Must-Try Sandwich Spots In Durham Region

Whenever we mention this hidden gem in casual conversation the response seems to be “Where? I’ve never heard of that place.” Well, the secret is out, and we’re the ones telling it. Chicago Deli Express makes classic, authentic Italian sandwiches, of the “hoagie” variety. No seriously, this one is 20” long.

Offering an amazing menu full of offerings like the Chicago White Sox (a porchetta sandwich with fried onions, sweet peppers and mozzarella cheese), and the Chicago 360 (a “World Famous” Italian Meatball sandwich), we’re having a hard time choosing a favourite.

But, we recommend you get started with the Chicago Deli take on a classic, the Chicagoland, served on a fresh Italian bun, with mozzarella, genoa salami, black forest ham, mortadella, and soppressata, topped with all the classic sub toppings and homemade sub sauce, plus what seems to be a secret ingredient that makes it all sing: fresh dill.

Stop in at the Chicago Deli Express for a sub to-go on your way home from a scenic hike at Heber Down conservation area.

The White Apron

10 Bond Street West, Oshawa

Bahn Mi sandwiches at the White Apron include options of five-spice pulled pork, pork belly, or lemongrass chicken, each served with pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber and cilantro on a fresh and chewyroll.

The reviews are great—but you don’t have to trust us alone! The White Apron is the #1 rated restaurant in Oshawa on Trip Advisor. People cheer for the no-fuss cozy vibe, the fresh ingredients, cleanliness, and friendly family-run feeling– but you’ll also see mention of the Bahn Mi time and time again as offering delicious, mind-blowing flavour.

Stop in at the White Apron in Downtown Oshawa on your way to one of Oshawa’s museums and galleries: Parkwood Estate, Oshawa Museum, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Canadian Tank Museum, or Canadian Automotive Museum.

Lloyd’s Lunchbox

Billed as a place for sandwich lovers this dine-in or take-out spot has quickly gained favour in our sandwich-loving hearts.

Lloyd’s Lunchbox offers classic, approachable favourites like Italian Trio, Deli, and Tuna on fresh house-made rolls. Hot offerings include The Greedy Pig, which comes stacked with house-made porchetta, and the trendy Chicago Beef, available dipped. Yes, the entire sandwich can be dipped in the jus for a warm, satisfying, mind-blowingly good experience that will have you saying, “yes chef”. This is best enjoyed dine-in and be sure to get a few extra napkins.

Lloyd’s takes pride in their house-preparation of their ingredients, including their garlic and herb crusted roast beef that takes their Chicago beef to another level.

Located in a lovingly vintage decorated storefront downtown Whitby, Lloyd’s should be your next stop for a sandwich while heading out for a game of pinball at 8 Bit Beans, or shopping at Vintage 905, both located within steps.

Talk of the Town

It’s all in the name. When Talk of the Town was in a food truck, the buzz was real. Demand was so high for their sandwiches they moved into a storefront in downtown Bowmanville.

Now the talk of Durham Region, Talk of the Town’s Chicken Sandos are stacked high with fried chicken, slaw, dill pickles, jalapenos, garlic, and talk sauce. They’re even available spicy, if you wish. Want to get wild? Order it “Big Al” style, and stack on some mac n’ cheese.

Once you’ve got the Big Al in hand, head over to Volt Raceway for go-cart driving, pool, or axe-throwing!

Goldie’s Café

This author loves a breakfast sandwich, any time of day. Goldie’s Café wins with a bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant bun, with lettuce and tomato. This crispy, flaky perfection can be piled high with extras if you wish, but we recommend this delight with a soup flight.

Yes, we said soup flight.

“Home of the flights”, Goldie’s Café is the right place to go when you can’t make up your mind. Offering flights of soup, lattes, or mimosas, Goldies is a cozy, cute café worthy of all the buzz it gets online.

After your brunch, head to Ignite Your Soul Wellness Spa for your choice of relaxation massages, facials, lashes, or book a two-hour bliss spa experience for a complete escape.

The Piano Cafe

217 Queen Street, Port Perry

Known for offerings like their mac n cheese with lobster and crab, The Piano Cafe is the kind of place that feels like eating at home—if home is a small-town Ontario historic building, inspired by a Hallmark movie, and your mom is a gourmet chef from Stars Hollow. Get the Bacon, Pear, and Baked Brie sandwich served with honey mustard poppy seed sauce and add on the soup or salad. We’d pick the onion soup, just FYI.

