Best fried chicken sandwiches on Dundas St. W. in Toronto

From Chica’s Chicken to The Heartbreak Chef, Dundas St. W. boasts some of Toronto’s best fried chicken sandwiches.

A fried chicken sandwich from The Heartbreak Chef — A Dundas St. W. standout since October 2020, The Heartbreak Chef is known for its huge fried chicken sandwiches. (Ramona Leitao)

Toronto is experiencing a fried chicken sandwich renaissance, and it’s not going to end anytime soon.

And for good reason — fried chicken sandwiches don’t have to try too hard to be the beloved meals that they are. As you bite into the crispy, spiced chicken pillowed with fluffy buns, you’re immediately comforted.

While the concept of fried chicken has been around for nearly 1,000 years, with origins in China, the Middle East, and West Africa, the American-style dish we know today goes back to the 18th century. Historians have often credited Scottish immigrants in the U.S. South for its cooking technique (frying chicken in fat). But it’s important to remember the ingredients in the seasoning — still used today — came from then-enslaved African Americans, who went on to make fried chicken a regional staple leading up to Emancipation and beyond.

It wasn’t until the mid 20th century that fried chicken became popular nationally in the U.S., thanks largely to “Colonel” Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. But things didn’t stop there, of course.

KFC’s worldwide expansion in the 1970s paved the way for other chicken chains, such as Bojangles, Popeyes, and Chick-fil-A, which claims to be the first fast food spot to serve fried chicken in sandwich form.

In recent years, Toronto has expanded from popular chains to a plethora of local businesses known for their top-tier fried chicken sandwiches. Here are five spots located on Dundas St. W., each with its own unique atmosphere and take on the classic.

Chica’s Chicken

Address: 2853 Dundas St W

Located in the heart of The Junction, this down-to-earth restaurant is possibly the most popular fried chicken spot in the city. In fact, it was recently mentioned in Toronto’s Michelin Guide.

Chica’s Chicken (named after the owners’ dog, who passed away in 2020) pays homage to spicy Nashville Hot Chicken — but with its own twist. The restaurant uses a different spice blend, boneless chicken, and an extra slice of bread (Texas toast) to make an “OG Sando.”

Besides the OG, Chica’s has other sandwich options, like the “Crispy Buffalo Sando,” the “Jalapeno Popper Sando,” and the “Sweet Heat Sando.” Each costs $12.50.

Chica’s offers their sandwiches and other food options at various heat levels: plain, mild, mild/medium, medium, medium/hot, and “Hot AF,” which consists of both ghost peppers and Carolina reapers.

Expect to listen to 2000s R&B or hip hop as you dine inside or on their outdoor patio.

Hawk and Chick

Address: 1426 Dundas St W

This Little Portugal takeout spot is owned by Joe Kim, a chef who’s worked at a slew of famous Toronto restaurants, including Pinky’s CaPhe, Hanmoto, Grand Electric, Electric Mud BBQ, Momofuku, and Origin.

One of Hawk & Chick’s fried chicken sandwiches, the “Hot Chick Sammie,” might look similar to the American-style ones in terms of presentation. But the sandwich is influenced by Japanese-style fried chicken, otherwise known as karaage.

Kim says he marinates the chicken in chili beef fat, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and Korean spice blends before coating it with batter. He does this to make sure the taste penetrates through the batter and into the meat. Once fried, the chicken’s placed on a brioche bun with pickles and tartar sauce. The sandwich costs $10.99.

Another fried sandwich option is the “Whitefish Katsu Sandwich” for $9.99.

Stefano’s Sandwiches

Address: 1214 Dundas St W

Currently a pop-up at Gia Restaurant, Stefano’s Sandwiches offers plant-based meals, including its fried vegan chicken sandwich that’s listed at $14.00. The plant-based chicken comes from Spain, and the secret spice blend was created by Ziya Tong.

The pop-up, which is owned by Stacey Patterson and Jenny Coburn, opened back in February 2021 and instantly became famous, with Dan Levy calling the vegan sandwiches the best he’s ever had.

While Stefano’s Sandwiches is running on weekends only, its sandwiches will also be sold at GIGI Market, a space next door to Gia, says Coburn. GIGI Market is expected to launch later this year.

The Heartbreak Chef

Address: 823 Dundas St W

Formerly situated in Parkdale, The Heartbreak Chef opened its doors on Dundas West in October 2020.

Chef and owner Jerome Robinson creates fried chicken sandwiches that are known in Toronto for their huge sizes. The Heartbreak Chef’s most popular menu item, the aptly named “Big Ass Chicken Sandwich,” features two large pieces of fried chicken slathered in Carolina-style butter sauce, and bedecked with spicy ranch, pickles, and slaw in between two slices of bread.

There’s also a “Dutty Chicken Sandwich” made with hot jerk sauce and pineapple. Both are priced at $13.00.

Flame & Smoke

Address: 707 Dundas St W

This outdoor food spot is located at Market 707, a place where vendors sell food items out of shipping containers. Owners Skye Prescott and Jessica Neverson create Southern comfort dishes that include their buffalo chicken sandwich. The $10 sandwich includes fried chicken slathered in house-made buffalo sauce, and topped with coleslaw and pickles.

Prescott says they aim to make their food enjoyable without breaking your wallet.

Flame & Smoke takes part in Black Restaurant Week in Toronto, a campaign that highlights Black-owned restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, and more around the city. It’s happening this summer from July 7–16.

All photos by Ramona Leitao. Sandwich icon by Icons8.

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