Nonna’s Sandwiches

I grew up in Toronto and there are two culinary things that I miss the most from there. A decent Jewish cheese danish and a veal sandwich. I’ve found a few places in Vancouver that can get close to the cheese danish (Solly’s and that little chinese bakery on Davie street) but for 25 years I’ve been looking for that elusive veal sandwich. No one here has been able to come close. I’ve been to a few places that were pretty decent after I told them EXACTLY how to make it but none of those exist anymore.
Tonight I finally had a veal sandwich as close as I’ve gotten to that amazing taste from T.O. Nice bun, tomato sauce, breaded cutlet, provalone cheese, sweet peppers. Yum! I didn’t have to tell him anything. That was exactly the way it was on the menu.
Some other reviewers have made comparisons to the California sandwiches back east which I have tried and they certainly are amazing. My memories go even farther back to the small neighbourhood Italian restaurants that made these sandwiches long before California sandwiches was around. All I can say is this: Nonna’s is the best Italian/​Toronto style veal sandwich you will find in Vancouver. If you know of a better one please let me know as I have been searching a long time and haven’t found it.
If I had to suggest any improvements it would be that the tomato sauce could have more of a bite to it. Including a few toppings with the base price might make this more attractive to a wider audience but I didn’t mind paying extra for them. The sweet peppers were delicious.
The owner was super nice and very receptive to feedback. I’m sure if there is anything that doesn’t quite cut it for you they would want to hear about it to help them improve the product. They’ve only been open for a month so I would grant them some growing pains. I am so grateful to see this kind of sandwich in Vancouver. I sincerely hope that they do well and will be around for many years to come!

This place just opened up around the corner from me. I was really hoping for something extraordinary, and got something anemic and uninspired.
I ordered a veal sandwich (almost $ 10) with mushrooms and onions (almost $ 1.50; note, you must pay for all toppings). Not the cheapest sandwich, but hey, we’re reserving judgement right? What I got was a small bun with two small, soggy pieces of breaded veal, drowned in tasteless tomato sauce, with a conservative amount of my chosen toppings.
The sandwich was Ok. It wasn’t bad. But it certainly didn’t live up to my expectations or what I paid for it.
Their website states: «Nonna could whip up an amazing sandwich in no time, leaving you wanting for more.»
Ignoring the grammatical blunder, this is only half true. See, I waited quite long time for the privilege of paying $ 12 for a sandwich. So I would hardly call that «in no time». However, it is very true that I was left wanting more as the portion size was small enough to justify eating another, had I had the money or patience to do so.
Guys, you want to be in business 6 months from now? Drop your prices by at least $ 3 a sandwich (even lower would be advisable though) and stop asking several dollars for a measly handful of sautéed veggies. You’re not serving up anything I couldn’t get at my local grocery store for more than $ 5 and make in 20min tops. Which is about as long as I spent waiting for my order, anyway. I realize that you need to cover the cost of running a business. But instead of looking for an immediate payday, think about it as an investment – it’ll pay off tenfold.
In the meantime, if you want an amazing sandwich, go see the folks at La Grotta del Formaggio further east on the drive. You’ll pay less and get way more that tastes 1000x better.

This was SUPER underwhelming. I was excited that an Italian sandwich shop was opening on Commercial, but this is not what I was hoping for. I got the Sausage Sandwich and it was a whole lot of meh. So bland.
The sausage had no taste, no spice, no nothing and the same goes for the sauce. Plus you have to pay extra just to get grilled peppers and onions on top.
That’s right, if you just get the Sausage Sandwich with no toppings, it’s bread, meat, tomato sauce… Every time I’ve ever gotten an Italian Sausage Sandwich before it COMES with grilled peppers and onions.
All told it was 10 bucks for a really, very, considerably, bland sandwich. I’m not sure about any of their other menu items, but with the price for a single sandwich (that tasted mostly of bread) with no sides, I’m not going to be heading back there to give it another shot.

Tried the meatball and eggplant sandwiches: both are great. Bread is soft and fresh, portions are reasonable. Sauce is tasty and homemade. One thing to keep in mind is that cheese and other toppings are extra. We also got minestrone soup on the house!
I highly recommend this place, particularly if you like Italian sandwiches.

If you have never been to Toronto’s California Sandwiches this place is great, just what Vancouver needed, but if you have been then the clone-​wich leaves a little to be desired.
Same menu, same picture on the door, not quite the same sandwich.
Some points on the sandwich and the differences below:
* Sandwiches are not quite as big, roughly 2/​3rds the size and only one piece of veal. You can finish it and not feel like your stomach is destroyed but it’s the same price as Cali for less.
* Veal is pretty great, well seasoned and delicious.
* Sauce is good, but the sandwich could use some more.
* Gotta pay for hot peppers. Not quite as spicy as Cali’s.
* Bun is a nice ciabatta, toasted, which is actually really good.
It’s like your mom is copying your favourite of grandma’s recipes. But unlike grandma she doesn’t think you look too thin and she can’t quite make it exactly right. Doesn’t mean it’s bad though. It’s a great sandwich especially when compared to a local place like Meat & Bread, but it’s not quite as good as the California Sandwiches version.
If your a Cali Sandwich fan and don’t want to pay $ 400+ for a ticket to Toronto + the sandwich price this is the place for you.