CENTRE STREET DELI

EASILY, TORONTO'S BEST SMOKED MEAT SANDWICH...

If you are seeking a true, traditional and classic Jewish deli experience, you’ve found it. With long line-ups of kvetching bubbies, wild little rug-rats running around unattended and overly aggressive staff directing your each and every move, this delicatessen is easily worth the wait (and provides for some of the best people watching in the city). Established in 1988 and a cousin of the infamous Snowdon Deli (and Schwartz’s competitor) in Montreal, Centre Street Deli has grown with Toronto (not to mention the Thornhill community) and there is no question it’s here to stay.

This establishment offers your typical deli environment with folded, laminated menus, a mix of tables and booths, cutlery and table settings from the ‘60s (including paper placemats) and an attentive wait staff, ensuring your cup of coffee is always hot and full. The menu is similar to the atmosphere and rather predictive, but with great diversity; including fresh juices, eggs, omelettes, deli sandwiches, non deli but (deli-ichous) sandwiches and a long list of yummy homemade baked goods and desserts. For breakfast, my favourites include scrambled eggs and salami (also known as eggs and vorscht) or the traditional bagel, lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese. Unfortunately the bagels are not brought in from Montreal but to some (most?), you may prefer Centre’s Toronto style bagel.

Hands down the big attraction and reason Centre Street is on my list, is its absolutely huge, built proper, stacked high, juicy and dissolve in your mouth Old Fashioned Montreal-Style Smoked Meat. Centre Street has taken lessons and mastered from its older sister, Snowdon, producing one of the best hot sandwiches in the city. Although you can choose to order the regular smoked meat, I highly recommend the old fashioned, providing more flavour (but more fat) and extra yummy seasoning. In addition, Centre Street double-fry's its French Fries, giving them a not too greasy, crisp and tasty crunch. This sandwich is a divine culinary masterpiece and after spending time in Montreal both visiting family and at McGill, Centre Street provides me with fond memories that simply cannot compare or compete with most Toronto (corned-beef) imitators.

Although it’s a nuisance for most Torontonians to head north to Centre Street for brunch or lunch, I highly recommend the experience. *** Don't forget to hit-up the take-out counter on your way out as it's always nice to bring home a fresh rye, karnatzel, smoked meat (order it hot so its sliced thick!) and a box of party sandwiches.

Recommendation: Cott’s Black Cherry Soda, One order of Karnatzel (Jewish pepperoni stick); and the Centre Street Sandwich Special, choosing: Old Fashioned, Medium, Smoked Meat (on rye), hand cut double- fried French Fries, Coleslaw and a Pickle.

HOURS: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm; Daily.
ADDRESS: 1136 Centre Street, Thornhill
PRICE: $15 including tax + tip (Centre Street Sandwich Special)
WEBSITE: http://www.centrestreetdeli.com/home.html