In case you haven’t noticed, sandwiches are currently very much on trend. Whether it’s some kind of economic indicator or just a yearning for something familiar and wholesome, a simple meal of meat, cheese, or other fillings wedged between two pieces of bread is what people are looking for these days. And when you are hankering for a particularly formidable lunch, the Italian sandwich is king.
Calgary has a long history with Italian-style sandwiches, but there are also some up-and-coming sandwich artists adding new perspectives to the mix. Whether you’re looking for an old-school Italian hoagie or a more contemporary flatbread sandwich, these are some good places to start should you be looking for the perfect blend of Italian ingredients and flavours:
Fenoma Kitchen’s Mortadella 2.0, Chef’s Choice, and Parma Queen sandwiches. Brent Calver/Postmedia
Fenoma Kitchen
Roman Koval grew up in Ukraine and started his career as a chef in Poland before moving his family to Calgary a few years ago. Koval’s relative proximity to Italy as a youth helped him develop a deep love for premium Italian ingredients, which he uses to build his sandwiches, sold through his new Fenoma Kitchen sandwich shop.
Fenoma Kitchen proprietor Roman Koval cuts fresh schiacciata bread for his decadent Italian sandwiches. Brent Calver/Postmedia
As a new startup, Fenoma is currently operating out of a communal commercial kitchen and is only available for pick-up and delivery. While Koval plans to turn it into a brick-and-mortar restaurant soon, for now it’s worth giving up the comforts of a proper storefront to experience his creations. Koval makes his own double-baked schiacciata bread (a thinner and crisper Tuscan cousin of focaccia) every morning and sources burrata, Parmesan and prosciutto — which he lovingly slices to order — from Italy. House-made pestos, spreads and fresh local veggies and herbs bring each sandwich to an optimal level of tastiness.
#10, 1420 40th Ave N.E. (for pre-order pick-up and delivery only), 587-897-0448, fenomarestaurants.square.site
Scozzafava’s Deli, which specializes in Italian-themed subs, is located on 17th Avenue S.W. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
Scozzafava Deli
When Nick Scozzafava’s sandwich shop opened on 17th Avenue a little over a year ago, the lines to get his giant sub-style sandwiches stretched down the block. The intensity of the demand has calmed down, but Scozzafava’s Deli remains incredibly popular thanks to a hip vibe and outrageously delicious sandwiches, all encased in soft, tightly rolled, sesame-coated buns. While the cold cut selections are all great, the hot sandwiches, including a perfectly saucy chicken parm, are unparalleled. There are vegetarian options available in both categories.
Scozzafava’s has also turned into a bit of a nighttime hotspot, with a nice selection of drinks. The deli also regularly hosts evening events, including DJ nights and pop-up collaborations with guest chefs and bartenders.
1004 17th Ave. S.W., 403-454-3354, scozzafavasdeli.com
Mercato
The market side of Mercato in Mission has quietly been making fantastic Italian sandwiches for years, but in the coming months, they’re switching their sub-style buns for flatter focaccia and ciabatta sandwiches to give Calgarians a taste of the flatbread trends coming out of Europe. For now, you can still get the house-marinated roast beef and red pepper Manzo and roast turkey breast and hot chicken parm and meatball sandwiches on the original bread but, in January, the breads will switch up. The market will also introduce a delectable mortadella with whipped ricotta and hot honey sandwich and fresh tomato and fior di latte caprese sandwiches.
2224 4th St. S.W., 403-263-5535, mercatogourmet.com
Spolumbo’s
A Calgary icon, Spolumbo’s is probably best-known for its cook-at-home sausages, but its Inglewood deli also makes a mean sandwich. There’s a lot to choose from, with Italian cold cut sandwiches served on Vienna buns with vegetable spread, provolone cheese and seasoned olive oil, as well as hot paninis. Of course, the sausage on a bun is the Spolumbo’s classic, but it’s awfully hard to resist the cutlet parmigiana.
1308 9th Ave. S.E., 403-264-6452, spolumbos.com
Peppino has a number of locations in the city to satisfy your Italian sammy desires. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
Peppino
Another longstanding Calgary favourite, Peppino’s sandwiches aren’t fancy, but they certainly satisfy. The selection of sandwiches is massive — you can choose the “surprise” option if you truly can’t choose from the over 40 combinations — but if you’re looking for a hefty roll full of anything from turkey and artichokes to a feast of several kinds of salami, meatballs, and hot peppers, any one of Peppino’s locations will give you exactly what you’re looking for.
Multiple locations, peppinogourmet.com
One of the baguette sandwiches at Bonjour Sandwich Shop in the Marda Loop neighbourhood. Brent Calver/Postmedia
Bonjour Sandwich
This Marda Loop shop is known for its French baguette sandwiches, but half of its menu comprises Italian-style sandwiches served on fresh schiacciata. The most popular Italian selection is the Mama Mia, stacked with porchetta, gorgonzola cream, roasted eggplant, and honey.
#101, 1909 34th Ave. S.W., 403-816-6969, bonjour-sandwich-shop.square.site
Pizzaface
Pizzaface is, obviously, best known for its over-the-top pizzas, but the pizzeria also offers a few non-pizza items, including two very substantial Italian sandwiches. Drop in for an impressive meatball sandwich filled with the restaurant’s signature beef and veal meatballs, or the “Dirty Mando” with ham, tomato, gruyere cheese and a tasty basil mayo, both served on a toasted bun.
#3, 1103 17th Ave. S.W., 403-300-2022, therealpizzaface.com
Elizabeth Chorney-Booth can be reached at elizabooth@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @elizabooth or sign up for her newsletter at hungrycalgary.substack.com.
Dining and Cooking