The Best Peameal Bacon Sandwiches in Toronto | TasteToronto
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The Best Peameal Bacon Sandwiches in Toronto

Emma Kula

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Emma Kula

The Best Peameal Bacon Sandwiches in Toronto

While many are aware that Toronto is known for peameal bacon sandwiches, there is some fascinating history behind this delectably salty delight. Over one hundred years ago, our beloved city became affectionately nicknamed "Hogtown" due to the sheer number of pork processing plants that popped up to serve a booming export business. William Davies immigrated to Toronto from Britain in 1854, opening up a small shop in the historic St. Lawrence Market. His business soon proved to be excellent for export after he sent cured pork loin packed in ground peas back to England, realizing that this method helped extend the shelf life of the product. By the early 1900s, his company had expanded into a food store chain and a sizeable pork exporting business, contributing to the popularity of this cured back bacon (which, by the way, began to get rolled in cornmeal following WWI due to availability, and this is still how we see peameal bacon prepared today). It wasn't until the 1960s that Joe Hoiner, the St. Lawrence Market butcher shop owner, came up with the idea to partner with an adjacent bakery to fry up the ends of his peameal loins and stuff them into a fresh kaiser bun with a drizzle of honey mustard. This is how Carousel Bakery's famous sandwich was born and it still remains the most well-known in the city. Whether you're looking for this simple classic or a creative twist on the peameal sandwich, several spots serving Toronto's signature dish have arrived in various neighbourhoods over the years, so check out our full list below!

St. Lawrence

219 King St E

The Patrician Grill

American

The Patrician Grill

St. Lawrence

219 King St E

American

Insomnia

Breakfast & Brunch

Insomnia

Breakfast & Brunch

Beast

Beast

Little Italy

74 Lippincott St

Aunties & Uncles - CLOSED

Breakfast & Brunch

Aunties & Uncles - CLOSED

Little Italy

74 Lippincott St

Breakfast & Brunch

St. Clair West

810 St Clair Ave W

Emma's Country Kitchen

Comfort Food

Emma's Country Kitchen

St. Clair West

810 St Clair Ave W

Comfort Food

Roncesvalles

2413 Dundas St W

The Merseyside

The Merseyside

Roncesvalles

2413 Dundas St W

Junction Triangle

1640 Dupont St #3

TuckShop Kitchen

TuckShop Kitchen

Junction Triangle

1640 Dupont St #3

Junction Triangle

3035 Dundas St W

When The Pig Came Home

When The Pig Came Home

Junction Triangle

3035 Dundas St W

St Lawrence

91 Front St E

Paddington's Pump

Paddington's Pump

St Lawrence

91 Front St E

St. Lawrence

93 Front St E

Carousel Bakery

Canadian

Carousel Bakery

St. Lawrence

93 Front St E

Canadian