Toronto is experiencing a crush of new restaurants that focus on one food item, so it was only a matter of time before bacon got its due. Enter Rashers, a new shop set to open in Leslieville next month, which is straight to the point about its concept: “It’s good bacon, on good bread, put together by a good chef,” says co-owner John Clark.
Clark and his business partner Richard Mulley are first-time restaurateurs who want to significantly increase Toronto’s bacon quotient. They’ve secured a first location at 948 Queen St. E. — a six-seat takeout-focused spot — but are already scouting for other locations around the city and hope to eventually open up in the Trinity Bellwoods area and Yonge and Eglinton, amongst other areas.
They’ve enlisted the culinary aid of consulting chef Suzanne Baby (Gallery Grill), who is helping them put together a menu of sandwiches centered around a British style of bacon known as rasher bacon.
The Rashers team is still finalizing its sandwich menu, but the idea is for six to eight core sandwiches that could include a BLT with chili roasted bacon, beer mayo, lettuce and tomato, or a peameal bacon sandwich with Bonnechere cheese, Dijon aioli and a fried egg. Rashers will also do rotating specials as well as a breakfast sandwich. Clark expects the price points for most sandwiches to hover around $7-$8.
Rashers is working with local purveyors such as Perth Pork Products and Beretta Organic Farms for its bacon, and is sourcing all of its bred from Fred’s Bread. The shop also plans to make its own beer-brined bacon, and is looking sell packaged bacon at the shop and, eventually, in grocery stores.
The Leslieville Rashers location is gunning for a mid-September opening.
Rashers, 948 Queen St. E.
