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Girls Gone Veal: Etobicoke’s Best Veal Sandwich
Veal on a bun is perhaps the most controversial sandwich in North America. There are those who believe veal is gnarly and cruel, and those who savor the veal dish for its subtle delicacy. Torontoist was forced to look past these competing beliefs to uncover the phenomenon of veal in Etobicoke. Veal sandwiches, like it or lump it, have become a staple of the Etobicoke diet.
To find out more about the veal-eating habits of Etobicokians, Torontoist sent two of our top Etobicoke correspondents, Erin and Liz, out to find Etobicoke’s best veal sandwich. In Erin’s words:
Liz and I love veal sandwiches and were looking for the best veal sandwich in Etobicoke. Every time we want a veal sandwich, we are always up in arms as to where to go!! So we wanted to decide once and for all.
We got veal sandwiches from Bartello’s on Islington Ave, Carnicelli’s on The Queensway, Rocco’s Plum Tomato on the Queensway, California Sandwiches on the Queensway, Espresso Bakery on Dundas and La Rose Bakery on La Rose Ave. Lenny’s on Dundas and Mamma Martino’s on the Queensway were supposed to be included but they weren’t open for lunch so there may be a rematch… 
We asked for mushrooms and cheese on each of them, however if mushrooms included a mix with peppers or onions we had to go without it because anything else like onions could interfere with the taste. After buying the sandwiches, we re-heated each sandwich in the oven and then labeled the bottoms of the plates as to where each sandwich was from. We then had them numbered from 1-6, with Liz and I out of the room of course. We each started from one end taking one bite each from the sandwich writing our comments and then gargling with water before the next bite.
We were judging on sandwich as a whole; the quality, texture and freshness of the bun, the sauce, assembly of the sandwich, appearance, and the veal itself. Here were the results:
1. Bartello’s – We both enjoyed the most; it had a unique and intriguing taste, different from the rest. We decided it has something to do with the mushrooms, which were of the Portobello variety I believe. Also it has thick chewy veal, and just the right amount of sauce.
2. Tie between Rocco’s Plum Tomato and Carnicelli’s – We had differing views on 2nd place. Liz loved Rocco’s but I thought it tasted identical to lasagna. And I figured if I wanted lasagna I would have got some lasagna, u know?!
Carnicelli’s we had both never had before… it was the perfect size, had a fresh round bun and wasn’t as sloppy and messy as some of the others. The sauce was delicious, it was very cheesy, and lots of veal!!! Which of course we both liked!!
3. Espresso Bakery – This sandwich included peppers and onions with the mushrooms which definitely added to the sandwich. We both thought it could have used more sauce and the bun as not fresh, but a good sandwich!! 
4. California Sandwiches – On first bite, I thought I really liked this sandwich. But after a few more bites I realized that the sauce was waaay too salty (waaaay too salty!!!) and the sandwich itself was too big and sloppy. Liz did not like the sauce at all…and we were surprised at this because on the wall in the restaurant it had some newspaper mentions for “best veal sandwich.” Perhaps this should be further investigated.
5. La Rose Bakery – Both Liz and I liked this one the least. It was very mushy; the veal didn’t feel quite done. I didn’t like the sauce at all, it was too peppery and tasted like a from-the-can tomato sauce, and Liz made similar observations.
So for those who eat veal, Erin and Liz hope this guide to Etobicoke veal eating will come in handy on your next visit. For those who don’t eat veal, Erin and Liz understand, but still think veal sandwiches are tasty.