California Sandwiches

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