The Belly Buster Submarines

What is The Belly Buster Submarines? Stationed at 1162 Queen Street East near Jones Avenue, this Leslieville outpost brings the legendary North Toronto submarine institution—founded in 1974 by Chris Passilidis and expanded with the Magen family—straight to the east end. The compact storefront keeps things nostalgic and utilitarian, operating with clean deli counters, bright lighting, and a few high-top seats geared mostly for quick turnover and takeaway.

The Belly Buster Submarines Menu & What to Order Generations of Torontonians swear by the classic Turkey & Bacon Sub, dressed generously with crisp shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and the shop’s signature oil-and-spice house dressing. For heavier indulgence, get the namesake Bellybuster Sub—a hot, messy marvel of thinly sliced roast beef and salami ladled with warm mushroom gravy—or the stacked Bacon Combo. Vegetarians can customize a Veggie Sub with cheese and hot peppers, and no order is complete without a bag of chips, a cold chocolate milk, and a pack of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Know Before You Go This is strictly a counter-service walk-in operation with no reservations, making it ideal for grabbing a quick lunch or taking your paper-wrapped sub over to nearby Leslie Grove Park. Lunch hours and early evenings bring steady neighborhood queues, but the sandwich line moves rapidly. The 501 Queen streetcar stops steps away, while Green P street parking along Queen East provides the easiest vehicle access.