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Carousel Bakery
Categories: Restaurants Sandwiches Food Bakeries Sandwiches, Bakeries [Edit]
93 Front St ESt. Lawrence Market
Toronto, ON M5E 1C3
Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core
(416) 863-6764
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 8 am - 6 pm
Fri 8 am - 7 pm
Sat 5 am - 5 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Carousel Bakery
Review Highlights
32 reviews in English
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Review from Asuka N.
4/8/2012
All I really knew about Canadian bacon was that it's one of a litany of items (maple syrup, reindeer, moose) that I associate with our friends north of the border. Apparently, it's a bit more than that - and a lot tastier than the bastardized versions than I've sampled in the U.S. After wandering through St. Lawrence Market a bit, we decided to try this after saying this was a Toronto tradition and world-famous (yes, as a tourist, I was a bit of a sucker for the advertising). Nevertheless, we happened to get in when the line was short, so we grabbed one of the peameal bacon sandwiches. Very straightforward as advertised - you get a nice stack of bacon in a roll, nothing else. I think it's easy to complain about there not being any additional condiments included, but that's all I want - a bunch of meat between a warm bun, thank you very much! The meat itself is delicious - not very fatty at all, but with hints of maple and very flavorful overall. The bun actually does contribute quite a bit, as eating this wouldn't be quite as good if it wasn't something you could just stuff in your face and chow down on.
I'd definitely have the sandwich again, but they do run out of buns (we had one around 2:30 PM on Saturday), and I'd feel a bit short-changed if I got stuck eating it on anything other than a fresh kaiser roll. But it was worth the $5.50, and I'd definitely come back here to eat a full one for myself next time - no sharing! -
Review from Joey J.
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
My brother-in-law once held a theory on food: it's nothing more than a vessel for condiments. He would definitely love the peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel. Upon opening up the wrapper, I was a little bit disconcerted to notice that the sandwich was nothing more than just bread and pork. Perfectly breaded, succulent pork certainly. But just peameal bacon. Then, I looked left and saw a line of condiments to the left of the stand. Everything from mustard to horseradish to barbeque sauce was there to dress up the salty, yet subtly divine flavor of the peameal bacon. This is one Canadian experience I'm glad I engaged in during my Toronto trip. My deepest regret was not dining on enough sandwiches to perfect a flavor combination, but horseradish and Regina mustard definitely did the trick.
Note, I did everything in my power to not use the old Friends joke of "Wouldn't Canadians just call Canadian bacon bacon?" joke. -
Review from Brian T.
12/31/2011
As a "Yank," it was a bit of a revelation to visit St. Lawrence Market and discover what "Canadian Bacon," as we south-of-the-border call it, actually ought to be like! Peameal Bacon is best experienced here at Carousel Bakery.
The sandwich is simple, to be sure: merely a generous portion of juicy, succulent pork on a bun. But the cornmeal that coats the edges of the meat, when fried, results in a lovely texture and flavor belying the simplicity of the sandwich. Give it a try! There's a reason this is a classic.
The breakfast-on-a-bun is also a tasty way to start the day, a quick grab and go. But there's less bacon -- first timers should try the Peameal Bacon on a Bun. -
Review from Martha V.
2/6/2012
After being disappointed (and chucking my first choice - the seafood salad from the Seafront Fish market) I noticed a couple relishing some tasty looking sandwiches. They pointed out the carousel bakery. How did I miss it???!!! I was looking for the perfect lunch and gave up (hence the seafood salad).
I promptly ordered a peameal sandwich (cut in half please cuz there was no way I was gonna finish it). Tried 2 of the condiments - the sweeter mustards. 15 minutes later I looked down at an empty wrapper. Yep - I ate it all. Not in my usual wheelhouse of lunches (I tend to eat a light lunch) but it was so darn lip smacking good, how could I not finish it? Simple, flavorful, delicious! -
Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
7/28/2011 2 photos
While perusing St. Lawrence Market like any Weekday tourist, one fact is undeniable.
Carousel Bakery had more patrons hanging near them like Flies than most others.
CB provides a visual attraction as well as better-than-most self promotion....
