwiches is a must-visit — and the original spot at Claremont Street near Manning is where it all began. This Toronto institution started in 1967, when the Papa/Bertucci family began serving up veal cutlet sandwiches out of their grocery store. Fast-forward a few decades, and their signature sandwiches have earned cult status — with good reason.

I dropped into the original location (yes, the one), and immediately understood why they’ve expanded across Ontario. From the outside, it’s nothing fancy. But inside, it’s all about the food — specifically, the veal sandwich, which was outstanding.

The sandwich is massive — freshly breaded veal cutlet, fried to a crisp and tucked into a soft-yet-sturdy bun, smothered in tangy tomato sauce. You can choose your heat level (I went with medium), and trust me, it hits just right. I also added a side of their house-marinated olives, which added the perfect briny counterpoint.

Here’s a tip if you’re not rocking a giant appetite: ask for the sauce on the side. This is a game-changer. It keeps the sandwich from getting soggy — especially if, like me, you only eat half at lunch and save the rest for later. Dipping as you go lets you enjoy every bite at its freshest, and the leftover half is still crisp when you come back to it.

Of course, if you’re going for the full, drippy, saucy experience as intended — no shame in that either. The original version is designed to be messy, hearty, and unforgettable.

Prices are a bit on the higher side (especially if you start adding toppings), but the portions are generous enough to justify it — most people could split a full sandwich into two meals. Just note: the original location is cash only, so come prepared.

Bottom line: California Sandwiches is a Toronto classic for a reason. Whether you go traditional or tweak it with a few smart tricks (like sauce on the side), the veal sandwich is a knockout — crunchy, savory, and deeply satisfying.

There are only a few places in Toronto that consistently deliver, and this is one of them. The best dang veal sandwich period.

Just came by for a veal sandwich after so long and let me tell ya, the sandwiches got bigger lol. Taste of the veal sandwich is amazing. I recommend getting the sauce on the side so you can dip your sandwich. I’d definitely come back again. This specific location in my opinion is one of the better ones.

The sandwich just wasn’t that great. It works for a fast food sandwich and is reasonably priced. The sandwich size is pretty big. I got the chicken sandwich and I just found that the sandwich itself was a little soggy and lacked flavour. It had very plain tomato sauce and the chicken itself wasn’t seasoned at all. Definitely wasn’t a bad eat but I didn’t find myself enjoying eating it

Great traditional veal sandwiches! Fabulous amount of extras/toppings you can add. They cater to your need: veal, chicken, steak, eggplant, steak and sausage!

Smashing IT!

The #1 spot for a PROPER chicken cutlet sandwich!

Love this sandwich to the moon and back.

The chicken is always tender, and all the extra additions, such as the sweet peppers, are cooked to perfection.

Great tomato sauce as well. With the right amount of seasoning.

So many places refuse to cook with salt, why I have no idea. You need to cook and add salt to bring out the true flavors of the dish, and California sandwiches get that!

Amazing customer service as well! 🥳

Veal used to be thick and delicious! Chicken was 3x as thick as now! What happened? All you get now is breading, bun and sauce! AWFUL! Very thin veal, chicken and steak! Can’t even taste the meat. There isn’t much there to taste! Been eating these sandwiches since 1969! Change happened in 2005! And the veal, chicken and steak has gotten thinner and thinner over the years! And the price has gotten higher and higher! I used to have one every week! Now every 3 to 4 months! But after today, I’m done! After 54 years, you will not see me again! AWFUL SANDWICH! All breading bread and sauce! Where’s the meat!

Coming here for 30+ years. Great Sandwiches. Good value for money. The family that
runs it, are interesting and a little eccentric

Not just good, but consistently great for the 40 years that my friends and I have been eating there.
Their pride shows in every sandwich they prepare.

California is the best to go for homemade italian sanwhiches in Toronto !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I hope all the vegans out there don't hate me, but I love the veal sandwiches at California Sandwiches.

OMG - there is nothing as good as their veal sandwiches. Well... almost nothing.

These things are colossal. The sandwich consists of a huge piece of veal. If they can't find you a big piece, they combine two regular pieces for you. You definitely need two hands and a lot of napkins to finish one of these.

I like the original Claremont location, because it definitely has its own unique charm. However, the location at Dufferin and Eglinton makes the most tender veal sandwiches. It's like you're eating cake.

Over the years, it seems like the price keeps inching upwards. I think a sweet veal with cheese can cost you around $8 or $9 after taxes.

Who cares!

There are no equivalents. The Claremont location serves the juiciest, tastiest, biggest and freshest sandwiches in the city. I've tried to find something that can come even a little bit close. Fuggetaboudit. And the girls that prepare and serve... give the highest level of service and respect. If they don't know you initially, they will after your first visit. They treat you like family. Have the veal with cheese and mushrooms... their sauce is so good. Peppers too ....hot medium or mild. So good my mouth is salivating while I write this.