MONTREAL - I like paninis, but I was never comfortable using the word love when it came to describing my feelings towards them. Maybe it’s because I like my lettuce, tomato and veggies to be cold and crispy, not warm and soggy in my sandwich. However, Joe’s Panini has changed that for me. Their chicken panini is the best I’ve had, not just in the city, but in my entire Panini eating experience.
When it comes to food I think many people can agree that sauce really matters. Even if your main ingredient is well marinated and spiced, if it’s dry the meal will definitely lose points. At Joe’s I like to add a little hot sauce (it’s mostly mild and slightly tangy) to my chicken panini and voila! it’s just perfect.
Located conveniently on St. Catherine’s and Drummond, Joe’s is the perfect place to grab lunch in between some shopping or running errands. It’s also located opposite the YMCA, close to the downtown Concordia campus, and it’s open 24 hours so there’s really no excuse to not pass by. I took my grandma (who’s visiting from New York) there last week and she wanted to stock up on some sandwiches for her train journey back!
The paninis are all 5.50 $ and you can choose from a variety of cold cuts like spicy turkey, roast beef, philly cheese steak and tuna if you’re not convinced by now that the chicken will change your life.
Joe’s is small but has a few tables inside where you can munch on your sandwich whilst enjoying the rapport/conversation the staff have with some of their regulars. I got the chance to sit down with owner of Joe’s Panini, Ari, to find out who this mysterious Joe is and what, in his opinion, makes this little sandwich place so special. Check it out and pass by to see why Joe’s has been around for 33 years.
