Gold Standard

What is Gold Standard? Tucked into a walk-up takeout window on Neepawa Avenue at 385 Roncesvalles Avenue, Gold Standard is the cult-favourite grab-and-go project spawned by The Federal's Zach Slootsky in partnership with Reunion Coffee Roasters. There is no indoor dining room or sit-down pretension here—just a scorching-hot flat top, gold foil wrappers, and a couple of sidewalk benches where hungry locals gather.

Gold Standard Menu & What to Order The undisputed star is the namesake Gold Standard Breakfast Sandwich, loaded with soft cheddar-scrambled eggs, tangy house aioli, crunchy dill pickles, and hot sauce on a griddled English muffin; ordering it "with the works" (both crispy bacon and sautéed kale) hits every savoury, spicy, and acidic note. If you arrive past morning hours, pivot to the Telway Burger, an authentic Detroit-style slider smashed over thinly shaved onions on a steamed Martin's potato roll, or go meatless with The Alternative featuring garlic mushrooms and hummus. Wash it down with a bottled Mexican Coke, yerba mate soda, or a freshly pulled drip coffee from Reunion Island around the front.

Know Before You Go Everything is strictly walk-up counter service with no reservations, so expect brisk queues during prime weekend brunch hours—though ordering ahead online lets you skip the wait. The 504 King streetcar drops you right at the corner of Roncesvalles and Howard Park, and street parking is available on surrounding residential streets. The kitchen slings sandwiches daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but hit the window early before the griddle gets overwhelmed.