Since debuting in 2014, Farrow has found continued success by following that old mantra: quality over quantity. Each spot, including the new 124th Street location, is a small storefront set up where you come in, order one of five sandwich options (the menu rotates every few weeks), grab a seasonally sourced coffee and, if there’s room, a sprinkle-covered dessert made in house.
A lot of sandwich shops seemingly have something to prove, or compensate for, by overloading their buns with fillings and sauce, but Farrow gets it right. Whether meat, veggie or bean-based, you won’t lose half your meal or end up with a soggy bun, even if there’s a fried egg in it. Simply grab your well-filled sandwich and go. — Cory Schachtel
8422 109 St. NW; 9855 76 Ave. NW; 10240 124 St. NW, 780-757-4160; 780-757-0132; 780-249-0085
A hidden gem located in Chinatown, Kanto 98 St. Eatery serves Filipino street food in a well-lit space. While the comic-book art covering the wall certainly gives the place an edgy character, the menu is built around comfort food — fried chicken, bao and barbecue.
Large portions are delivered steaming hot, within minutes of ordering. The puffy and lightweight baos are generously filled with toppings. This means you can savour Kanto’s crispy fried chicken, pork or beef, without getting filled up on bread alone. The Bao Bae isn’t crowned “bae” for no reason – it’s packed with flavour, and the spicy sauce and pickles complement the chicken thoroughly. — Kateryna Didukh
10636 98 St. NW, 780-244-7388
Fried chicken is a meal that’s never really bad, which gives it a weird sort of low expectations. When it’s just OK, most of us are still satisfied because, as Chef Jake Lee says, “Everyone loves fried chicken.” But Seoul Fried Chicken is better than “just OK.” It’s downright delectable.
Walk up to the order window, choose from one of seven chicken flavours (such as spicy Korean BBQ, garlic soy and cilantro lime) and one of five salad options (including kimchi and pickled radish), grab a drink from the fridge and, if there’s room, take a seat. Or take it out (there’s plenty of parking) and enjoy at home, if you can wait that long. Just be sure to raise your expectations first. — Cory Schachtel
7904B 104 St. NW, 780-761-3616,
This article appears in the March 2020 issue of Avenue Edmonton
