Comments on: Subway Toronto Has No Canadian Bacon

By: paul

paul — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:18:40 +0000

I would like to know how come you guys advertise footlong steak sub for $5.oo on television Iorder a steak sub this morning I was charged $12.00 that is false advertisement far as I concerned thanks.

By: NJam101

NJam101 — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:03:02 +0000

Back bacon is not widely available across Canada. I live in Timmins, Ontario and only see it on occasion at certain grocery stores. It is not something that is a big seller when available. I’ve never heard of anybody buying it here. I looked for it in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec at many stores and couldn’t find it. One thing I learned is that it is not eaten by French-Canadians. Timmins is 45% francophone and most anglophones are not mainly of British ancestry. It seems to be popular in Southern Ontario and with people from mainly British background.

I’m wondering: It is popular and widely available in Atlantic Canada? Western Canada?

Southern Ontario including Toronto is closer to large American cities so it makes sense that many Americans found out about it and somehow believed that this “bacon” represented our whole country.

By: Chris S.

Chris S. — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:37:07 +0000

What is Canadian bacon?

Canadian bacon is back bacon, known as “Peameal Bacon” in Canada and was unique to Canada until now. Real Canadian bacon is made from main muscle boneless pork loins, short cut from the leaner portion of the loin to give a more uniform product. External fat is trimmed to within 1/8″. It is then sweet pickle cured and rolled in the traditional golden cornmeal coating, giving it the Real Canadian bacon peameal trademark. This is not “Canadian-style” bacon and is vastly different from what is commonly found in the United States. The term “peameal” comes from the ground yellow peas with which the bacon was originally coated. This ensured better curing and shelf life and avoided bacterial problems. Over the years this tradition was changed to cornmeal, due to the availability of corn.

Why is Canadian bacon so famous?

Around the turn of the last century or as they say “during the war years”, England had a pork shortage. They imported “side bacon” from Canada, smoked it and termed it “Wiltshire Sides” in England. Due to this event Canadian bacon was made famous. Over time the United States believed that Canadian bacon was smoked back bacon although true Canadian bacon is not smoked.

By: Nakataq

Nakataq — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:33:17 +0000

More props out to Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market, The Peameal in a Bun is worth the wait at the crazy line-ups on Saturday morning. It’s even better with egg.

For our visitors from the U.S. seeking “Canadian” Bacon. Most diners, greasy spoon, and family restaurants will offer it on their breakfast menus. Just remember to ask for “Back” or “Peameal” bacon. Not very common at any U.S. based chain restaurant up here, Subway included.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:22:32 +0000

I’m with Robert. Go to Carousel Bakery in the St. Lawrence Market. It’s located at Front and Jarvis Streets. It’s not open on Monday and it closes before 5 p.m. so go for lunch. You’re looking for a “peameal” bacon sandwhich which is back bacon with a crust of peameal — I assume to suck out the fat. It’s an awesome sandwich.

Just for trivia, one of Toronto’s nick names is “Hogtown.” It used to be a big center for slaughtering pigs.

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:34:29 +0000

Yes Hamilton has it’s fair share of great Sub shops. In particular Queen Subs at Queen and main…..AWESOME. Support the Independents.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:12:15 +0000

Here in Canada, what you call “regular bacon” is side bacon, and, as so many have pointed out, “Canadian Bacon” is back bacon. Most chains like Subway don’t have much choice in their ingredients, as they have to order what Head Office specifies, with cost probably being the main factor.
You’d probably have to shop around to find a smaller, local chain or an independent shop that serves back bacon on their sandwiches. Next time, visit Hamilton (35 miles west of Toronto) and check out some of our sub shops and delis. You might be pleasantly surprised.

By: lou

lou — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:41:36 +0000

Canadian bacon is called back bacon. It is very expensive and it is more like ham. It is really not a Toronto thing as it is widely available all over canada if you call it back bacon.

By: compass

compass — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:16:50 +0000

I think the problem stems from the Americans’ habit of making fun of Canadians. Just look at South Park and you’ll realize that Americans really do enjoy making fun of our regular-bacon-eater neighbors. In England, it’s just a muffin. Here, it’s on the menu at McDonald’s with a scottish sounding twist, but it’s an “english” muffin. In France, they’ve got “les frites.” Of course, now we have to call them Freedom Fries, which is just stupid. Go to Philadelphia and ask for a Philly cheese steak. They’ll ask you if there’s any other kind and laugh at you. So while you guys eat bacon and ham, we like to think your idea of bacon MUST be screwy somehow. I’m not saying it’s right, but America likes to insult Canadians. If it makes you feel any better, you could call bacon “American Ham.” Man, that sounds dumb. Never mind.

By: Sc0urg3

Sc0urg3 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:24:21 +0000

I agree with NJam101. I’m from Quebec, and I had no idea what Canadian bacon was. Isn’t it just regular smoked ham? I really have no idea. To me, and everybody else I know, bacon is bacon, and bacon is delicious.