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Say Cheese
Categories: Restaurants Canadian (New) Restaurants Sandwiches Canadian (New), Sandwiches [Edit]
337 Bloor Street WestToronto, ON M5S 1W7
Neighbourhoods: The Annex, University of Toronto, Downtown Core
(416) 258-1938
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
Howard H. said: "In Toronto, this is the place for smoked meat. Full stop. I am a true connesueur of all things deli - Katz's in SoHo to (the late lamented) Wolfies/Rascal House in Miami, From Schwartz's to Corky &Lenny's in the land of Cleve all…" read more »
4 reviews for Say Cheese
4 reviews in English
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Review from Jane M.
2/22/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I was determined to get the FTR here. DETERMINED. Sadly, I missed out just by the skin of my teeth. I was pipped to the finish by a no-avatar review site! Boo!
Anyway! Say Cheese is on the site of my old favourite yoghurt shop, Mon Berrie. Gone are the frozen yoghurt, crepes, coffee, and bubble tea. Instead, the owner (and it is the same owner -- I recognise him!) has decided to take things in a completely new direction. Judging by the number of people that have been there both times I was there, this is a good move. I don't remember ever being in Mon Berrie and there being customers besides me/my group. The first day at Say Cheese, there were three tables and a couple of take out orders. Not jam packed, but definitely an improvement on the Mon Berrie ghost town.
The Sandwiches here are sandwiches with a capital 'S.' I had the garden vegetable, which is roasted red peppers pulverized until they resemble juicy, juicy tomatoes, grilled zucchini, brie and goats cheese. Simple but oh so delicious. Seriously, I would give up meat if I could just eat this sammich all day long.
Still, vegetables and brie might not be everyone's bag, and for those that want something a little more ... comforting, Say Cheese has a few options. My favourite? Pulled pork with mac and cheese, IN A SANDWICH. It's definitely carbocide (I only tried it because someone else ordered it, okay!) but it is so, so tasty. The sauce is a little strong so know that you're not going to come out of this with a sandwich that tastes independently of cheesy pasta and pulled pork. Think of it more as a BBQ mac and cheese with pulled pork sandwich. Definitely a lot of mingling with the flavours for this one.
It's not super expensive (six something, if I remember right), but there was a deal on when we went called the 420. I think anytime between 16:20 and 16:50 and you get your sandwich and a drink for $4.20. This would have been AWESOME had we not arrived there at 2pm (and were too hungry to walk back to work and come back at half four) but I will definitely keep it in mind for the next visit.
The staff here are nice, just in case that kind of thing is a make or break for you. Chatty and friendly. They even remembered my order when I went back two weeks later and couldn't remember what I had had! Service!
As an aside, in case you yoghurt fans were wondering, they are thinking of bringing back the yoghurt (they still have the machines) because people keep asking if they still serve it. The chick I talked to said it was something they were considering because there had been some interest. When I asked if that might be more of a summer thing, she said, yeah, there isn't a LOT of interest right now (still a notable amount) but they expect that the hot weather might be a good time for bringing it back... We shall see! -
Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
If you don't like grilled cheese, then I'm pretty sure we can't be friends. (Well, maybe we can, but I might be really wary of you and give you a lot of side-eye.) So when three of my school chums and I heard that a new grilled cheese joint opened up just a stone's throw away from our building, we pretty much dropped everything and headed on over -- because the only thing better than a grilled cheese sandwich is bonding over a mutual love of cheese-on-bread with friends who can share the love.
My Italian Classic was delicious: bufala mozzarella, tomato, and basil on toasty pressed brown bread. Sandwiches come with either chips or a salad, the latter of which consists of mixed greens lightly dressed with vinaigrette. What I particularly enjoyed, however, was the side of macaroni and cheese I decided to add to my order at the last minute. See, there's only one more thing I love more than grilled cheese -- and that's macaroni and cheese. And Say Cheese definitely struck a chord with my cheese-loving (and possibly arterially-clogged) heart. What they serve up isn't fancy -- it's the simple stovetop mac I'd make at home - and it was quite good. I'm definitely going back tomorrow for more.
One caveat, though -- the sandwiches are made to order, which means that the food takes a little longer to come out than at your typical grab n' go. But it's pretty well worth the wait, and fairly inexpensive, too, relative to the prices of food in the surrounding area.
Say Cheese occupies the spot where Mon Berri frozen yogurt shop used to be, and the owner of Mon Berri is actually a partner in this new venture. The guys that work there are really nice, and I hope this new cafe works out far better than the frozen yogurt.
