Restaurant Review: Rose's Vietnamese Sandwiches

ROSE'S VIETNAMESE SANDWICHES

601 Gerrard Street East Co-Diner: Tim Golem

This is certainly not the first time that I've talked about bánh mì sandwiches in this blog, the collab between Vietnamese and French cuisine that dates back to the 1950s. This is when the French introduced baguettes to Vietnam and a delicious sando was born. These days, you can find all sorts of riffs on the bánh mì, using every sort of ingredient imaginable. But for me, the classic version is still the very best. I love the way that the French elements like pâté, mayonnaise, and baguette mix with the Vietnamese flavours, creating something unique and all its own. When I heard that Rose's was listed at #14 on Toronto Life's Toronto’s 25 Best Sandwiches Right Now 2019 list, I had to try them. On a list of 25 sandwiches this is the only bánh mì named... So it's gotta be something special. Located in Toronto's East Chinatown (there are several Chinatowns in the city) Rose's is a small sandwich shop that also doubles as a bit of a convenience store. The counters are completely spilling over with food items for purchase, be it of the housemade variety or simply pre-packaged items (all imported). I visited on a Sunday evening and hardly knew what to expect. First of all, their hours should be noted. This is not a late-night kind of place and they are closed by 8pm on most nights. Secondly, they accept cash only, so be prepared. And thirdly, there is no seating whatsoever (which disappointed me a bit as I would have much preferred to eat in their shop). As long as you're aware of this information you'll be fine. The decor is minimal but there is some in the form of a few red paper lanterns hanging around. However for the most part you'll be looking at the rows of jarred items, boxed treats, and a refrigeration section full of Asian beverages. The sandwich counter itself is enticing because all of the ingredients really do look fresh and delicious. There were two women working (I can only hope that one of them was Rose) and their disposition was positively lovely and friendly (not necessarily the norm in my experience). I loved looking through the large beverage selection in the fridge, trying to decide on the most interesting bottle or can to select. In the end, it was finally time for pennywort and I to have our day and I grabbed a can of FOCO Pennywort Drink.

This brand is from Thailand and they make a wide variety of canned juices that can often be found in Asian restaurants or grocery stores. Pennywort is an herbaceous plant that can be made into a green juice of sorts. I'd never tried it before! Pleasantly surprised, I found this mild juice to be sweet and verdant. Kinda like drinking plants! Certainly nothing offensive about it at all. I was obviously going to order a bánh mì (that was the easy part) but what I found challenging was figuring out what else to get. There are housemade packaged items literally everywhere. Rice dishes, banana leaf-wrapped things, dessert items, and lots more. In the interest of trying something else, I essentially closed my eyes and grabbed at something (anything), which ended up being a tray of Gỏi Cuốn.

Vietnamese fresh spring rolls are wrapped in a bánh tráng, or rice paper, and are served at room temperature. I liked that there were two different types of rolls offered and two dipping sauces. Biting into the shrimp roll first, I was delighted to be met with a bright burst of fresh mint. I also appreciated the roll's size and that they weren't fall-apart giant, like others that I have eaten. The second roll was filled with fried tofu that had a sweet taste to it. I thoroughly enjoyed both dipping sauces, one more peanut-based and the other more chili-based. In the past I would have said that I didn't like fresh rolls very much, however these ones were likely the best that I've ever tried. As for the bánh mì, while they offer ten different sandwiches on the menu, my choice was simple. Always the Thập Cẩm ($3.00), which is the classic.

Regular assorted meats.

The aroma of this sandwich was incredibly delightful and I couldn't wait to dig in. Made up of different types of deli-style meat, pâté, mayonnaise and topped with cucumber, pickled carrots, pickled daikon and cilantro, mine also included jalapeño peppers for an added spicy punch (and punch they did!). The baguette is incredibly important and needs to be of good quality (and definitely not stale). The oblong bread at Rose's was very nice, with a crusty outside and soft, chewy inside. As for the deli meats, there were at least 3-4 different types used and I have absolutely no idea what each of them was. What I do know is that the meats at Rose's seemed to be of a much higher quality than I think I have ever experienced at any other bánh mì shop. Savoury and salty, all of the sandwich's richness is perfectly balanced by adding the acidity from the pickled carrots and daikon. This was an excellent example of how a bánh mì should be done. I really think that I have to say that this is the best classic-style bánh mì sandwich that I have ever tasted. And for $3?? I mean, you're not gonna find a better deal in town. Cue the cravings.