"World Famous"designation, Emeril Lagasse letter-of-gratitude, and Colors that remind you of ol' school McDonalds.
While the price-point stays Tourist-reasonable for that Tourist MUST-TRY Canadian protein (Peameal Bacon), I was slightly surprised to see that the Breakfast on a Bun was prepped ahead of time as 10+ were packaged and waiting for the next purchasers. In addition, I notice a Full Flat-top of Peameal sizzling away for their next round(?)
Breakfast on a Bun($5.30)
- While ingredients are fresh(Peameal Bacon, Egg, Cheese, Country Bun).
I found the composition of the whole to be less than spectacular.
This item doesn't provide the proper showcase of the ingredients to our Global Companions.
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First impact - Country Bun exterior envelopes all other ingredients.
Second impact - Melted Cheese slowly oozes out.
LAST impact - Tender texture of nicely cooked Peameal Bacon.
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Verdict - Juiciness, flavour, and initial impact of the Peameal Bacon is sadly HIDDEN.Listed in: Burger Me, In Search for Canadiana
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Review from Ranell B.
2/22/2012
Very simple, yet very good. Maybe it's because I haven't ever had bacon like this before in the south but this sandwich was pretty damn good. The breakfast version and their regular peameal bacon sandwich hit the spot. The bread was nice and soft and they provide a generous! amount of meat. We didn't try other peameal bacon sandwich's from the other vendors at St. Lawrence Market but this location had Emeril vouching for them so we went with it. Before we left our trip, we were going to stop by for second's but to our dismay the market was closed on Monday. Service was great. We were running low on Canadian cash, and like many places they took the US dollar as well. Definately a must try!
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Review from Lauren M.
7/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Both the "world famous" peameal bacon sandwich and the breakfast sandwich (peameal, cheese, fried egg) are pretty damn good.
There is always a crazy queue to get a sandwich, especially in the midst of summer when tourists read about this place in their Lonely Planet guidebooks.
Regardless, the queue moves along fairly quickly and you can get your hands on a sandwich. The condiments are kept to the side of the Carousel booth and it can be a bit tedious trying to get near them as you wait in yet another queue.
I really do like the country style bun - it's really soft and light, not nearly as stodgy as a hamburger bun.
Overall, reasonable place but there are better, less busy food stalls in the basement of the market. -
Review from Yvonne T.
Tried the "World Famous" Peameal Bacon Sandwich today. Ringing in at almost $6. It was a sandwich made with a bun and a generous serving of peameal bacon wedged in between. That's where it stops. Condiments can be found toward the side of Carousel with your standard mustard, bbq sauce, ketchup etc. However, I opted not to add anything to mine.
The peameal was quite juicy and tender served on their "country-style bun" which I didn't think was anything other than a hamburger bun with a fancy name. It had just the right amount of salt and not overly salty like store-bought versions.
All in all, it was a good sandwich - though I don't know if it was "world famous."Listed in: Dining and Nickeling, St. Lawrence Eats, Patisseries et boulangeries…, Les croissants, les…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/24/2011
***Croissant-based review only***
I work pretty close to the St. Lawrence Market so once a week I… Read more »
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Review from Justine H.
Toronto, ON
8/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Restaurant: Carousel Bakery
Cuisine: Bakery
Location: St Lawrence Market
Address: 93 Front St E
Price Range: ~$10
1: Poor
2: OK
3: Good
4: Very Good
5: Excellent
Food: 1
Service: 3
Ambiance: N/A
Overall: 2
Extra information:
*No specific seating area
*Specialize in Peameal Bacon on a Bun
*Inside St Lawrence Market
Famous for their Peameal Bacon on a Soft Country Bun, Carousel Bakery is located inside the popular tourist attraction, St Lawrence Market. I passed by this place couple times knowing it's very popular, so one day I decided to give it a try. The sandwich was $5.75 plus tax and they have me packets of mustard, mayo, honey mustard and ketchup.
There is nothing BUT peameal bacon inside the bun, and because I was given all these packets of sauce....I decided to put all of them in except the honey mustard. I thought sandwich was kind of on the expensive side...considering you can get 6 foot sandwich at Subway for $5 but I guess the sandwich is pretty big.
