Yes, there’s a sandwich revolution taking over the country, but this isn’t just a Canadian trend. Time Out’s Morgan Olsen highlighted the “25 most spectacular sandwiches in the world right now”, from Tokyo to L.A. to Lima. And can you guess which Canadian restaurant made the cut? Montreal’s Nopalito, where chef Christian Manuel Ventura Alatorre has created the vegan “Veracruzana” torta. Filled with black beans, mushrooms, plantain, and feta “cheese”, it’s a handheld wonder.

While Montreal’s culinary scene is well-renowned, it’s not just the usual smoked meat treat and lox bagel that reign supreme on everyone’s must-eat lists lately. Creations from a new crop of delis, counters, and shacks have everyone talking… and drooling.

Take, for example, Mitch Deli, Maxime Gagné’s pandemic-born sandwicherie. Nestled inside a record shop, the kitchen has not only been cooking up one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the city (and that’s saying something), but many other delights too. Just picture one of their recent specials: tuna tartare, roasted squash, ponzu, coriander cream, lettuce, and puffed rice on a shimmery, buttery bun.

On the topic of shellfish, here’s one of the most amazing bites we had while hunting for the best thing since sliced bread: Bistro Otto’s shrimp burger. We’re trying to find the words to describe this snack without being dramatic. Maybe we should just give you the lowdown: a breaded black tiger shrimp patty topped with lettuce, cilantro, Japanese pickles, yuzu mayo, spicy tomato sauce, and sweet miso on a cloud-like sesame bun. Is your mouth watering yet?

A newcomer to Montreal’s St-Henri area, BarBara has been slinging out all kinds of Italian delights. But for our intents and purposes, it’s the layers of mortadella, provolone, dijon, and caponata on fresh focaccia that caught our eye.

But if cold cuts are your thing, look no further than McKiernan, just a little further west. Let us introduce you to their version of the muffuletta: towering layers of homemade mortadella, spicy soppressata, and ham are piled on top of house bread along with plenty of cheese, shredded lettuce, and a pickled vegetable spread. You better gear up for this one.

There aren’t enough words to cover the breadth (and height!) of incredible sarnies in Montreal, but here are a few more spots to keep you going on this city-wide quest: Salle Climatisée, Tinc Sec, L’Andouille, Capitaine Sandwich, and of course, mainstays Olive & Gourmando, Dépanneur Le Pick Up, and Wilensky’s, which will forever hold their place in our sandwich-loving hearts.

That brings us to Toronto, where the competition for the best fried chicken sandwich, Japanese sando, and breakfast sammie is hot, hot, hot.

Let’s start with breakfast (as one does). In Kensington, Egg Bae’s Eh Bae Bae – a golden brioche filled with the fluffiest scrambled eggs, house-cured bacon, Muenster, tomato, arugula, pickled shallots, and tangy Bae Sauce – might be the only meal you need that day.

Meanwhile, Egg Club is making the ham & cheese sandwich of our dreams. Between thick slices of Japanese milk bread, you’ll find creamy layers of folded eggs, cheddar, and ham, as well as sweet chili and their house sauce. There are loads more fillings to pick from, like balsamic onion, Swiss cheese, smoked sausage, and guacamole. But that bread, though…

One more Japanese-inspired tip? You don’t have to ask us twice. Godspeed Brewery’s Katsu-Sando, a panko-breaded pork cutlet with tangy-sweet tonkatsu sauce on – you guessed it – the fluffiest milk bread, is up there with the best of the best.

When it comes to fried chicken, Toronto’s culinary scene flies high. Check out Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken, PG Clucks, Chica’s Chicken, and The Heartbreak Chef, to name a few. It almost feels unfair to describe how their offerings stack up. They’re everything you could possibly want in a fried chicken sandwich – crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, perfectly seasoned – and we love them all equally.

It should be clear by now that we can hardly contain ourselves when it comes to sandwiches. Thankfully, neither can Maha’s (truly) Mind Blowing Chicken sandwich, where the meat is tossed with parsley, onions, and tomatoes, and served on a (comparatively) miniscule egg bun with Egyptian tomeya (garlic sauce), tahini, and homemade mayo. You only have to see it to believe the hype.

Finally, it wouldn’t be summer if we didn’t mention Prince Edward County. While we’re on a roll (ahem), we thought we’d share some of the sandwiches that have been making regular appearances in our dreams while we patiently await the next long weekend. There’s Bermuda’s cauliflower shawarma flatbread, with zhoug, toum, a cucumber and tomato salad, feta, and spiced tahini. There’s Flossie’s Sandwich Parlour’s When Porky Met Petunia, a house-made sausage patty wrapped in bacon, topped with a fried egg, house aioli, and aged cheddar cheese. Of course (of course!), there’s Sand and Pearl’s unmissable lobster rolls. And while we’re not here to start another “do hot dogs count as sandwiches” debate, Old Salt’s cocktail and sausage pairings are especially irresistible, and well worth awakening the ire of sandwich purists!

On that note, we’re off to grab yet another bread-alicious snack. We hope you’ll have a great Summer of the Sandwich.

Read more:

This Unexpected Spirit Stars in Summer’s Most Refreshing Cocktail
This New Cookbook Is Here to Help You Eliminate Kitchen Waste
Lauren Toyota’s Vegan Pantry Staples