This mouthwatering $12 sandwich is the best thing I ate in Toronto this week

Toronto Star

28-05-2025

WHERE I ATE THIS WEEK
A $15 three-course pasta lunch in North York, an incredible $13 muffuletta in Etobicoke, and $2 buttery Uzbek samsas in Scarborough — each week, food reporter Karon Liu travels the GTA to bring you a trusted and affordable recommendation on what to eat while exploring the city.
Bangers and Mash Sando, $12, from Hot Pork at 932 Dundas St. W.
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THE DISH
This delightfully messy sandwich starts with a four-ounce Irish banger patty made from Ontario pork, breadcrumbs and aromatics like allspice, mace, ginger and cloves. It's paired with a square of seared mashed potatoes — yes, an actual slab of creamy mash with a golden crust — plus caramelized onions and gravy made from smoked brisket drippings (add a double patty for $4). It's a saucy sandwich best eaten on the spot, especially when the mashed potatoes' delicate crust gives way and buttery, silky spud and gravy land on your fingers (there's a washroom downstairs). The potatoes bring butteriness, the onions a bittersweet smokiness, and the patty a gentle spice. Grab one while it's still on the menu — it's only around for another month before a lighter, warm-weather option takes its place.
THE OWNER
Hot Pork owner Michael Synowicki.
Karon Liu/ Toronto Star
Toronto is in the midst of a breakfast-sandwich boom, and Hot Pork — which opened in early 2024 — is part of the new crop. Before launching the shop, owner Michael Synowicki cooked at hotels like the King Edward and the Toronto Marriott. Like many hotel chefs, when the pandemic hit he lost his job and had to pivot. Synowicki began making sausages, using equipment and recipes from his father's long-shuttered midtown gourmet food shop from the '70s. He supplied restaurants and grocers, popping up at the Junction Farmers' Market (he's still there every Saturday), and his popularity grew enough that he opened a storefront.
ALSO ON THE MENU
Bangers and Mash Sando with a side kale Ceasar salad.
Karon Liu/ Toronto Star
Pair your sandwich with the kale Caesar salad ($8 for a small size, $16 for large): shredded kale tossed with a garlicky house-made dressing, lots of Parmesan, sourdough croutons from Lev Bakery, crispy smoked pork belly and ground fried chicken sprinkled on top. For non-meat options, there's a fried eggplant caprese sandwich, $13, a double egg breakfast sandwich, $8, and an egg caprese sandwich, $12. There's also a grocery counter of house-made pickled carrots, beets and onions, cured salmon, sausages and beef tallow.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
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EXPLORE THE AREA
Hot Pork is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., ideal for early risers that want to beat the brunch crowd in Trinity Bellwoods. The place is also right at the northeast corner of the park if you want to eat the sandwich al fresco. Right next door to Hot Pork is the charming indie horror book store Little Ghosts (930 Dundas St. W.) and Ella's Uncle café (916 Dundas St. W.) is just a few minutes away. Continue the sandwich crawl by heading to Lambo's Deli (176 Bellwoods Ave.) for Italian-style subs at lunchtime.
This is the Thursday, May 22 edition of Food Crawl, the Star's weekly food newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every week.