There are SO MUCH peameal bacon inside. I guess I am getting my moneys worth.....but it was so salty! The bun was soft and the peameal bacon was good but I didn't see anything special about it. I felt like I was eating a sandwich with thick pieces of salty ham. I kept on trying to taste or feel what the hype was about...but I couldn't.
Summary: This was a big disappointment. It was just salty and nothing special. If I wanted a sandwich, I'd much rather visit Subway for a Subway Club.
*chomp chomp* -
Review from Brad C.
7/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
The peameal bacon sandwich is ALL THAT!
Nice for people watching. Nice selection of drinks, too. -
Review from Alison C.
2/1/2011 1 photo
While strolling through the St. Lawrence Market, we were dead-set on sampling something that Toronto was truly known for. We were referred to the "Famous Peameal Bacon Sandwich" from the Carousel Bakery.
The "Country-Style Bun" was your standard bulky sandwich roll, but its quality was pretty irrelevant. The specialty cut of bacon was the true star of the dish. It might have been a bit greasy, but the thickly-sliced meat remained lean, tender, and packed with flavor. The sandwich was even more enjoyable when topped with mustard and hot peppers.
Even though I have just finished my lunch, my mouth is watering at the memory of this succulent sandwich. I rarely indulge in fatty lunches like this, but when in Rome...or, rather, Toronto! -
Review from Tara Z.
9/6/2011
Bah. Piles of peameal on a bun--no condiments, no vegetables, nothing. What a profound disappointment. It was so salty that it was overwhelming; after the first three bites I couldn't taste anything anymore. I guess it gets props for being exactly as described, but there are way better things to spend your money on at the market.
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Review from Radford T.
Peameal bacon sandwich. From now on, every trip I take to Toronto, I will make a point to stop at Carousel Bakery. For my readers who don't know what peameal bacon is - it is bacon cut from pork loin and coated in cornmeal, and it has a tendency to cause a gastronomical pants explosion. It is a specialty of Toronto and Carousel Bakery is famous for it.
I only wish there was actually some kind of seating here other than the small benches next to this place.Listed in: Toronto Eats
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Review from Christine D.
4/4/2011
One of the biggest letdowns on the food scene.
What the hell is going on with people? How is it that a couple pieces of ham in between bread has gained a reputation as a sandwich to die for? What are all your tongues coated with? This is just salty and dry, not to mention boring. I have no idea what the fuss is about. Ya'll need to go eat a real sandwich. I'll make one for you.Listed in: Toronto in brief, So incompetent it's almost…
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Review from Melanie C.
Oakville, ON
8/8/2010
So apparently Carousel Bakery is famous for its peameal bacon sandwich. Even Emeril loves it (or so a sign says). I wasn't in the mood for bacon, but I'm always in the mood for eggplant and zucchini. Throw in some chicken and stuff it all into a large bun and I'm a very happy camper. This oversized sandwich cost me $5.50 and my hunger was satisfied for hours (approximately 6 or 7).
I would have appreciated the sandwich more if heat was added or if it was prepared fresh upon ordering. This one happened to be already made, wrapped up, just sitting there asking me to buy it. It was still incredibly fresh so it was probably made only moments earlier.
There are also hot sandwich options like the obvious peameal bacon or veal. There were lots of people behind the counter helping customers so we didn't have to wait long for our food, even during peak lunch hours. -
Review from susan c.
1/19/2010 2 photos
I love certain things about Canada: universal healthcare, Sidney Crosby, poutine, and Caesars. Is it awful if I admit that peameal bacon is not on the list?
This was my first taste of the unsmoked back bacon, and while I liked the soft Carousel bun it came on, if I were going to have a bacon sandwich, I'd rather have a BLT with crispy, smoked streaky bacon made from pork belly.
I'm sorry! Please don't exile me back to the States.
Peameal bacon sandwich = $5.30 + double-digit Canadian taxes -
Review from Shari M.
Toronto, ON
2/6/2010
I fucking love the St. Lawrence Market, like fucking love it. If I could marry the St. Lawrence Market, I would.
