The best spicy sausages from Toronto butcher shops

Chefs pick T.O.’s best backyard barbecue

In our ultimate guide to throwing the most delicious backyard barbecue, we asked five chefs to grill popular barbecue items at home. Here chef Ivana Raca, from Ufficio restaurant, grills up spicy Italian sausages and chicken sausages from five different local butcher shops. When it came to picking the best, Raca says this Rosedale butcher was the clear winner.

Winner: Olliffe

“Their Italian flavour was incredible. The taste, execution and spice were well balanced,” says chef Ivana Raca. “The chicken and green onion was 10 out of 10.” 1097 Yonge St., $5.52 and up

Runner-up: Bespoke Butchers

“Their casing was excellent. The only thing was it was too overpowering on the spice,” she says. The seasoning on the chicken one was good.” 215 Madison Ave., $10/lb.

The Butcher's Son

“These sausages were the thickest ones and I loved the fennel but wish it was crushed,” says Raca. “The flavour was good and so was the casing.” 2055 Yonge St., $12-$14/four pack

The Friendly Butcher

“Their casing was a 10, very nice and very firm,” she says. “It was good flavour, the seasoning was there, but it was a bit dry.” 3269 Yonge St., $8.99-$9.99/lb.

Roast Fine Foods

“The seasoning and the spice were great,” says Raca. “But the flavours of the sausages weren’t distinct enough.” 768 St. Clair Ave. W., $16.50/four pack