Toronto’s in style vegan sandwich pop-up Stefano’s Sandwiches has lastly discovered a everlasting residence after practically two years. Building of the brand new location is underway and a gap date is predicted for Spring 2023.
Final yr, Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy mentioned on social media that Stefano’s vegan rooster sandwich was the perfect he’s ever had. “Hey Toronto! I had the good privilege of sampling each vegan sandwich on this menu and let me let you know, they’re the perfect I’ve ever had,” Levy tweeted, thanking Discovery Channel host Ziya Tong, who helped craft the sandwiches.
Levy’s favourite vegan chicken sandwich is made with vegan rooster from Barcelona-based model Heura breaded in a secret spice recipe and served with vegan mayonnaise, lettuce, and pickles on house-made ciabatta bread.
Stefano’s Sandwiches
Stefano’s Sandwiches additionally presents different attractive choices corresponding to a Filet O Fish (Gardein fish filet, tartar sauce, and iceberg lettuce on a sesame bun), Corn’d Beef (Unreal Deli Corn’d Beef, Violife smoked provolone, horseradish mustard, mayonnaise, and sauerkraut on toasted sourdough), and Eggplant Parmigiana Sandwich (breaded fried eggplant with tomato sauce and Violife cheese).
Vegan sandwich pop-up exceeds expectations
When Stefano’s Sandwiches homeowners Jenny Coburn and Stacey Patterson created the vegan pop-up in the course of the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2021, they didn’t count on it to turn into so in style. At first, Stefano’s Sandwiches operated out of Coburn and Patterson’s restaurant Ufficio, which they’ve since reworked into vegetarian Italian restaurant Gia.
“The demand for Stefano’s plant-based sandwiches and takeout nicely exceeded expectations, as did the success of Gia, and we merely couldn’t provide each in the identical house,” Coburn tells VegNews.
Stefano’s Sandwiches’ new location occurs to be proper subsequent door to Gia, the place Coburn presents quite a few vegan Italian dishes corresponding to panko-crusted meatballs made with Not possible Beef, Fettuccine Romano and Rigatoni utilizing house-made pasta, and tiramisu for dessert. Coburn and Patterson transitioned the previous pescatarian restaurant Ufficio to a menu that’s utterly meatless after noticing the expansion of diners on the lookout for meatless choices.
Stefano’s Sandwiches
The brand new iteration of Stefano’s Sandwiches shall be a brand new idea known as GIGI market, the place Stefano’s Sandwiches would be the foremost attraction alongside choose Gia gadgets, together with day by day pasta specials, and cold-pressed juices and natural espresso with housemade oat and almond milks.
Plus, GIGI will provide grab-and-go gadgets corresponding to vegan brie, butter, and focaccia. “We see it as a neighborhood grab-and-go, however if you wish to keep for a espresso or juice, please do,” Coburn says. “We’ll provide all gadgets for pick-up and supply. For the reason that pandemic, takeout has actually turn into part of most eating places’ enterprise fashions.”
Stefano’s Sandwiches
If the brand new idea is as profitable because the Stefano’s Sandwiches pop-up has been, Coburn says she plans to broaden to the USA, beginning in Los Angeles. “We love the vegan scene in LA, and there are such a lot of nice merchandise to work with: Miyoko’s, Not possible, Unreal Deli, and Craig’s vegan ice cream,” Coburn says.
Vegan meals in Toronto
Stefano’s Sandwiches joins a rising variety of vegan choices in Toronto, together with 5 areas of fine-dining idea Planta. And along with Dan Levy’s love for town’s vegan scene, different celebs come for the vegan meals, too.
In 2020, vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix, his spouse and vegan actress Rooney Mara, and their son River dropped into Toronto-based vegan restaurant Animal Liberation Kitchen (ALK) to thank them for a meal the household had the day prior.
In accordance with ALK proprietor Tanya Spasic, the well-known vegan household had an assistant choose up a lunch order, which included Phoenix’s favourite Smokey Mac and Cheese. The actor was so impressed with the meal he determined to make a private look, carrying a hoodie emblazoned with Toronto Pig Save (a company he ceaselessly helps) and to order extra meals.
Phoenix has been identified to participate in animal activism in Toronto, too. Throughout the identical go to in 2020, the actor attended a pig vigil at slaughterhouse Fearmans Pork in Burlington, ON—the place 65-year-old animal-rights activist Regan Russell was killed by a slaughterhouse truck driver in 2020 whereas giving pigs water.
Phoenix joined animal-rights activists from Toronto Pig Save and Russell’s husband Mark Powell to pay tribute to the slain activist whereas bearing witness to pigs arriving on the slaughterhouse. “I’m right here to honor Regan and all the activists that dedicate their lives to ending this injustice,” Phoenix mentioned.
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Nicole Axworthy is the Information Editor at VegNews and writer of the cookbook DIY Vegan.
