San Francesco Foods – Clinton

Ah, I feel a little terrible giving three stars but I think that’s an honest rating at the end of the day.
My girlfriend and I decided to make a trip to Little Italy because neither of us had been before, so we jumped on Unilocal and decided to find a good place to go. San Francesco Foods is what we decided upon after reading the ratings. What we were expecting was a little family run shop with great Italian sandwiches. We got the former, not so much the latter. Don’t get me wrong, it was good; just nothing special.
The place was small. One larger table and two small ones. There was one person behind the cash and after going over the sandwich menu, we decided to order a veal sandwich and a small grilled chicken one, both with hot peppers, mushrooms and onions. The girl seemed a bit confused and rushed with the orders she was taking, running back and forth between the cashier and the kitchen. Eventually we got our food, and the orders were correct, so I can’t complain about that.
One major problem we had with the sandwiches were that they were way too oily. They definitely tasted good, but the oil was dripping all over the place. On the plus side, the sandwiches were nice and big and would make for a very fulfilling meal. Also, the mushrooms and onions were grilled which is always a positive. In the end, we decided that the grilled chicken was probably better than the veal sandwich (even though the veal one is what they’re known for).
Oh, and both were under $ 10.
Side note: while we were there, two-​three people walked in just to buy their olives. There’s probably something special about them.

Fantastic Italian sandwiches. Clearly a neighbourhood institution in little Italy. Had the meatball sandwich with peppers, onions and mushrooms. Heavenly. There’s a Queen West location as well.

Haven’t been back to the Clinton store in too many years and NEVER will again.
Nothing like the original. The name may be the same but definitely not the food.
I ordered my old fave pizza and veal sammy. The pizza I got looked and tasted more like pizza pizza than anything the old San Fran’s would ever pull from the oven. I ordered with dbl cheese, came without, same extra sauce. Well done crust… forgot that too. The crust was thin, no flavor and no tooth. I remember a large used to weigh like 10lbs. was thick and delicious.
The veal sammy had virtually no sauce, was one skimpy piece of tough veal.
Hey guys this was THE place that got its rep cuz of their fantastic sandwiches. NOT this one. Not todays San Frans.
What a shame.
California’s here I come.

lighty breaded. a beautiful sandwich

Hygiene is zero.
I ordered the eggplant sandwich. I stood in front of the counter to to see how my food is prepared. Unfortunately, the girl didn’t wear gloves and she is putting the ingredients with her hands. Moreover, the boy how took our order left the cash register and started to cut some raw meat, then, he grabbed my bun, again with out gloves so disgusting!
I couldn’t eat my sandwich and I don’t know why I didn’t say anything, I think I was shocked.
piece of advise: use gloves!

I have seen the reviews for this place and I’m must have missed something? We had the veal and pulled pork sandwich and a pizza slice. Both terrible! And the pizza was just ok. Will not be going back.

I had all intention of heading to Bitondo’s today after my workout, but when I arrived there was no one at the counter and I didn’t make an effort to wait too long or peek into the kitchen as I was hungry, so I simply decided to go across the street to San Francesco where I know I will be greeted right away and served a delicious sandwich.
I was greeted immediately after I entered as expected and since I knew exactly what I wanted, I ordered the veal sandwich with mushrooms and asked for medium which equates to a few hot peppers added to the sandwich.
I’ve been coming here for many years (since my high school days) and there always seems to be competition between Bitondo and San Francesco, but in my hungry state this place serves the purpose with customer service. Both places serves great sandwiches, but with Bitondo’s being known as a Pizzeria, I’ll give San Francesco’s my vote for best sandwiches especially their veal and eggplant sandwiches.
The bread is always fresh (no crusty or day old bread here), the veal lightly breaded and fried to a nice crisp, The veal always tender and tasty, plus the sauce is flavourful and sweet, not salty tasting like other places, mushrooms are freshly sauteed, plus the hot peppers adds a nice little kick to the flavours which blends all so beautifully together and taste oh so good. It really is as good as it gets. Woohoo!
I have to admit after all these years, I have yet to try their pizzas or other Italian foods as I only come here for their sandwiches, so review is strictly based on the veal sandwich and fact after all the years, the sandwiches still remained consistent with every visit and taste exactly how I remembered the sandwiches as a teenager.
Located a little off the beaten path on Clinton just south of College Street, this place is really a neighbourhood hidden gem.

Can’t get enough of these veal sandwiches. Add in the peppers and you’ve got yourself a treat. I stumbled across this place trying to take a shortcut and decided to try the sandwiches because I saw a billboard of it before. The bread is on point and I could eat them on their own. The sauce is true to Italian sandwiches and full of flavour. The veal is delicious and is cooked well. All in all, great place to grab a quick lunch.