If you’ve got a tiny bit of room left after that delicious meal, the signature dessert is “The Grammy Stone”, a layered dessert made of oats, brown sugar and butter, with a bit of crunch and drizzled with butterscotch and vanilla bean ice cream. Maybe we need to write a dessert blog? We’ll get on it…

After your lunch, take a stroll down Queen Street towards the lake, visiting whatever shops strike your fancy along the way, but be sure to stop into Scugog Arts and META4 gallery for artist originals, from paintings and sculpture to fine jewellery.

Norm’s Delicatessen

29 King St East, Bowmanville

The community is in-the-know about this gem. Offering fresh perogies until closing every day, Norm’s Delicatessen is one of those places that locals mention in every Facebook group.

Norm’s sandwiches are available on a soft light rye bread or squishy kaiser bun. Their generous deli sandwiches hit the spot, regardless of if you feel like a Montreal Smoked Meat, or a Chicken or Pork Schnitzel.

Our choice? The Hot Roast Beef on a Kaiser, with a bowl of soup on the side. Pack a cooler bag to take home some perogies, cabbage rolls, or shish kabobs for later.

When you finish up at Norm’s, drop by the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington for the latest exhibition of contemporary art, or plan ahead and take a ceramics or printmaking workshop to make a day of it.

The Big M Drive In

711 Krosno Blvd, Pickering

You might know the Big M as a classic drive-in burger joint, and you wouldn’t be wrong—but locals know the Switch on a Bun is where it’s at.

This original recipe was added to the menu back when Switch Skate & Snow was across the street—and all the skater kids would eat at the Big M. The shop has since moved to Ajax, but the Big M and the namesake sandwich remains in Bay Ridges.

What’s on it? Tender strips of breaded chicken, lettuce, pickles, sauce, and any of your favourite toppings. The Switch is best paired with what might be the world’s largest onion rings. We haven’t verified that claim, but we challenge you to find bigger! They’re not kidding with the “Big” in the name: everything here is very generous in size. Another favourite is the Big M poutine.

To work up your appetite for a Switch, head over to BATL and throw some axes, or try your talents at Archer’s Battlefield which offers ping pong alongside battle archery for drop in or team events.

Little Thief Bakery Co.

12 Brock St W, Uxbridge

Little Thief Bakery Co. is primarily what it sounds like—offering bread, apple fritters, and incredible cinnamon buns. But we’ve become fans of their sandwich offerings. What have we tried lately? The Autumn Vibes Sando includes roasted delicata squash, whipped goat cheese with sage, pomegranate seeds, red onion, arugula and prosciutto, all layered on their house made sourdough focaccia. Do we even need to say more?!

We don’t. But we will: we recommend you try the Croque Monsieur, a sandwich that is stacked with black forest ham, Dijon, gruyere cheese on house sour dough loaf, with a creamy mornay sauce. The sandwich is baked to melty gooey perfection. 

After your visit to Little Thief, stop in at any of the shops in Downtown Uxbridge, with some key haunts to browse including Blue Heron Books, Presents Presents Presents, The Lemonade Stand, The Passionate Cook’s Essentials, and Wood’s Clothing, to name but a few.

The Shortis|s

379 Simcoe Street, Beaverton

Egg salad sandwiches might not seem too special. But that’s because you haven’t had one made fresh, piled high with heritage blend lettuce, on a freshly baked croissant. This soft, healthy, filling and simple sandwich transcends simplicity and becomes memorable within this cozy and hygge café in the heart of Beaverton, Ontario.

A perfect light lunch leaves room for a cruffin, cinnamon bun or affogato for dessert. An affogato is a scoop of creamy vanilla yoghurt ice cream, drowned in a shot of The Shortis|s’ rich espresso.

This will give you the boost of energy to head out for a walk to Beaverton’s waterfront to see the Beaverton Harbour Sculpture Project, stopping at gems along the way. Be sure to visit  Shirley’s Country Clutter which offers Canadian artisan products like honey, hand-knit items and jewellery as well as the Great Canadian Art Machine, a unique way to purchase original art.

Remember, we want to know what your favourite sandwich is! Tell us on social and tag @DurhamTourism.