With the stay-at-home days blurring together for most of us, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that today is Shrove Tuesday. Although New Orleans’ legendary Mardi Gras festival commemorating the occasion is cancelled this year, you can still get a taste of the Big Easy today by getting your hands on the city’s signature sandwich: the po’boy. These are Toronto’s best po’boys.
Fresco’s Fish and Chips
View this post on Instagram
Cute Kensington Market fish and chips shop Fresco’s Fish and Chips is old-fashioned in its approach to classic fried fish, which features a traditional batter made with wheat and yellow corn flour, but forward-thinking in its approach to sustainability. The menu features Ocean Wise or Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood, while orders are wrapped up in biodegradable takeout packaging. Po’Boys come in shrimp, cod, crab and halibut varieties, all served on toasted ciabatta bread with cheese, chipotle mayo and coleslaw.
Rodney’s Oyster House
View this post on Instagram
Seafood spot Rodney’s Oyster House has been a King West staple for more than three decades. Their oyster po’boy sees fried oysters layered with pickles, shredded lettuce, tomato and oyster aioli. The sandwich comes with a simple house salad, but we recommend adding on an order of their house-made beer-battered onion rings to really get yourself into the indulgent, Mardi Gras spirit.
Buster’s Sea Cove
View this post on Instagram
Popular Toronto seafood purveyor Buster’s Sea Cove offers a trio of po’boy options. Sandwiches are served on fresh focaccia bread with a side of coleslaw and customers can choose between deep-fried shrimp, oyster or calamari for the filling. For an extra $3, you can make it a meal by adding fries, rice or salad.
Illstyl3 Sammies
View this post on Instagram
This grab-and-go sandwich shop may be best known for its Philly cheesesteaks, but they also do a mean catfish po’boy. Cornmeal-crusted catfish is deep-fried and nestled in a soft baguette, along with lettuce, tomato, pickles, hot peppers and garlic aioli.