First off I want to say that my rating is not regarding the food, the veal sandwich is always delicious! I grew up coming here with my dad and now I still pop in at least once a month to buy it. My rating is for the customer service that has changed drastically over the last few months.
I don’t know if the place has changed owners, but the front counter staff has definitely changed with some new faces. But one in particular just needs to pack up her apron and go. Don’t know her name, she is a malato girl. The first time I saw her there was a few months ago, I found her to be a bit unfriendly towards myself and outright rude to another customer. I thought perhaps she is having an off day (we all have them, although that shouldn’t be used as an excuse). On my second visit, she came out with the same unpleasant demeanor. Today I was in there and I’m sorry but she is just outright miserable. I greeted her with a hello as I came in and she didn’t answer — never does. On my way out, I said ‘thank you, have a nice weekend’…she didn’t even budge. Its unfortunate that this is the UNwelcome that customers get, if it weren’t for the food — nothing would drag me back in there.

I have Been going to this place since a child. Now it’s my go to place when I visit Toronto!

Killer Veal Sandwiches! Tender, excellent sauce, nice fresh buns and generous serving of cheese with it. A Toronto landmark, tucked away in little Italy. Worth seeking out for a bite. Must indulge in more of the menu when I get the chance

Old School. .. bella sandweeeeeech!!!
Chicken Sandwich (w/​mushrooms + onions + hot peppers)
crispy, chewy bread
sweet sauce
beautifully breaded chicken cutlet
fresh mushrooms (no canned mushy mess. .. neighbour — ‘calfiornia’)
Portuguese dude who grew-​up in the ‘gino’ hey days of the 80’s. My boys back in the day were southern I-TI’s. San Fransesco (clinton st) still one of the all-​time great mom and pop italian style sandwich shops. ATF’s…
La Rose
Messina
Sanremo
Nino’s (d’aversa)
Commisso’s
Nonna’s (place)
Viva Italia!!!

I don’t know how to write this review without being bombastic and ridiculous.
Don’t let the fact that this is technically a chain fool you: the Clinton San Francesco is god-​tier Italian sandwiches. The sausage and meatball sandwiches are to die for, and the price is so ridiculously low that if you haven’t yet tried it you are basically dead to me.
Let me put it this: I would be willing to pay so that the «Daym Drops» dude would come to Toronto just to try the sandwiches here, because it would likely result in an all-​time favourite episodes.

The veal parm sandwich is great! Would for sure come back. Have heard it was good so I had to see for myself. I definitely did not disappoint. Staff appeared to be all family, which made you feel at home. I love small hole in the wall places.

My favorite place anywhere to get a veal or steak sandwiches, their pizza is great too but I love thier sandwiches. My family have been eat at this place since I was a kid, everyone I bring to this place loves it.

Amazing meatball subs. Havent tried anything else yet but hear the pizza is also great! Super cheap, super friendly, super deelish.

Not fancy, not expensive, delicious! I don’t generally like Italian food, but I’ve heard so many good things about the veal sandwich, even I was excited to try it. This place is tucked away on a side street, so you know the food is solid, given the number of years it’s been in business.
Came here with my fiancé, his cousin and the cousin’s gf. We all got veal sandwiches in varying heats. I tried the hot sandwich, and it was delicious! The peppers give it heat, and I’m pretty sure the difference between medium and spicy is simply the number of peppers on the sandwich. It was hot, flavorful, and very filing!
They offer other menu items (mostly other sandwiches and pizza), but from what I saw on other tables, there’s no reason to stray from the veal sandwich.

This place is an absolute institution. My father has gone her since he was a teenager and I have gone my entire life.
There is nothing better than their hot veal sandwiches which you can get ‘sweet’ with no peppers or ‘medium’ or ‘hot’ with peppers.
I don’t indulge often, but the hot cacciatore sausage is the best.
The restaurant changed hands in the past year. While I miss the old faces and the old set up, the new people have cleaned the place up and are still making the same great food. The only thing is I have noticed that at time they do not add enough sauce and dip one side of the sandwich fully in the delicious sauce. This can be solved by simply asking for extra sauce.

The veal sandwich is so delicious! I got it spicy and it was VERY spicy! The veal is so tender and they give you so much! I don’t usually eat veal but I found myself enjoying every tasty tender bite. Service was friendly too which is always a bonus!

Lots of options in comparison to some of the other Italian sandwich shops. I love that they have a whole wheat bun option. Bonus points for having a good recycling facility. They have options for payment other than just cash only like some places. People come from far away, and there is a fairly constant lineup here. I like that they have about 12 chairs so that at least some people can sit down, and there is a 2 person bench outside as well.
I like that they have the option of grilled chicken, it is a lot healthier than crispy chicken, and lets people decide. I added mushrooms and eggplant to mine, which were a dollar each extra.