Carousel Bakery hands down has the best peameal on a bun you can get. They don't use the meat from a sad sick piggy. They use the meat of a happy, well fed, clam and coolio piggy. You can taste the difference. Go down the hall a bit north to the "other" peameal bacon shop and do a taste test. I dare you.
The meat doesn't even need ketchup. And from a ketchup fan (yes, sad but true) this is a huge compliment. This is the way meat was meant to be - tender and flavourful.
The super soft bun the meat is served on is so good. You just want to stand up and hug someone and offer them a bite of your sandwich.
Go to the St. Lawrence Market early next Sat (say 7 or 8 am) and try this puppy out, if you haven't done so already. Better yet, give me a shout, and I will join you. -
Review from Keith B.
11/11/2009 1 photo
I usually visit the St. Lawrence market on Saturday's to pick up produce, and end up wandering around looking for tasty/interesting things to make over the weekend.
This particular weekend I was quite hung over and abandoned by quest to decided to indulge in Carousel's breakfast sandwich. For just over $5 you get quite a lot of food .. lots of friend egg, processed cheese and of course loads of peameal bacon. This was absolutely delicious and totally hit the spot. The line was incredibly quick moving and the moment this thing hit my stomach I felt better.
I'll definitely be back here this Saturday - a great snack while wandering the market, or for me, now a destination in itself! -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
11/10/2008
Forget about that peameal bacon sandwich. It's good, but line-ups for food always leave a foul taste in my mouth. I'm part of the instant gratification generation, after all, and I want to be standing waiting for food when the food can wait for me.
Instead, turn to your left, to the little case on the right, where post-lunch treats are there for the taking. You wouldn't know it if I didn't tell you, but Carousel has one of the THE BEST CHOCOLATE CROISSANTS ever known to man... or at least this reviewer here.
The croissant is flaky on the outside, and soft, buttery, and oh-my-gad on the inside. The best part, however, is it's not only filled with chocolate spread, but also a few dark chocolate medallions that compliment the buttery pastry and add an incredible surprise to the seemingly typical dessert.
I highly recommend getting this on the weekend, though, when it's guaranteed fresh.Listed in: Giving in to the sweet tooth
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Review from Jonathan W.
Calgary, AB
8/25/2009
These sandwiches are tasty but best ever? Perhaps a bit of Toronto blasphemy. You have a few options, peameal bacon, breakfast sandwich (egg peameal bacon and cheese), chicken and veal parmigiana sandwiches.
Overall, the best one was the breakfast sandwich. The slightly crusty and the soft bun takes it up a notch. Best ever? Can't really agree. I like a bit of runny egg and cheese to balance off the hefty peameal bacon. A good choice when you're cruising the market though. Try it once in awhile. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
5/14/2010
Perhaps you're familiar with this scenario: it's Friday, lunchtime, your stomach is growling and your hangover won't subside. You need hearty food that will give you enough fuel to last through to the end of the work day. A place to go is Carousel Bakery where their menu items are delicious and easy on your wallet.
Line-ups are inevitable but you only have to wait a bit. My order and transaction lasted for a minute, and soon I was sinking my teeth into a chicken parmagiana sandwich ($5.60) with mozzarella cheese, sweet peppers and tomato sauce on a fresh bun. It may be breaded chicken, so not the most healthy of choices but it makes me feel tired as eating breaded food normally does. If it's the summer, try to enjoy your meal outside, on one of the benches - just don't drop any morsel otherwise you'll be surrounded by pigeons who know a good sandwich when they see one.Listed in: Frugal Eats in the Money…
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Review from Ryna D.
5/12/2011
I tried this place because the peameal bacon sandwich is supposed to be a big deal but I have to say it wasn't all that. The bread is fresh but not particularly amazing. The meat was plenty so it was filling but it was too salty and just too much.
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Review from Justin S.
3/13/2010
Being the snob that I am, I bought the Wallpaper Toronto City Guide to see what hip-and-edgy attractions I should visit while I was there. In the "24 Hours" section, they recommended that a tourist should start their day at Saint Lawrence Market for a peameal bacon sandwich from Carousel Bakery. First of all, I was like "what the hell is peameal bacon?" and then I Googled it... So yes, I see why they recommend it.
