CHOO SANDO

"The sandwiches at Choo Sando are modeled after what you’d find at a konbini in Japan—sliced in half, chilled, and packaged to go. And they’re made on milk bread, which somehow stays soft and sweet even after a day or two in the fridge. We like the panko-breaded pork katsu variety that comes with a tangy katsu sauce, but the light and fluffy egg salad is a close second. There’s also a whole section of fruit-and-cream-based dessert sandwiches in case you’ve ever wondered how to make a multi-course sandwich meal. And if you have commitment issues, you can grab variety packs that feature up to eight different half-sandwiches, ensuring you never have to eat more than three bites of the same thing. What to get: Classic katsu sando" - nicolai mccrary

"Unlike other spots on this list, Choo Sando is a grab-and-go operation. Every day, you’ll find a few daily boxes that come with printed menus of what each fish is, where it’s from, and its favorite TV show (one of those might not be true). All of the fish gets dry-aged for two to three days to bring out rich flavors and excellent texture. And despite being served cold, the rice never feels dry or hard. Grab a box for lunch, but if you want the full experience, you’ll need to place a pre-order online for one of the take-home omakase boxes. They come wrapped up with a bow, which makes it feel like a present—it’s especially fitting since the fish selection is a surprise." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion

"While most people know this counter-service Rosedale restaurant for its great Japanese sandwiches, its sushi box selection shouldn’t be overlooked. The array often features exquisite pieces of fish such as bluefin tuna, salmon, and scallops. There are a variety of lunch sushi boxes available as grab-and-go to eat in the small, cheery restaurant or its few outdoor tables (or order online). Or, go big and preorder an omakase with sides for up to five people." - Nadia Chaudhury

"The pop-up grew into a physical restaurant in 2022 in the Rosedale neighborhood, touting its simple and pretty sweet and savory Japanese sandwiches. Takeout orders can be placed in person; there are online preorders; and there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas." - Nadia Chaudhury, Erin Russell

"All of the sandwiches at Choo Sando are sold pre-packaged, chilled, and ready to eat. They’ll also survive a few days in the fridge, meaning you can easily pick them up the night before or on your way out in the morning. We like the classic pork katsu with cabbage slaw, but you should also grab a few fruit sandwiches with housemade whipped cream. Hand them out and prepare to make some new friends." - nicolai mccrary