They offer a special starting at 4:20 and goes until 4:50; a sandwich and side costs $4.20. I'd say more, but I'm pretty sure that speaks for itself. ;) -
Review from Steven Y.
Toronto, ON
3/12/2012
Have come here 3 times already in the past 2 or 3 weeks, the pulled pork sandwich is truly amazing, and the side salad or potato chips is a nice addition. The salad is a nice little baby green thing with oil/vinegar and the chips are thin rippled chips that are better than Lays/Ruffles. They also carry glass bottled cokes, which are a bit expensive at $2 for 355mL but I really like the glass. You don't get it every day.
Getting take-out also works out very well, the salad comes in a styrofoam thing while the sandwich is in a thermal foil wrap, so everything was still perfect a half hour later when I got to eat it.
Despite the amazing sandwiches, it costs a bit more than I would like to pay. The entire meal is very well done but you would probably need two to feel a bit full. The $6.50 regular price is a bit much, but if you can get it during the $4.20 deal or order one of the specials on the blackboard right beside the door which are $5 or $5.50, it'll mitigate your bill.
I've seen them play Happy Gilmour and The Matrix on their TV which I liked. Nostalgia-inducing.
The first time I went with a friend, they completely forgot his order until he went up to remind them about it, and made us late for class, so that coupled with the highish price makes me dock a star :( -
Review from TOFoodReviews n.
Toronto, ON
2/8/2012
Once upon a time I was a university student. Without giving you an exact number of how many years it's been, I will tell you that Gap wanted everyone in khakis, pagers weren't quite obsolete, and Mambo #5 was tearing up the charts. So thankfully a lot has changed, but two things remain, and will always remain the same, about student life. Number one: students are broke. Number two: they are hungry. Say Cheese is going to make many U of T students very happy.
I haven't met a grilled cheese sandwich I didn't like, and I haven't met anyone that doesn't like a grilled cheese sandwich. That might be why so many gourmet grilled cheese places are popping up these days, but it's a risky business. The people have spoken and they want grilled cheese sammies...but they don't want to pay a lot for them. After all, you can make a perfectly good one at home with white bread, and cheese that's more plastic than it is dairy. And that's where Say Cheese comes in. Nigel Koo, part owner and operator wants to satisfy stomachs without putting a dent in wallets. He doesn't see why he can't serve up a high quality sandwich at a low(ish) cost and have customers walking out in a lactose induced ecstasy.
It was quiet when I arrived but word wasn't really out yet, and the boys were still experimenting in their test kitchen. I was happy to be a guinea pig. I asked to try their most popular meat and veggie options, and this is what followed.
I started with Indira's Pulled Pork made with Beemster. Diners can choose to have regular cheese, such as cheddar, on their sandwich ($6.50) or upgrade to a premium choice ($8.50). My creation came topped with homemade mac & cheese (fun!) on whole wheat bread. I only ate half as I had more coming my way, but the sandwiches here are generous, and I had to pace myself. The different textures paired nicely, but I would have liked it more had the meat been a touch saucier, or came with something in which to dip it.
Next, came the Italian Classic. Not that I'm taking bets, but if you put Buffalo mozzarella on anything, I will eat it. So I was pleased when they said one of their best meatless sellers was filled with the stuff. I like a good Margharita pizza, and this was the sandwich version.
As if that wasn't enough (and by all dietary standards, it was more than that) I was offered their dessert sandwich. It didn't take a lot of prodding, and went something like this;
Nigel: You should try our dessert option.
Me: Wow, I don't know. I'm really stuffed. Okay.
The French Grilled Toast is like a ménage a trois between a grilled cheese, some French toast, and a piece of cheesecake. It's good. Scary good. Filled with ricotta, mascarpone and a berry compote, the sandwich is then dusted with turbinado sugar, and drizzled with maple syrup. As with French toast, this needed to be eaten with a knife and fork, which probably worked in my best interest as it stopped me from inhaling it. I will be going back for this one. As it is now, I think about it more than anyone should think about a sandwich.
So in total I ended up eating just a little bit more than a full sandwich thanks to the few bites I had of the French toast, and I was beyond full. So much so, that I actually skipped dinner that night. Now by my calculations, that equals two meals for the price of one, and a low price at that. This bodes well for hungry students up to their necks in debt.
Footnote: During the week, for a mere thirty minutes between 4:20 and 4:50 you can get yourself a sandwich and side (including soup, salad and possible ramen...) for just $4.20.