Saint Lawrence Market is a great place to start the day and allows you to enjoy local Toronto cheeses, coffee, meat and baked goods. The Carousel Bakery just makes it better. We had the "breakfast on a bun" sandwich, which was egg, cheese, and peameal bacon on a Kaiser roll (at least that's what we called them in NYC), and it was delicious. It was only after purchasing the sandwich, that I noticed all the other amazing baked goods they have including sweets, breads, etc. Now I must go back! Carousel Bakery is a great place for a quick, inexpensive and unique breakfast (or lunch). -
Review from Heather B.
Scarborough, ON
7/9/2009
All I have to say is :
Peameal bacon on a bun
that's it! :) -
Review from Princess M.
3/12/2010 2 photos
There can be nothing bad about this sandwich, except for the fact that it doesn't have enough of that juicy peameal bacon.
Don't be intimidated if there is a line, it moves really quickly and you can order from any of the many people manning the rather long counter.
Just go with the breakfast on a bun. Fried egg, a few slices of fried, briny peameal bacon and a slice of american cheddar. OH SO GOOD!!!! I also love that they give you a wide selection of complimentary condiments to go with your sandwich - siracha chili sauce, mayonaise, 3 types of mustard etc.
Simply wonderful. Walk around St Lawrence Market before and after this! -
Review from TJ K.
11/6/2010
I've been to Toronto many times and every visit I must get a peameal bacon sandwich from the Carousel Bakery. It's awesome! This visit was no different and if it were in the Bay Area, I'd be there a lot!
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Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 5/8/2010
butter croissant.
my second favourite in the city.
(first is Brassai's)Listed in: Croissants: Lard always makes…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/27/2009
jeeGADS, you are tasty.
so much beautiful bread, delicious pastries and all displayed in wonderful… Read more »
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Review from Jessie M.
7/1/2010
Anything with a fried egg is good-- so I wasn't surprised that I liked their peameal bacon sandwich. But it just didn't change my life like all the publicity states it will. I think if that peameal had been straight up pork belly, this review would be different. But whatever, it was my first time trying and hearing the words, pea meal bacon. I mean, what the hell is it? What a gross name. It's good though and you may as well stop and try the so called "world famous sandwich". Ooo it would have been extra good with some hot sauce. Yum.
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Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
9/26/2008
In it's early days Toronto was known as hog town, this was because of the large number of pork processing plants in the city, the plants are gone and for the most part so is the moniker but one thing that has stayed is the tradition of the back bacon sandwich (Canadian Bacon to our friends to the south). This is a delicacy that I rarely enjoy, but I do indulge from time to time, which is why when I saw that Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market claimed to have the best back bacon sandwich in the world I had to have one. I don't know if it was the best back bacon sandwich in the world but it was pretty darn good. For the uninitiated a back bacon sandwich is about as simple as a sandwich can get, it is a bun with two slices of fried back bacon in between. With only two ingredients they both have to be good quality and that is exactly what you get at Carousel Bakery. The bun was soft and fresh and the bacon was salty, meaty and hot, which is all you can ask of a good piece of meat. I would definitely recommend Carousel bakery to anyone looking for a true Toronto delicacy.
Like the review? Check out the link to my blog on my profile. -
Review from Terry P.
5/22/2010
Stopped by today for one of the peameal bacon sandwiches that I've heard so much about. The service was quick as the sandwiches were pre-made (they seem to sell enough volume though that they were still hot and fresh). The sandwich itself was very simple - just the bacon (lots of it) on a bun. I was not offered any condiments and am not sure if there are any available. The sandwich was tasty but I wouldn't say there was anything amazing about it. Perhaps I'll try the breakfast on a bun next time.
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Review from A M.
6/30/2009
The best Peameal Bacon Sammie ever! Put some spicy mustard on that baby and it'll rock your world!!!
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Review from Sean M.
Winnipeg, MB
6/9/2010
Best bacon sandwich in the city. Do it. I've been eating them since i was a kid.
