Whenever I am in midtown Toronto during the day and need something delicious and on-the-go, I make my way to La Salumeria.

While La Salumeria is essentially what it calls itself, a delicatessen (in Italian), carrying a wide variety of deli meats and cheeses, the tightly packed shop also carries a nice selection of breads, olives, oils, vinegars (particularly aged balsamic vinegars), condiments, dried pasta and other imported European goods. It’s a great place to pick up something you didn’t know you needed in your pantry, or a nice host gift.

Oh, but back to my favourite thing about La Salumeria. Not only is it a deli/food emporium shop, they also make the best sandwiches! You select your bun, bring it to the deli counter and you can either choose your meats and cheese or have them make something up for you. Each sandwich is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and hot peppers and either mayo and mustard or olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Note that they do not have a seating area inside so you will have to take your sandwich to go.

Pro tip: if you can’t eat your sandwich for awhile, do not get the olive oil/balsamic dressing as it will make your bread soggy which we all know is non buono. If you can eat your sandwich right away, definitely opt for the olive oil/balsamic dressing – it is delicious.