Born by accident in L.A., the French dip sparked a century-long feud over who dunked it first. Now, as Toronto’s obsession with nostalgic, meat-heavy sandwiches takes hold, chefs Nuit Regular and Anthony Rose bring the battle north, to finally decide who’s got the best dip in town.
Winner: Hy’s Steakhouse
The star of the day: Generous prime rib, perfectly cooked and a bun that handled the jus beautifully. “Nice toasted flavour, good beef, solid sandwich,” said Anthony. Nuit added that the fat content gave the meat a juicy lift. 365 Bay St., Beef Dip Au Jus, $31.95
Runner-Up: Manita
The chefs loved the sweetness of the onions that complemented the beef, though Anthony said the flavour of the meat itself was subtle. The bread impressed — soft and fresh and perfectly balanced. “I could eat this for lunch right now,” Nuit said. 1164 Yonge St., French Beef Dip, $32
Runner-Up: Chop Steakhouse
A more red, medium-rare preparation caught the chefs attention visually. They noted the slow-cooked beef was tender, though the jus was on the lighter side. Anthony liked the simple seasoning, and Nuit appreciated the classic execution. 181 University Ave., Prime Beef Dip, $28
Miller Tavern
Anthony noted a “nice fresh, dry taste,” though he found the bread a little too chewy. Nuit said the meat was small, and even dunked in jus, the sandwich leaned a little too bread-heavy.
3885 Yonge St., North York, Prime Rib Dip, $38
Elephant and Castle
The bread was the softest of the bunch — easy to bite, with just enough give to soak up the jus without falling apart. Nuit appreciated that the jus wasn’t too salty, and Anthony called it “well-balanced, not messy.” 212 King St. W., French Dip, $19
Dave’s Genuine Deli
The classic au jus presentation scored points for simplicity, though both chefs felt the seasoning left something to be desired. The brisket was solid but a touch dry, leaving the bread to soak up most of the flavour. 1763 Avenue Rd., Roast Beef Dip Au Jus, $22
