May. 21, 2008 - Issue #657: Willkommen!

Italian Bakery

You’ll want to keep the secret

 Shhh ... I want to tell you about my favourite lunchtime bargain.

One day I joined a group of guys I work with for lunch. I jumped in the car not knowing where I was going; I was surprised when we arrived at the Italian Bakery on 97th street. I’m sure that like me you’ve driven by the totally random Italian bakery in the middle of Chinatown a million times. What was funny was that even though I am a sucker for bakeries and I frequent a number of Asian restaurants in the area, I had never been to this Italian bakery.  

I quickly asked what we were going to have here, and the response was sandwiches. To be honest, I am not a huge sandwich fan. Sure I enjoy a BLT, but only if you lose the lettuce, and double the cheese and bacon. I’m not a huge fan of raw vegetables and I absolutely hate when sandwiches, wraps and submarines are packed with filler ingredients like lettuce. I find they take away from what I like, which is basically meat and cheese. Don’t judge me, I know I am a headed down the road to scurvy, I just don’t care.
 

I pouted my way into the back of the bakery and was shocked to find the small area in front of the deli counter packed with all sorts of people. I pulled a number from the red dispenser and poked around until they called me up. I was slightly confused by the 8 x 11 sign with three sandwich options:
 

Small $2.50 including GST—one meat, one cheese

Medium $3 including GST—two meat, one cheese

Large $5 including GST—two meat, one cheese
 

I mentioned that it was my first time here and asked what the deal was. My chosen sandwich artist showed me the three sizes of bread options, and told me that I could have any meat or cheese I wanted. I decided that $2.50 was too cheap to be a good sandwich, so I decided on the medium. I dismissed the mustard, mayo and banana peppers and asked her to go heavy on the vegetable spread. I took a quick peek at the 50 or so meat options and decided on the proscoutto. In an effort to try something new, I looked past some of my true loves for the cheese selection—havarti, gouda, asiago—and decided on the German Butter. 

 

I joined my male co-workers at one of the three café style tables by the window and bit in. Seriously, this is how all sandwiches should be made. There had to be a centimetre of meat packed in with the delicious cheese and roasted red pepper tasting veggie spread. I sat there, fresh crusty bun crumbs all over my clothes, completely in my happy place. I couldn’t finish the medium, but I couldn’t pass by some of the delicious pastries I saw—this is a bakery, after all—so I left off the sandwich and tried  a cream horn ($2). Again, I sat there with powdered sugar all over my face and clothes, completely in my happy place.
 

The Italian Bakery has become my new favourite lunch place. I’m a sucker for a good-tasting bargain, and the exponential number of meat and cheese combinations has kept me happy at least once a week for the last two months. I’ve also learned that a small sandwich is more than enough for me, but also leaves room for one of the many cream-filled pastries that call to me through the glass. On my most recent trip I learnt that you don’t have to buy the whole tiramisu for $25, you can have a slice for $2.50. I prefer a light tasting tiramisu that doesn’t have a strong coffee taste. I can tell you that after my first bite my first response was “Oh my bleep; this is good tiramisu.” My friend sat there laughing as I continued to inhale the fluffy dessert.

 

If you’re a fan of sandwiches, you don’t care about vegetables and love meat, you will most certainly love the bargain-priced sandwiches at the Italian bakery. The $5 sandwich is the size of my face, and physically heavy, but somehow the guys I work with can pack them back. Boys are gross though, and they don’t seem to care about keeping room for dessert the way I do.
 

I’ve since shared the secret with a number of my girlfriends who are open to a sandwich and fresh cream-filled canoli. It’s great for a quick take-away, but pulling up a chair by the window is also fabulous for people watching. While there are many sandwich lovers who pull a ticket from the number dispenser, there are also many regulars who come in to buy bread and fresh pastries. Right in the middle of Chinatown, the Italian Bakery has managed to satisfy customers since 1960.
 

Every visit I learn there is something else to intrigue me. Coffee and hot chocolate are a dollar each, cappuccino or a café latté a whopping $2.

You can have a small sandwich, San Pellegrino Limonata, and your choice of biscotti for the bargain-basement price of $5. 
 

It is the simplicity and quality of their ingredients that keep me coming back for more. I also appreciate their patience with me as I attempt to try different combinations. My favourite employee is always eager to help me discover a new cheese to please my palate. (I thought such novelties like great customer service for a $2.50 sandwich were a thing of the past.)
 

You won’t be disappointed, but please, try to keep it down. V

Mon - Sat (7:30 am - 7 pm)

Italian Bakery

10646 - 97 St, 424.4830

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