1779 Danforth Avenue
Since my birthday bash I have been in bed recovering! That’s how good a party it was. Even on my birthday I was in bed for most of the day resting so yesterday I had to get outside. It was slushy as an urban hell landscape can get but it was raining and above zero. I was going outside!
The Restaurant
Last fall there was a ton of excitement when a Dunn’s Famous Express came to 1779 Danforth Avenue. Even faster than that was the controversy. Was it really a Dunn’s?
After a while I got drama fatigue watching people argue about it online and reading about rumours of family politics.
Screw it. I decided I would go for myself and check it out and focus solely on one thing: FOOD!
As a belated gift to myself I went out for lunch walking through deep puddles of ice, snow and rain.
As soon as I walked in the door there was a wonderful warmth to the place.
I walked to the back to order my lunch and was greeted by the nicest server ever! She helped walk me through the two most popular combos: the jumbo smoked meat and Reuben platters.
The Reuben sounded heavenly in particular, complete with melted Swiss cheese, but I was there to check out the controversial smoked meat sandwich. I ordered Combo #1 but upgraded my fries to onion rings.
I grabbed my pop and took a seat at the front of the restaurant so I could get the most out of the depressingly dark day’s natural light.
The Food
Wow!!! Yes, the online comments about the sandwich are correct, the meat is thicker cut than the sandwich I had in Vancouver by a lot but, is that a bad thing?
The onions were perfectly crispy and melt-in-your-mouth! I did have to add a little salt to them but seriously, they were delicious.
As soon as I picked up the sandwich I was enraptured by the warm soft bread. This is the achilles heel of most smoked meat sandwiches. People do not pay enough attention to the bread!
I could not wait to take a bite and it appears that my request for less fatty meat was honoured and generosity of mustard was delivered.
D-A-M-N!!! The bread was not only warm but flavourful and yes, the meat was thickly cut but not difficult to bite right through at all. Normally I have to add a ton of mustard to the side but this sandwich had the perfect amount. I added more mustard because hey, that is just me. There can never be too much mustard but there certainly was not a dearth of it at all.
I asked about the bread because I could not contain my excitement about it. I was told that it is heated along with the meat to not only make it warm but to also add flavouring to compliment the sandwich. I say? Home run of an idea! This was the best smoked meat sandwich of my life and I have even more than you can imagine. I grew up on them and never has the bread been so perfect and the mustard so generous without dripping everywhere.
It does not stop there! The pickle is just as important to me as the sandwich. I saved it until last and am so glad I did.
This pickle was so sour I could only eat it in small bites. It continuously brought tears to my eyes and made me the happiest foodie on the planet during one of the crappiest January days in Toronto. There is nothing better than a sour pickle for me and this? This was magic. I was drinking water all night, totally dehydrated by its salt and vinegar magic.
Foodie Conclusion
The only issue for me with Dunn’s Famous Express on Danforth is it is a tad cost prohibitive. Because I upgraded the fries my total was over $22 and for lunch, that is a lot of money.
They do have deals for students and seniors which is great and next time I will try and make it in before 3 pm so I can get the $10.99 lunch special and get that Reuben sandwich I want so badly!
Regarding the drama? What I can disclose is Dunn’s Famous Express on Danforth is now under new management and it appears that they are doing everything right. The customer service was so friendly and helpful, the food was delicious and they do have deals for lower income people. I can not think of one thing wrong with this particular Dunn’s Famous Express other than the meat might be thicker cut than you are used to. I say, who cares? It is delicious!
I give Dunn’s Famous Express on Danforth five out of five wooden spoons and a big welcome-to-the-neighbourhood foodie hug! I WILL be back!
Thanks for the detailed review, Suzie! Can’t wait to try Dunn’s when I’m in TO next. Warm the bread? Seems so simple and logical, but you are right! Most places don’t!
You are most welcome Vicky! Yes, you will have to check it out and that bread… OMG, so good, took this sandwich over the edge. You will love it!
I’ve never been to the original Dunn’s in Montreal but of course I know of its fame! I did eat lunch at the Dunn’s in Ottawa’s Byward Market a few years ago. I seem to recall it was good. I’m sure I probably had a corned beef on rye because I’m not a huge fan of Montreal smoked meat. I agree that the meat in your Toronto Dunn’s sandwich is very, very thickly sliced for what I consider to be a “true” Deli sandwich. The other hallmark of a genuine deli is what you noted about the freshness of the bread. There is no greater sin, in my book, than serving a sliced meat deli sandwich on day-old (or older!) bread.
The best corned beef on rye I’ve ever had was at Oscar’s Deli in Winnipeg. They also serve the best New York cheesecake I’ve ever eaten. The next time I’m in the Peg, I’m going to go see if it’s still open (after all these years) and have those two things for lunch again!
I haven’t been to Dunn’s in Montreal either Debra. I wrote the company and asked about the thickness of the meat and the guy who works there has been doing this kind of work for 10 years! Makes me wonder if the meat is so tender they can’t slice it any thinner because the guy is a pro. Oh I agree, the bread is almost as important as the meat and the pickle. This is where people screw up all the time and warming it like that? Brilliant!
Me too! If I ever get to Winnipeg I will check out Oscar’s Deli, thanks for that! I hope it’s still open. Places like that are true foodie gold.
That is high for lunch for about that, I can get several sacks of good Canada sprouted spelt flour. Which, isn’t a sandwich, I totally get that. But I love that you went there to make up your own mind. You are a rock star for sure.
Well it is a combo and I did upgrade it but yes, not cheap. I had some bday money for a treat and I’m glad I used it there but I can’t go regularly, that’s for sure. Thank you! Yes, there is still so much controversy going on about this place and so I had to check it out for myself.
I’ve eaten at Montreal’s Dunn’s…never had a bad meal..you are right about the onion rings!! Before we cut down our meat consumption, we bought the packaged Dunn’s smoked meat at Metro grocery stores. Nice tip about heating the bread!!
The onion rings were such a pleasant surprise Rain Frances! Oh man, you could buy the meat?! Damn! Yes, heating the bread was genius. I’m going to do that from now on. I usually heat bread no matter what but doing so with the meat? Brilliant!
How can you say that you’re a foodie when you call frozen onion rings “melt in your mouth”? You’re not even thinking about a proper adjective for onion rings… they’re not supposed to melt in your mouth. They should be crispy, savory. You just used any old description because you’re part of this culture where you can bestow the title of foodie on yourself. This is the culture that is holding Toronto food back. Dunn’s on Danforth is atrocious.
this made me smile
Reuben is one of my favor sandwhich and a lot of places serve it with side of thousand island dressing.
Wow, no way Dora! Thousand Island dressing?! I am going to have to try that!
And the location is now closed. Third time, at least as far as I can remember, that Dunn’s has opened a location in Toronto and it’s gone. What is is about this city that doesn’t like Montreal smoked meat?
Sure I can go to Costco in Mississauga to pick up a 6-pack of their smoked meat, or sometimes I’m lucky enough to find a 4-pack at my local Metro but it’s not the same thing.
Yes Rick, it is true, it has been closed a while. Sadly. There was a new breakfast place I think that opened up in its place. I wish I knew! So sad that they didn’t last. They were lovely and the food was great. No, it isn’t the same thing at all, it’s true. I totally regret not going back to try their Reuben sandwich. Such a shame. Thank you for commenting!