Sammie’s — Restaurant in Toronto

The Annex, with its ever-revolving door of eateries, rarely lets its culinary scene grow stale. While walking through Koreatown with friends, we noticed a restaurant we hadn’t seen before — Sammie’s, a sandwich shop with a modern look, spacious seating, and an impressive 4.9-star rating only two months into opening. The first impression was undeniably promising.

What really drew me in, though, was a single word boldly emblazoned among others on the window: Reuben. Still savoring the memory of a phenomenal Reuben from a recent Boston trip, we rushed inside — only to learn that Sammie’s version is a Friday-only special. A mild letdown, but curiosity won out over disappointment.

While we were deciding what to order, a friendly woman nearby (who we later learned was part of the staff) raved about the chips, describing them as hand-cut and dusted with a special seasoning. Our anticipation only grew.

We ended up ordering two of their two-sandwich combos: three steak sandwiches, one turkey club, two house-made chips, a Vietnamese iced coffee, and three sodas.

Then the food arrived.

Despite the buzz and the ambiance, Sammie’s simply didn’t deliver on the hype. And while I hesitate to critique a fledgling business, a $50 (~$23-25 per person) tab for what amounted to a forgettable meal deserves honest scrutiny.

The 15-minute wait for food felt acceptable at first. Maybe the steak was grilled fresh? Maybe the chips were being fried to order? But whatever care went into preparation didn’t quite show on the plate.

The steak sandwich was the biggest letdown. Thin slices of under-seasoned steak were tucked into soft, fluffy hoagie rolls, with a chimichurri that lacked brightness and depth. Rather than lifting the sandwich, it muddied the flavor. The texture was also off: too much pillowy bread, not enough substance. As one baker famously said, “Air is the most important ingredient in a sandwich” — but here, the imbalance made each bite feel hollow. Compared to something like Bear Steak’s messy, stacked creations, Sammie’s offering felt timid. Even a simple crunch element, like matchstick potatoes, could’ve added much-needed contrast.

The turkey club didn’t fare better. It lacked character — limp bacon, barely-there mayo, and a stingy helping of turkey. The tomato, a natural source of umami, couldn’t shine without proper support. A classic sandwich, mishandled.

The Vietnamese iced coffee was another disappointment. Lacking the signature depth and boldness of Robusta beans, it tasted watered down and under-sweetened, despite the use of condensed milk. More office coffee than café staple.

Even the chips, which had been hyped as a standout, suffered from a classic mistake: they were bagged while still hot. The steam sapped their crispness, leaving them soggy and uneven, with overcooked edges and limp centers.

To Sammie’s credit, they’re still new. There’s room for growth — and that elusive Friday Reuben still holds some intrigue. I genuinely hope the kitchen finds its rhythm and lives up to the early praise. But for now, Sammie’s feels more like a promising idea than a satisfying...

As an infrequent visitor, this new iteration on this site has a relaxed throwback vibe with a new menu.

According to the friendly owner on my first visit, is still working on a few experimental recipes. The sandwiches do not disappoint in their potential. From a classic turkey, meatball or philly cheesesteak, they hit the spot for a good meal. Though you might get sauce on your face and all over yourself, the quick service and mixed with a hearty sub sandwich can really come in handy. Big impression left on me was the meatball sammie. The texture is quite soft with a large bite, however the flavours are familiar with any sandwich. Homely but there is always a bit of a subtle taste. Sauce was light but cheese a bit heavy to keep the peppers and herbs on top, giving it a sweetness against the tart tomatoes.

Though I've met the owners, I think their determination as restaurateurs for the blue collar is admirable. The price is fair and service fairly quick as this spot is quiet enough to seat many groups of 4 to 8 people. Even if your sandwich might take awhile, you have the option to wait or play a few matches of Street Fighter II on a classic arcade machine.

I hope this little business takes off and would return for their trying creations - especially that new...

Located along Bloor near Bathurst Station, Sammie's has been a lovely addition to the area with their delicious sandwiches! Sammie's features a user-friendly online ordering site which allows customers to conveniently pay ahead for pick-up. Can't wait to come back to try more of the menu!

During our visit, the ordering ahead for pick-up was convenient to use and had no issues. We tried the Bourdain sandwich and the Sammie Gluten-Free Wrap, which is essentially a large Vietnamese fresh roll filled with a choice of chicken or tofu. The Bourdain sandwich was delicious with the combination of mayo and house mustard spread. On the other hand, Sammie's Gluten-Free Wrap was an excellent option for those looking for a gluten-free choice. It resembled a large Vietnamese fresh roll, presented in a sandwich-sized format, which really hit the spot in both volume and craving for a fresh roll. Both sandwiches were very generous in portion and are a great value.

Additionally, the shop provides lots of seating and features a retro arcade machine. Washrooms are located in the basement. Service was great, the staff were very friendly and they accept credit cards. Very...